12 replies to this topic

[archer1960]

I'm starting this thread to get the Rhode Island discussion out of the topic(s) where it doesn't fit. The idea is just to see how many of us there are, and maybe connect offline, if interested.

 

As an introduction, I live in Wakefield and image (mostly; very little visual) from my back balcony. I was a volunteer at Frosty Drew Observatory in Ninigret park for a few years a while back, and still go down there occasionally. I've been to Scituate a couple of times, the first time was to buy my first goto mount from a member there, probably 15 - 20 yrs ago.

 

[Challenger75]

Warwick, RI chiming in!

[Matt-W]

Shout out from Coventry! I image primarily as well from my driveway. I've been to Frosty a number of times but haven't had the chance to visit Seagrave yet unfortunately. Looking forward to checking out the new Planewave RC at Ninigret soon though. 

[archer1960]

Shout out from Coventry! I image primarily as well from my driveway. I've been to Frosty a number of times but haven't had the chance to visit Seagrave yet unfortunately. Looking forward to checking out the new Planewave RC at Ninigret soon though. 

I haven't looked through it yet, but I got a good look at it in the daylight once. Very impressive setup!

[Lucas.Maguire]

West Warwick here, backyard imager and frequent visitor to Ninigret park but not a FDO member. 

 

The planewave is a beast and have seen it in action at night a few times when Scott was working it on his messier catalog. 

[Victory Pete]

West Greenwich here. I am a new member of Skyscrapers but haven't met anyone there yet.

[swsantos]

Cumberland here, mostly observe from my front or backyard, sometimes in Narragansett where I also have a place. Have been to Ninigret (first time just last summer which was awesome) and Seagrave once and have thought about joining Skyscrapers now for many years but haven’t yet done so. Maybe I should join.

[Bubblehead_Mike]

Not in RI, but close. Groton, CT. Always wanting to visit Frosty Drew, but never making the time. Imaging from my backyard because I haven't bought a power pack yet.

[archer1960]

Not in RI, but close. Groton, CT. Always wanting to visit Frosty Drew, but never making the time. Imaging from my backyard because I haven't bought a power pack yet.

Active duty, or ex?

[Bubblehead_Mike]

Active duty, or ex?

Ex. Retired about a year and a half ago.

[Challenger75]

Soon to be an ex-Rhode Islander. Sold the house and will be moving to Florida by end of June. Tomorrow night 5/27 is a star party at Ninigret Park in Charlestown from 8pm-10:30pm in support of keeping Ninigret a dark sky. Expecting a good turnout. Member/s of Frosty Drew will be in attendance.  

[archer1960]

Thanks for mentioning that star party at Frosty Drew; I would have missed it otherwise. I took the opportunity to dig up my visual stuff for the first time in a long time and had a great time. I took my AT72EDII on my AZ-GTI, which was the first real use for that mount, it it was terrific. It handled that scope with no issues at all, even at 100x, which is where I kept it most of the night for the public to get a pretty close-up view of the moon. I also took my 4" acromat at low power on the moon as well, and people seemed to like the contrast between the two magnification level.

 

The conditions were pretty much perfect for an event like this. The seeing was great, the best I've seen in a long time, the sky was crystal clear, and the temperatures were very comfortable. A LOT of people turned out, both with their scopes, and the general public just looking through them and through the big FDO scope. I would guess at least 150 people showed up and there were probably a dozen scopes of various sizes and styles set up in the yard.

[Victory Pete]

I am glad the event went well. I couldn't attend, I am in New Hampshire right now.  

Edited by Victory Pete, Yesterday, 05:27 PM.