Hi,
Is anyone interested in going to Batu Layar for an overnight observing trip this Sat, 22nd July?
We'll meet at 2pm at Changi Village and take the ferry over to Johor. We will stay till 7am the next morning. Bring water, snack, something to sit or lie on, possible rain cover, long sleeves and repellent to minimise the sandfly bites, and whatever other equipment you need. It will cost $20+ for transport to and fro.
Please contact me if interested.
Cheers,
Chris
July 22nd Batu Laya trip
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Canopus Lim
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David Lian
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"The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance." Batu Layar Misadventure 
'
Ok. Here's the report for our 'trip' to Batu Laya. Rlow and I feel that we should share this experience for the benefit of everyone.
Initially we had only four responses, Canopus, David Lian, Rlow and I, but just before the trip David and Canopus had to pull out due to unfortunate circumstances. So, Rlow and I just decided to go ahead anyway.
We were initally supposed to meet at Changi Village at 2.30 pm, but ended up getting there quite late at only 3+. It was very unfortunate that two boats were fully booked before us and we were the first two on the third boat after them. We had to wait for other people to join us.
The customs at Malaysia close around 5 and the last boat leaves around 4pm, but just before 4pm, a family of 5 joined us. The problem about going later and taking the last boat is that the bumboat operators are all private - they can simply refuse to take you if you don't want, especially since they will not be able to take anyone on the return trip. We agreed to pay $11 each instead of the normal $7, but due to an unfortunate misunderstanding, the boatman got angry and walked away, leaving us stranded. (note that it wasn't our fault!
)
So lesson 1: Go early.
Lesson 2: Must understand the boatmen/situation.
Anyway, while waiting for the boat, we started talking to 2 people who were going to a temple near Batu Laya. They told us that the sky was very clear at the temple, and that they were interested to know more about the stars. In fact, they invited us to observe from the temple grounds and we arranged to have dinner and travel together. We were happy to check out the temple area as an ob site and to show them the stars. What a waste that this did not happen.
So, guess what, we went to Ubin. And guess what, we bumped into Hannah and Neoterryjohn, who were coming back from a Chek Jawa cleanup! So we had dinner together and chatted before they went back to the mainland. After dark we arranged for a taxi to bring us to a spot near the thai temple, and fetch us back in the morning. We paid $15 for the round trip.
The ob site was just along the road, by a field, and very open all around. The light pollution was still present, but the sky in the northeast was pretty dark. Clouds hampered our observing all night, and we only got a clear patch for about an hour between 1 and 2am.. We were able to catch most of the usual objects - M6,M7,6321,M22,M17,M15,M57,M27,Albireo,M11, etc. - but only briefly. Better than nothing though.
Well, perhaps lucky that others did not join us - they probably would have been dissapointed - but it was an interesting experience nonetheless. I hope to be able to try Batu Layar again soon. Will try arrange with the people we met and see whether they can show us the temple area next time.
Clear skies!
Chris
'Ok. Here's the report for our 'trip' to Batu Laya. Rlow and I feel that we should share this experience for the benefit of everyone.
Initially we had only four responses, Canopus, David Lian, Rlow and I, but just before the trip David and Canopus had to pull out due to unfortunate circumstances. So, Rlow and I just decided to go ahead anyway.
We were initally supposed to meet at Changi Village at 2.30 pm, but ended up getting there quite late at only 3+. It was very unfortunate that two boats were fully booked before us and we were the first two on the third boat after them. We had to wait for other people to join us.
The customs at Malaysia close around 5 and the last boat leaves around 4pm, but just before 4pm, a family of 5 joined us. The problem about going later and taking the last boat is that the bumboat operators are all private - they can simply refuse to take you if you don't want, especially since they will not be able to take anyone on the return trip. We agreed to pay $11 each instead of the normal $7, but due to an unfortunate misunderstanding, the boatman got angry and walked away, leaving us stranded. (note that it wasn't our fault!
) So lesson 1: Go early.
Lesson 2: Must understand the boatmen/situation.
Anyway, while waiting for the boat, we started talking to 2 people who were going to a temple near Batu Laya. They told us that the sky was very clear at the temple, and that they were interested to know more about the stars. In fact, they invited us to observe from the temple grounds and we arranged to have dinner and travel together. We were happy to check out the temple area as an ob site and to show them the stars. What a waste that this did not happen.
So, guess what, we went to Ubin. And guess what, we bumped into Hannah and Neoterryjohn, who were coming back from a Chek Jawa cleanup! So we had dinner together and chatted before they went back to the mainland. After dark we arranged for a taxi to bring us to a spot near the thai temple, and fetch us back in the morning. We paid $15 for the round trip.
The ob site was just along the road, by a field, and very open all around. The light pollution was still present, but the sky in the northeast was pretty dark. Clouds hampered our observing all night, and we only got a clear patch for about an hour between 1 and 2am.. We were able to catch most of the usual objects - M6,M7,6321,M22,M17,M15,M57,M27,Albireo,M11, etc. - but only briefly. Better than nothing though.
Well, perhaps lucky that others did not join us - they probably would have been dissapointed - but it was an interesting experience nonetheless. I hope to be able to try Batu Layar again soon. Will try arrange with the people we met and see whether they can show us the temple area next time.
Clear skies!
Chris
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Airconvent
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sorry about your misadventure, chris and richardII ..
But at least it was not a total waste....dinner with a lady and some stars to see!
I must admire you "pioneers" always on the look out to open new "markets"..heh heh. If not for the distance there, I think Mersing remains my favourite choice....can reach by car and no risky water crossing.
Lets hope some kind soul will be able to find a nice clean and safe Mersing-like spot less than 1 hr drive from Singapore...Singapore skies have not been good (at my place anyway) for months already...
I've got some new purchases that have been bought for months and have yet to see first light!
But at least it was not a total waste....dinner with a lady and some stars to see!
I must admire you "pioneers" always on the look out to open new "markets"..heh heh. If not for the distance there, I think Mersing remains my favourite choice....can reach by car and no risky water crossing.
Lets hope some kind soul will be able to find a nice clean and safe Mersing-like spot less than 1 hr drive from Singapore...Singapore skies have not been good (at my place anyway) for months already...
I've got some new purchases that have been bought for months and have yet to see first light!
The Boldly Go Where No Meade Has Gone Before
Captain, RSS Enterprise NCC1701R
United Federation of the Planets
Captain, RSS Enterprise NCC1701R
United Federation of the Planets
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neoterryjoe
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