Dempsey obs session this evening

[starfinder]

Joo Beng, Vincent (ovc17m), and myself (Gavin) had an impromptu observing session at the Dempsey Road site this evening (Friday the 13th) from around 10pm to midnight.

We were between blocks 8 and 9 (I think).

At that place, the new flood lights at the other end of the grounds are not visible, and at around 11pm, these were switched off. Almost all of the sky was unobstructed from 30 degrees up.

Though the Moon was nearly full and high in the sky, we managed to do some worthwhile observing. The sky was very cloudy when we arrived at 10pm, with only 1 or 2 stars visible.

Then it gradually cleared, so that by 11pm, the sky was mostly (70%+) clear and entire constellations could be seen. The sky stayed clear till we left at midnight. Many stars 30 degrees or more away from the Moon were pin points.

Nice to see so many stars again after a week of complete cloudiness (except a bit of clear skies on Thurs night), the full Moon notwitstanding.

The Pleaides (M45) and M42 and its surrounds were highlights for me through my 100mm bino at 25x. The sight of these 2 areas alone was worth the trip.

We also saw M41 (in Canis Major), M44 (Beehive/Praesepe), the star fields around Capella, etc, plus the Moon, Saturn, etc.

I was thoroughly impressed by the views thru Joo Beng's WO 66mm ED triplet. At 50x, Sirius was totally colour free in focus, and out of focus on both sides. Same too with the Moon and its limb. No colour at all. Did not do a colour test beyond 50x though.

All in all, a very nice time in good company.

[Airconvent]

Hi Gavin
We ought to make you acting CSN coordinator till CC returns! :-)
So were the lights from the pubs really interfering as earlier mentioned?
rich

[starfinder]

So were the lights from the pubs really interfering as earlier mentioned?
rich

Hi Richard,

I did not notice any light-pollution interference from the pubs or any of the other shops there.

Not to say there was none. As the full moon was in the direction of where all the pubs/antique shops are, there was a lot of interference from that which overwhelmed everything else.

The main man-made intereference was from the flood lights to the "left" or north-west of our observing area, about 200m away. These were switched off at around 11pm.

[starfinder]

I have received feedback from someone that some have asked why there was no prior announcement of the above session.

As I stated right at the top, this was an "impromptu observing session".

Dempsey Road is the nearest viable observing site to where I live. It is probably the case for Vincent and Joo Beng too. Thus, it was a neighbourhood private session, and I know that such things happen all the time everywhere in S'pore on an informal basis.

The "Dempsey Clear Skies Network" has been dead for a long time, so this was not a Singastro event in the old sense. In fact, the old regular Singastro get-togethers at Marina South, Dempsey, and Eunos have not happened in a long while. Maybe there is beginning to be a revival, at Bedok, for example.


Further, I did not think on balance that it would have been appropriate to make an announcement or organise such an event on Friday night in our area for two reasons:

First, the week had been extremely cloudy, the worst in a long time. On Friday night itself, the sky conditions were changing a lot.

At 8pm, I thought about the possibility of meeting up and asked the other two at that time if they wanted to meet at 9 plus. Vincent and I only confirmed at around 9.15 to meet at 9.45. Joo Beng confirmed with us later.

Indeed, when Vincent and I arrived, there were only 1 or 2 stars visible in the whole sky. Again, that was stated above in my post. We could well have gone off after 15 mins, but the sky started to clear gradually. If it hadn't, we would not have stayed.

Second, Friday night was very near full moon. And indeed it caused a lot of interference. Again, that was stated above.

Thus, there would be better times to organise forum-wide sessions.


My main purpose of putting the post was to describe the conditions at Dempsey nowadays, and my impression of the WO 66mm triplet ED. Dempsey has changed a lot since 2-3 years ago, with many wine bars there now and lots of traffic.

I wanted to feedback to the forum that the floodlights were switched off at 11pm. So, maybe Dempsey is still a good location late at night, and others might want to go back there.

Ok, that's it! (I speak for myself).

[ovc17m]

Ya, I would like to add on to what Gavin has said. It was indeed a very impromptu session this time. I had to work late on that night, and was still not home yet when I received the private invitation. On the contrary, I only have enough time for me to reach home, change into my casuals and make my way for the session.

The sky was pretty overcast by 9pm and we were still looking into the possibility of putting off the obing. However, since 3 of us stays in the neighbourhood, thought we could meet up for a drink instead if weather remains this way.

Definitely, we hope to build up a localised south-west obing network among us here. It's always more fun to have a bigger crowd, to exchange pointers and of course, foster deeper relations among the Singastroians.

Dun worry guys, weather's turning good as the days progress and I believe we'll have more obing to come in the future! Anyway, I have the contacts of a few others staying near the dempsey area. Would surely post a topic (in advance) here and send out mass sms if there's a more organised and firm-up obing session!

[Airconvent]

fren..don't be so serious lah....since Marina South site is now defunct and CC is not around, the CSN is currently on limbo.

It it helps, for last minute activation, perhaps before anyone goes for an obs, can always sms those within range or does that are likely to come to check if they want to join in...no obligation there of course....let's keep the set up friendly and relaxed....ok?

btw, I am a dempsey guy...so please add me to the list!

[starfinder]

Hi Rich!

Thanks for your post.

I had to put the lengthy post just above bec I was advised in very clear terms that I since I did not make the prior announcement I should have kept quiet about the session or people would feel left out, that "people are complaining" to use the exact words. So I said I would put a post to clarify what happened, in case there is some misunderstanding.

I suppose I should have kept quiet since it became complicated. I agree we should relax, bec this is only a hobby (which by definition is not a serious thing), and this is not a club (with membership fees, structure, etc), only an informal association. Got enough serious things at work, etc.

[ovc17m]

No problem Richard.. i'll add u in the list... haha... ur mobile no?

[weixing]

Hi,
Relax la... As what Airconvent had mention, there is no obligation for anyone in SingAstro to announce their observation session.

Anyway, below are some of my reasons:
Why I announce my observation session:
1. I know where I'm observing and the location is easy for others to join me
2. It's Chinese 7th month, so... ha ha ha

Why I don't announce my observation session:
1. Basically, I don't know where I'll be going for observation
2. Last minute observation

Have a nice day.

[jermng]

WX,
No wonder when I was still in-camp during the 7th month period always see you post for ob ... And I always felt so left out .... Luckily I couldn't go with you during that period .. HAHAHA ... =)

Anyway, I agree ... I think Astro is a hobby for all of us ... I do ob alone alot of times and sometimes I'll just pop an SMS to a random SingAstro-er ... Sometimes all the way in Tampines, sometimes just 10mins drive from my place ... Sometimes from the Central area ... and sometimes everybody's name that says "Astro" behind it .. hee ...
So Gavin, I guess we're not obligated to invite any or everyone .. so dun feel guilty or bad .. hee ...
Though it'll be good to start getting regular ob sessions down again ... I miss the "old" Changi NSRCC days when I first started where there'll be pple there every 2-3 weeks ... =)

BTW, I invited my parents for an ob by the pool today - my mum loves Saturn and the moon ... hee hee .. but my SCT wasn;t well collimated, and the atmosphere was super unstable ... so ..I guess I didn't do Astronomy justice .. hee ...