Notes:

• Object Type Codes: OC = Open Cluster, GC = Globular Cluster, GX = Galaxy, PN = Planetary Nebula, EM = Emission (Diffuse) Nebula.
• Vmag. is the visual magnitude.
• Object Size is given in arc minutes.
• Object Distance is given in light years.

After spending a nervous Saturday morning gazing up at overcast skies I was relieved to meet 11 AAQ members and guests arrive at the Woolshed Saturday afternoon in time for our guided tour of the historic property. Our tour guide Jerry provided an interesting and informative commentary about life in the wool industry when Australia really did "ride on the sheep's back". As a retired shearer he gave an expert demonstration on the art of removing a sheep's fleece, and judging by the number of camera flashes occuring, was greatly appreciated by our group!

Just before sunset, and under breaking cloud cover, we had a short time to setup our equipment before the dinner bell summoned us to a delicious country cooked evening meal. With a collective sigh of relief we emerged from the dining room to see the cloud retreating to reveal clear dark skies, and relatively mild temperatures. By 9.30 pm the sky was almost totally clear, and Roy Axelsen's Obsession telescope was giving spectacular views of the Virgo galaxies, with the structure of some of these clearly visible. Cheryl and Gina Capra were impressed with the clarity and number of deep sky objects they had previously been unable to see with Cheryl's Meade SCT from their home in Brisbane. Around 12.30 am the last hardy souls called it a night and retreated to the Shearer's Quarters accomodation.

Sunday morning 8.00 am. found us back at the dining room enjoying a hearty breakfast, at which time casual mention was made of a nearby chocolate factory. Despite some initial reluctance from Graham Crossley (Ha! Ha!), a change to the Sunday itinerary was quickly organised. It was a great pleasure to see a group of such restrained and disciplined people sampling the delights of White Mischief Boutique Confectionery!!

By now, running late for dinner at Rimfire Winery, we back-tracked via the Woolshed, and then on to Rimfire Winery to enjoy a generous Winemaker's Barbeque and sampling of their local wines. Prior to making our separate ways home, we agreed that the weekend had been both a great social and astronomical success, with a unanimous call to make it a regular event.

A selection of photographs taken during the excursion are available here.

A deep sky observing night and social outing was enjoyed by AAQ Members and their guests at the Jondaryan Woolshed on the weekend of the 7th and 8th of May. The Woolshed is located in Evanslea Road, Jondaryan, approximately 2.5 hours drive west of Brisbane and 45 km west of Toowoomba on the Warrego Highway. Further information is available on the Jondaryan Woolshed website.

The excursion started at 3:30pm Saturday with a guided tour of Woolshed by an experienced shearer. The tour included the history of the woolshed and buildings and a shearing demonstration, which finished just in time for us to setup telescopes before darkness came. We then had a tasty and substantial roast dinner. After preparing our accomodation in the old shearers’ quarters at the Woolshed, we donned warm clothes and proceeded to observe.

In the afternoon heavy clouds had threatened to ruin viewing, but these clouds started to clear at sunset. Except for an occasional veil of thin, almost transparent, cloud the seeing was good until heavy dew developed after midnight. We enjoyed good views of Saturn (before it set), Jupiter (which included the last event of the night - a transit by Io ) and various deep sky objects. The Swan Nebula (M17 in Sagittarius) was a personal highlight when viewed through an 18inch Obsession Dobsonian.

After a restful sleep in the quiet country setting, breakfast was eaten. The group then drove to the small town of Mt Tyson where we had delightful coffee and chocolate sweets at the White Mischief cafe. We then dashed across to the Rimfire Winery at Maclagan for lunch and wine sampling to conclude the excursion.