A few shots from Lostock

[h0ughy]

well it was and is a sight to behold!

[phoenix]

Very nice shots Houghy. :welldone: :welldone:

[Radar]

That tail fan is just huge. We were at a dark sky place as well on Saturday night and could not beleive how large the tail actually was. This was the first time we had seen it from a dark location. It was the best view we had seen of it yet.

Nice shots mate. I love the second one.

[orion]

Nice one Houghy.....not bad at all!

[AstroBob]

Job well done mate. :thumbsupmate:

I notice some cloud there. Did it stay clear for you guys?

[Astro Dave]

Amazing comet this one. I reckon probably the most imaged comet in history. Radar, you would have filled a scrapbook I guess? I know Shevill has some brilliant shots as well.

Err, pardon my ignorance but, for the benefit of myself and others - what or where is Lostock??

[h0ughy]

Amazing comet this one. I reckon probably the most imaged comet in history. Radar, you would have filled a scrapbook I guess? I know Shevill has some brilliant shots as well.

Err, pardon my ignorance but, for the benefit of myself and others - what or where is Lostock??

Lostock is in the HUnter Valley, NSW near Newcastle/Maitland. There were over 80 People on Mount Dissapointment looking at this comet, including a large number of prominant astrophotographers. That was where over 170 people attended an Astrocamp in January 2007

[Astro Dave]

RADAR, do you have these Lostock thingy's way over there in your neck of the woods mate?

[beren]

I think there's a few in the West but not on the same scale as those on the eastern seaboard.

[Radar]

There are star groups every new moon, even groups that meet up during a full moon called Lunatics, from the Astronomical Society of Western Australia.

Being an astrophotographer, I stay well clear of humans when I go bush somewhere (so you would be fine Dave:Chessy_Smile: ).

I find torch lights, cigarette smoke, people moving around can be quite dangerous during a 60 minute film exposure. Not so bad with CCD or DSLR, (still annoying) but at least you can just delete the affected frame, with film, one error and the photo is ruined.

One thing that cracks me up with is that when we are out in the middle of nowhere in a group of about ten or twenty, our cars are always parked quite close to the observing area. Some astronomers always feel the need to lock and unlock their car with their alarm, which means flashing indicators everytime. This obviously ruins our dark adapted vision and also any photo someone would be doing. I laugh inside (because you have to), but I can't help but think who is going to walk 100kms into the bush to steal a car from us?

I know some astronomers like showing their kids and noobies the constellations with their laser pointers, and I don't like to be in their way. People are always concious of my photography, but I am concious of their new ten watt laser pointer to, and I feel that going out with a group of visual astronomers to do astrophotography limits what they can do. I don't feel comfortable having people change their plans for mine. So I usually go bush by myself.

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Radar,

You have the right idea there, I do the same and do not consider doing any serious stuff in group situations, it's always the 'once in a lifetime' shot when someone turns their headlights on etc.

Clear skies... without people...

[Astro Dave]

Lostock is in the HUnter Valley, NSW near Newcastle/Maitland. There were over 80 People on Mount Dissapointment looking at this comet, including a large number of prominant astrophotographers. That was where over 170 people attended an Astrocamp in January 2007

Just a question Houghy, I'm curious, who were the prominant [sic] astrophotographers?

[h0ughy]

Just a question Houghy, I'm curious, who were the prominant [sic] astrophotographers?
well Dave,
Mike Sidonio, Mike Salway, Paul Mayo, Scott Alder, Anthony Wesley, Narayan Mukkavilli,Tony Hitchcock to name a few. I hope that may satisfy some of the curiosity you have. Being tied up with my own little part in this I did not see everyone who was there, but I am sure there is a list somewhere, but since I am not allowed to post links to other competing astro forums I must refrain from doing this. Dave, i am sure that you have researched this a little bit?

There is a photo showing a huge variety and eclectic mix of Nikon's, Canons, Pentax, minolta cameras on a ridge top all clicking the same object.........