Roy wrote:

skynotes wrote:

... as for the Tetrapod footprints I know that they're
still closed off to the public after the big storm in Feb
but I also know that you can see them with a good set
of binos that I'm sure alot of us would have..

All, I was down in the Glen last weekend. Great clear nights, although the focus was on entertaining / socialising and the consumption of .... refreshments, so there was not much formal observing done.

I did check out the site at the lodge, and assuming that some local houses co-operate, it should be fine. I also checked out the tetrapod foot prints, and they are "open" for business (no bino's required).
For those that haven't been down there before, the Slate Quarry / Grotto, nearby on Valencia, is also well worth a visit (and also free).

Regards,

Noel.

What's the situation with the food BTW?

Do we bring our own and cook on site or are we planning to invade a local town like a plague of locusts?

Paul

Hi Paul..

It's gonna be a bit of both..
Those that want to head into
the town for something can do so
but Frida told me that we can have full
use of the kitchen, So I for one will be cooking
my own stuff.

Cheers Roy

#ClearSkies #LunarNut

Reading up about the area, I see planning permission has been granted to build an observatory within in the reserve on valentia island.

www.valentiaisland.ie/news-updates/dark-...ain-valentia-island/

The bird watchers aren't happy about star wars filming on Skellig Michael at the minute

OK Guys..

I have all the questions done up for the
table quiz.
There will be 5 rounds consisting of 60
questions.
There are 2 Astronomy based rounds
and 3 other round consisting of 1990's
music, The Simpsons and Sports trivia.
So you can all start swatting up now.

Cheers Roy

#ClearSkies #LunarNut

Oh dear

The last time I bought a record was in 1978 ("Some Girls" by the Stones, their last decent record), I've never seen a full episode of the Simpsons and I don't know very much about sport, except for Manchester United (some would say that means I don't know very much about football either).

Looking forward to the star party,good to know the tetrapod foot prints are open as I have an interest in that area as well,all we need now is clear and warm weather.

stevie wrote:

Oh dear

The last time I bought a record was in 1978 ("Some Girls" by the Stones, their last decent record), I've never seen a full episode of the Simpsons and I don't know very much about sport, except for Manchester United (some would say that means I don't know very much about football either).

Ah don't worry Stevie..
Just sit there and look pretty
and let your team do the work.

Cheers Roy

#ClearSkies #LunarNut

Well Done Roy for sticking with this and making it happen. I have just read the whole thread (took me a while).
After a fair few public observing events Meath Astronomy Group has officially started as a club in August (still yet to join IFAS). As part of the club proposal we have determined that we would like to do some charity type events 'Astronomy for Charity' along with outreach/public and club observing nights. To celebrate our 5 day anniversary : ) may I suggest that I bring a BBQ and make some homemade pork sausages which I will donate and cook either on the Friday evening before dark or on the Saturday evening. We would then charge a small fee for sausage rolls for those who are interested in dinner and the proceeds go to Barnardos? Hopefully this becomes an annual event and maybe a charity BBQ can become a tradition. For those who want to bring their own meat they would be more than welcome to share my fire. ps. I have already checked with mademoiselle Freda and she is happy for me to bring a BBQ as the last one she had blew away in the last storm! (touch wood).

Hi Kevin..

First let me start by congratulating you
guys from the Meath Astronomy Club
for yer persistence in getting a club up and
running.. I know that can't be easy, so well done.

As for the BBQ idea for the Skelligs Star Party
I think it's a great idea and I would be happy
to do anything for Barnardos(And I love a tasty bbq sausage).

So if it's Okay with Frida, then it's extra fine by me
if you guys attend with your BBQ.. I might bring a few steaks
and burgers and use your fire.

Cheers Roy

#ClearSkies #LunarNut

Hi Guys..

Just got off the phone with Frida
and she let me know that she has put
up a few fliers in the local area
I.E post office and other local stores
so a big thank you to her for that.

She also said that 22 people have booked
rooms and she only has 1-twin room,1 double room
and 3 beds in a dorm left.

Looking forward to seeing you all
in a couple of week.

@ Seanie Morris
A reminder of the projector and screen, also what ever
cables and bits we need to hook up our laptops. Thank you

Cheers Roy

#ClearSkies #LunarNut

Hi Guys..

Some of the guys from the South Kerry Astronomy Club
will be attending for the weekend(great news)
They have also invited us over the weekend to visit
the new Dark Sky office as well as the Astronomy Centre
in Waterville..

