Jupiter, the Moon & Cane Toads

NT Dark Skies
Our first viewing night in quite a while was held on Sat the 26th March at the Gove Country Golf club, to view the close conjunction of Jupiter & the Moon.
The evening started with cloud from a big thunderstorm nearby, rolling overhead, blanketing the sky.
Distant lighting was visible in the early evening, fortunately though we sat it out.
Despite this early cloud we managed to get a good view of the conjunction.
One of our newest astronomers saw first light through his 8" dobsonian telescope, a close conjunction between Jupiter & the moon was a great way to start.
We managed to get a good look at Saturn as well, always a pleasing sight.
The evenings entertainment was supplemented by a group of "enthusiastic" young men out with their 4WD & golf clubs for a bit of "Cane Toad Golf", in the bush adjacent to the golf club.
If you are a Queenslander, you will know what this is all about!
You would have to say this came as an entertaining surprise to one of our guests for the evening, having only recently arrived in Nhulunbuy from the cultured shores of France (A bit of "Sport" NT style)
Our next observing night will be on Saturday the 2nd April @ our dark sky site on the Dhupma rd, 1.3 km past the end of the bitumen, look for the signs.

NT Dark Skies

NT Dark Skies
Well not much Astronomy happening here at the moment.
Earth tremors one week & a Big Cat 4 Cyclone the next, will be busy for the next week cleaning up, from cyclone Ingrid!
When the weather does clear though, we will be waiting ready to go!