Members of MKAS were welcomed to the BRATS camp (just behind the Bell) where they were treated not only to some interesting insights into the world of amateur radio, but to a meal as well.  And we are talking wine and barbecue, not just tea and biscuits!

After a very respectable supper, or two (mentioning no names), Peter Parish our Observing Officer gave a talk about constellations and highlighted a constellation for the month.  The talk was specially for the members of BRATS who had no knowledge of astronomy, which was just as well as there wasn't enough room for all of us to fit into the meeting room.  The talk (and wine) went down very well, and as darkness fell, members moved out onto the field where some of the MKAS contingent had set up their telescopes.

Tyler sets up his 110mm reflector watched by Tony and others.

The viewing conditions were not ideal (about 5-7/8 cloud cover, Antoniadi scale 3 or 4), but dodging between the clouds to set up the go to mounts the scopes all seemed to settle on Jupiter at the end of the evening.  The atmospherics made observation quite volatile, but the equatorial belts of Jupiter and the Galilean moons were clearly visible.

Trevor scrutinises Jupiter's moons through a 90mm APO.

The members of BRATS were very friendly (and interested) taking time to look at each scope and the images they presented.  The hospitality could not have been better.

Paul  sets up his MEADE LX75 on Jupiter

The cloud and last orders beat the enthusiasm for observing at about 10:45.  But an excellent night was had by all.

Nancy and Dave in front of Bill's 127mm APO