They also wanted me to ask if anyone going
would be able to do a time lapse video of
1 of the nights observing...

ATTENTION
Stephen wants me to let you know that he will be
bringing only a few items with him as he wants to travel light, so if anybody wants
anything in particular from him you should contact
him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call 0852288692..

Cheers Roy

#ClearSkies #Lunarnut

All booked !

Hi all,

Given that this is an observing weekend, will there be an official YES/NO decision next week prior to the weekend based on the forecast OR will it definitely happen regardless of the forecast and hope we get lucky? Weather forecasting is not an exact science and has been known to get it wrong!

Thanks

Neill

Neill wrote:

Hi all,

Given that this is an observing weekend, will there be an official YES/NO decision next week prior to the weekend based on the forecast OR will it defintiely happen regardless of the forecast and hope we get lucky? Weather forecasting is not an exact science and has been known to get it wrong!

Thanks

Neill

I'm going down regardless. If the weather is carp I'll have a look at the local attractions such as the Tetrapod footprints.

Michael.

l[/quote]

I'm going down regardless. If the weather is carp I'll have a look at the local attractions such as the Tetrapod footprints.

Michael.[/quote]

I 2nd Michael, My moto in life is:
"If you don't roll the dice you can't win, you MIGHT lose, But you CAN'T win if you don't roll"

Cheers Roy

#ClearSkies #LunarNut

Hey Guys..

Here are a few long range weather forecast pic's
for the weekend of the Skelligs Star Party

Cheers Roy

#ClearSkies #LunarNut

Roy, As a regular visitor to the area, I would strongly recommend not putting faith in the long (or even too much in the short) term forecast. Because the area is backed by mountains, the normal weather (coming from the west) comes in and rises up over the mountains. So south of the mountains, is normally different to the main forecast (even in terms of cloud cover). The same, but different, with weather from other directions.

My suggestion ... don't worry too much about the forecast ... unless it's really bad.

Hi Lino..

I never worry bout the weather
I just bite the bullet, come hell
or high water, I'll be there in all
My glory..
As Michael Murphy said, there is
loads to do should the weather not
be on our side..

Cheers Roy
#ClearSkies #LunarNut

If the worst comes to the worst, it will be great to get together with people who love astronomy, even if we are unlucky enough to get no observing, it will still be a great weekend.

Paul

lunartic wrote:

If the worst comes to the worst, it will be great to get together with people who love astronomy, even if we are unlucky enough to get no observing, it will still be a great weekend.

Paul

I dito that Paul..
There will be a lot to do
over the weekend with talks,
workshops , BBQ and the table quiz..
Also there are a lot of things to do in between. .

Cheers Roy

#ClearSkies #LunarNut

Will be joining the fun too. Look forward to seeing you all there.
Will bring some burgers to contribute.

Jouke

Nice1 Jouke..
See you in a couple
Of days.

Cheers Roy

#ClearSkies #LunarNut

Hey Guys & Gals..

Check this out.. Thanks to Dave Connolly for this.

www.theweatheroutlook.com/twoforecasts/f...Ballinskelligs&day=7

Cheers Roy

#ClearSkies #LunarNut

Hi all,

Details of ISS and Iridium Flares for the weekend:

Date Brightness Start Highest point End Pass type
(mag) Time Alt. Az. Time Alt. Az. Time Alt. Az.
23 Aug -0.4 21:30:18 10° SW 21:31:02 11° SW 21:31:46 10° SSW

Time Brightness Altitude Azimuth Satellite Distance to flare centre Brightness at flare centre Sun altitude
Aug 23, 00:28:52 -4.3 24° 246° (WSW) Iridium 72 22 km (W) -7.0 -25°
Aug 23, 04:14:17 -0.7 15° 96° (E) Iridium 97 105 km (E) -6.1 -19°
Aug 23, 04:23:28 -2.9 18° 97° (E) Iridium 5 53 km (W) -6.3 -18°
Aug 24, 00:22:54 -1.9 25° 247° (WSW) Iridium 62 57 km (E) -7.1 -25°
Aug 24, 00:31:47 -0.3 21° 248° (WSW) Iridium 63 91 km (W) -6.8 -25°
Aug 24, 04:08:04 0.7 15° 98° (E) Iridium 7 164 km (E) -6.1 -20°
Aug 24, 04:17:13 -6.2 18° 100° (E) Iridium 8 5 km (E) -6.3 -19°
Aug 24, 04:26:27 0.9 21° 101° (E) Iridium 96 156 km (W) -6.5 -18°