There will be a meetup at the Sugarloaf at 7.30 on Friday 4th.

www.meetup.com/The-Dublin-Stargazers-Group/events/283584930/

Hello all. 

I see that on Friday night the 3.6 day old crescent Moon is extremely close to an M class star called HIP 1033 at around 8pm. Other designations are: TYC 4667 671, SAO 128642 or HD 853. 
The star's magnitude is 7.4. It should be nice and very close to the north pole of the Moon. 
It's not a grazing occultation however. 
But never mind.
I would say we should notice its orange colour without much hassle - even at minimum magnification. 
And I know M class stars are supposed to be red; but probably not on this occasion. 

Clear skies from Aubrey.  

That is a cold, stiff breeze out there, if it does not abate throughout the day, will there be a change of venue?
I will not be there until after 8 at some time.

Paul

According to the weather websites I check we are to have clear skies until 2am. 

The winds are to decrease from 21 mph to 12 to 17 mph tonight. 

Either way we will have to wrap up well. 
Temperatures are going to be 3 to 4 degrees Celsius. 

In the meantime, I've to visit my doctor at 2pm for a precautionary measure. 
Hopefully I'm okay for tonight. 
I'm having an early dinner. 

Best regards from Aubrey. 

 

Hi Paul,

The wind may be an issue but the forecast for Trooperstown is worse than for the Sugarloaf at the moment.  I think we'll play it by ear this evening.

We'll wait until 8 for you but can you text me if you think you might be later. I'll ring you if we decide to move before you arrive.

Michael.

Hi Michael 
It will definitely be after 8, just send a text if you decide to move.

Paul 

Hello all. 

I've been given the all clear from the doctor. 
So I will be at the Sugarloaf alright. 

I'm putting all my goodies in the car after lunch. 
7 layers of clothing tonight for me. 

Don't forget the cap!

See you all later. 

Clear skies from Aubrey. 

See you there Aubrey,

Michael.

Is Darren coming?
Come in, Darren!
Are you receiving us? Over!



I'm looking forward to seeing Michael and Paul. 
My skies are clearing all the time now. 
My scope and everything else is no loaded up. 

Aubrey. 

 

The meetup is going ahead this evening.  See you there.

Michael.

Hi All, 

Sorry for going AWOL earlier, bit mad in the house, and I then ended up falling asleep as I am still not right. In saying that I'll frop down to say hello. 

I hope you're feeling OK Aubrey. 

All the best 
Darren. 

Thank you, Darren, for your message. 

Well I went home once I got to Trooperstown. 
It seems so unexpectedly far away from the Sugarloaf.  

And I then discovered the car was running seriously low on diesel. 
Thankfully I got home with 15 kms to spare. Phew!
In years gone by I used to take part in an economy fuel run - no kidding
So I was capable at driving very economically to get home a full 60kms on this Friday night.   
No doubt if I had a petrol car with an automatic gearbox, disaster would have struck.

In the end- I'm sorry, but I should have stayed at home. I would have had a great time in my backyard for those few hours under clear skies.
Lesson learned!

Bye for now, Aubrey. 
 

Hi Aubrey,

Sorry I missed you on Friday, but I was glad to hear you made it back home safely. I understand that if a car runs out of diesel it's quite serious because it would need to be primed.

While I left the scope behind, Ben kindly set up his 100 X 25 binoculars for me. I managed to have a look at the Orion Nebula, and the Pleides. Both objects looked stunning in the binoculars, but the cold got the better of me, so I didn't hang around long. Ben, Michael, and Paul were hoping to photograph some objects - I wonder how they got on?

I hope it won't be too long before I'm back out with the 10" again. as it seems like an age since I was out under the stars with it.

Clear skies,

Darren.

 

That's great news, Darren. 

I had no idea you were in Trooperstown on Friday night. 

Those binoculars sure are the business. 
Well done on observing M 42 and M 45.
 I'm certain the Orion Nebula and the Pleiades looked stunning. 

I do have a report as to what I observed on Sunday night. 
I'll fill everyone on Monday.
One of them is a right beauty of a double star. 

Very best regards from Aubrey. . 

Hi Aubrey, 

It was more of a quick 'hello' as I was (and still am) under the weather. 

​​​I just resist taking a quick peek at those two fine Messier objects last Friday. And I'm sure glad I did. 

Clear skies, 

Darren.