December stargazing event @ Blackheath

I agree... if it's going to be any day, it'll be Friday. Not holding out too much hope though... the forecast still looks poor!

If we have to cancel both days, hopefully we can arrange a short notice event before Xmas when the weather conditions look more favourable.

Rarely known a month quite like the one we've just had. Four Atlantic storms on the bounce... just appalling conditions for observing.

So say whatever is decided,  would you be able to confirm something by tomorrow you reckon?

I agree these back to back storms were really bad.

I think we can be certain that we will target Friday instead of Saturday... but we wouldn't make the final "go/no-go" decision until the day of the event (probably mid-afternoon).

With the amount of uncertainty in the weather forecast, we can't do any more.

Cheers Mike.

I'll check tomorrow's weather forecast when I wake up and if the weather looks clear,  i'll drag my kit to work and then to the event.

Friday it is. Go/no-go decision at 4pm tomorrow evening.

http://flamsteed.info/event/blackheath-observing-friday-11-december/

Cheers for letting me know Mike. Much appreciated

You can count on another scope being present at the event tomorrow 🙂

Nice to see everyone on Friday, pity the clouds betrayed us and the earlier forecast but it was still as always and enjoyable meet.  No to mention the mulled wine and mince pies went down a treat.  Thanks Rupert!

Oh, and I no longer hold the crown for the nuttiest guy to haul 40kg telescope systems on buses and trains....take a bow souls33k3r, for your huge effort to haul your even heavier NEQ6 Pro and 8" SCT on trains from East London!  Great enthusiasm and awesomely mad!   Dont forget you can lessen that counterweight load by getting an extension shaft so you can just use the one 5Kg counterweight instead of carrying two of them.

hahahahaha that made me giggle Tej ... thank you i guess 😀 The whole trip would've been even sweeter if i had the chance to even take my kit out but darn them counter weights which i forgot to bring them in lol that should've added to another 10.2Kgs.

The NEQ6 does indeed come with a counter weight extension shaft so will give the balancing of the scope a go by putting that on and using only one. If that works then that's 5.1Kgs less weight.

Friday was just a total disaster for me to be quite frank, firstly it was a real mission dragging all that kit in to the tubes and then bringing it to work, then i forgot the cigarette splitter so went all the way back to get it during lunch, then while i was coming to this event (while being on the train) i realised i forgot the counter weight, then i accidently drank the mulled wine (OMG moment lol) thinking it was coffee (my knowledge of spirits is next to nothing since i don't drink) ... made me feel a little giggly for a bit in which me, Tej & Dave (the new member) had a right laugh.

Even though kit wise and viewing wise it wasn't ideal but i really enjoyed my time with you fine folks as usual. Great company, really good advice by Rupert ... made a believer out of me for the APM scopes.

Having sees Mike's and another person (sorry can't remember his name) APM 100-800, i am going to start saving for this bad boy.