Quarterly Novice Session at Lake Hefner, Windsurfer’s Point on Saturday, Apr 12th. Will start at 7pm to help with equipment setup and operation.
Sunset is at 8:01pm and the moon rises at 8:02pm.
If you’re planning to come out, please post on here the type of equipment you are bringing or what you would like help with.
I am bringing a Celestron Nexstar 8SE. I recently purchased it and need help with calibration and getting up and running with it (my son and I are pretty new to this). I have Starsense AutoAlign and Skyportal Wifi Module.
Welcome!
That’s a very nice setup. I’m sure you’ll be able to get the help you need. I have a 6SE (same mount as the 8SE). There’s a bit of a learning curve, and once mastered that unit will give you and your son great viewing pleasure.
Try to arrive at 7 while there’s plenty of daylight to set up and practice.
The weather looks favorable!
Marv Halsey
I will bring out my Seestar S50 and demonstrate the new EQ mode.
I plan on being there to hang out with all you wonderful people.
Great, Tilley! Bring your daughter, if avalable. She’s a great asset to your progress in our shared hobby!
I’m hoping to be there as well. I’ve configured my Hestia to work with a slightly heavier tripod. It also allows me to point straight up. And may have also solved the problem of the phone falling off, not tested that yet.
I am hoping she comes with me; she’s been asking for another chance to hang out. I hope the weather is nice.
The Wx looks good, but a bit windy.
Please Note that we start long before sunset to enable daylight setup and help for novices getting started.
That said, there’ll be a nice moon to look at and Jupiter after 8:30. Some doubles will be visible. You can hunt doubles even under a full moon!
The skies at Windsurfers Point are not as dark as CRO, but even watching the sunset over the lake is enjoyable!
And you guys hanging out with us is our pleasure, too!
Marv Halsey
I’ll be bringing my Celestron 6SE to help with learning Altitude Azimuth Celestron mounts.
ALL novices are welcome, with or without equipment!!
Bringing my old Celestron 9.25" SCD w/ new Starsense Autoalign, looking for help getting it aligned
which is Windsurfer Point?
If you are looking for how to get there here is the calendar link with location.
I may not make it after all, come down sick overnight. Ugh
Get well, Joel! I’m going to be able to make it. I hope we don’t get blown away!
I will come out and hang out.
So far the winds are not too bad. Enjoy the evening, learn something!
Something came up for me and Marissa - we wont make it tonight after all. sad to miss it - i hope you all have a great time!
Despite some fairly strong winds, we had a lot of folks attend Novice Night last night! I counted at lest 16 folks, plus a few folks that stopped by while walking along the lake.
We had two teams of our members helping folks get Star Sense working on their scopes! Thanks to all who helped them!
Hannah set up her reflector and was successful in viewing several solar system and DSOs.
Jim Day got his S50 up and running behind a makeshift wind screen. I set up my new S30 and got some very shaky images.
With the wind, it wasn’t a good observing night, but it was a very successful Novice Night for helping folks get their gear working correctly! Thanks again to everyone who came out and helped others!
What Mitche said!
It was a great night despite the wind! Jbro and son, Eli, got their StarSense up, running, and calibrated. Thanks to all the members that showed up and help novice astronomers!
Marv Halsey