Eta Carinae nebula by Hendy & Will
Canon 20D, Takahashi FSQ 106-N 530mm f5 refractor, Takahashi EM200 EQ mount. Manually guided 30sec.
ASSA NYPpers
Eta Carinae nebula by Hendy & Will
Canon 20D, Takahashi FSQ 106-N 530mm f5 refractor, Takahashi EM200 EQ
mount. Manually guided 30sec.
The local NYP (Northern Yorke
Peninsula) Group of the
Astronomical Society of South Australia ( ASSA ) is known as the
ASSA NYPpers.
A few ASSA members began to get together in Kadina in 1996 as a result of Comet
Hyakutake, an amazing sight in our relatively dark skies.
Slowly our numbers grew and our informal observing sessions became more
regular. We became a recognised Group within the ASSA and have
continued to enjoy some great observing together. At present there
are about 12 members who attend the monthly observing sessions, along
with family, visiting members, interested locals and others.
Our first Group coordinator was Mike Mattiazzo. His combination of knowledge
of the sky and enthusiasm, backed up by years of practical observing
experience, have lead to improved skills for all of us. He is an avid
comet hunter and observer and an accomplished photographer.
See his
unique Southern Comets Webpage
HERE for information
about comets you can see at present, observing tips, and some great
photos.
Mike moved from the local
area due to work commitments, but has maintained close contact with
the group.
He was President of the ASSA for 2006.
Our next coordinator was local enthusiast
Will Godward. Will, like Mike, has an interest in comet hunting
and observing.
He also uses BIG binoculars to scan wide areas of the
sky. Photography is another of Will's hobbies.
See his great website
HERE
Our current coordinator for 2008
is Ian Finch. Ian joined the Society through the NYPpers in
2003.
He enjoys observing with his 8" dob, and has been a regular attendee
at NYPper viewing nights.
We use our own telescopes and binoculars, as well as the unaided eye
to observe the sun, the moon, planets, stars, comets, galaxies,
nebulae, meteor showers, eclipses, occultations, auroras and more.
Some of the instruments we use include a home built 315mm reflector,
two home built 250mm reflectors, a few 100mm reflectors, 60mm and 106mm Takahashi refractors, and
assorted binoculars.
See some photos
of these instruments HERE.
The NYPpers meet at Sharples Road, on the eastern outskirts
of Wallaroo for most of these observing nights. The sessions are very
informal and relaxed and include a variety of targets ranging from
really easy to nearly ridiculous! We sometimes travel as a group to
other astronomical sites and events, such as visiting other
astronomers and observatories, or viewing the Total Solar Eclipse from
Roxby Downs in December 2002.
We have been to local schools for viewing nights, as well as in
public, at events such as Encounter 2002 where we set up at the start
of the Wallaroo jetty and showed the brighter objects to people
walking past.
Anyone with an interest in astronomy, or just the plain curious, are
more than welcome to attend our meetings.
So if you want to have a look at what our local skies have to offer,
or learn how to use that dusty old telescope, please contact us and
find out more.
We can also arrange visits for, or to, schools, local clubs and groups
who may be looking for a unique night out.