There was no way that the fallen trunk could be cleared in time therefore we decided to unload everything and carry them to the actual campsite. We were lucky it was a 15 min walk to our ob site or the weight of all the bottled water would have broke my back.
We set up the tent and laid our groundsheet once we had all our stuff over to the campsite.
The clouds came in passing while our cyclists went exploring round the island.
Andromeda galaxy is clear without obstruction that day and the sheer beauty of such wonder that exist marvelled us outside our milky ways. Pleiades and Hades appeared like a pair of giant clusters appearing to be clouds at first glance. The double cluster between Cassiopeia and Perseus is also a delight to see. We waited for the Great Orion to wake up to reveal his full might and glory, with his shield and his club. The Shepherd of Anu, The Great Destroyer, such names do not matter when we are in awe by such a sight. One could not loosen Orion’s belt but one can have a better view using a relatively small scope.
Meteors are frequent that night, with a record number of nine spotted by one of the girls. We lay on the ground mat that we brought with and enjoyed the night sky, counting meteors. We lost track of time and space but I think I retired early with one of the girls that night. I was in a complete oblivion until the storm comes.
The storm has been harsh and fast. The roar of the thunder is loud as it is deafening. We cower in our little tent with nearly everything waterproofed. I slept through, not knowing what is it to feel.
To be continued...
See Camp photos @ 2008 Gallery under Photo section.
so we start off with the Twister! (and this round i win the game...woohoo~
**(some pictures are censor due to the nature of the game)**
...this is the only decent photo >.<Then some of the guys want to play RISK. and other group went to play beach ball, own group poker cards games and stuff... while the sky still cloudy!
At about 1am, finally the sky started clearing and more stars appear... so our search for deep skies object begins here... At the bottom of the tower, you have this balcony where u can lie down and gaze the stars... and the telescope can be set up behind on the concrete platform.
And I manage to see catch sagittarius before it set... and many other nice autumn constellations and star clusters, M31 galaxy in andromeda, hx clusters in cassiopeia and more... then at around 4am, Orion is high enough, and we get to see other winter constellations like canis major... Then at around 5am, the clouds came in again without mercy, soon all stars are hidden beneath the clouds...
So we went back to the tower, most of us are asleep, cannot tahan already, but a few of us and my juniors still awake! So we play poker cards to keep us awake till sun rise!
So at 730am, we started to wake everyone up for morning group photo-taking. It is very draggy to wake some piggy people, need to kick them then wake up lah! Got one even drool... I wonder what he is dreaming la - .-
So Here I am, trying to gather people... many of them are sleeping walking beings...
And need to get them position~
And finally... all smile on camera! The 2008 new generation of astronomers!
next, we head to the nearby food court... and we reach too early, 8am - the foodcourt open at 830am. So we stone outside... and doing alot of crazy stuff...
1. First crazy act spotted - taking photos of people sleeping... professionally~
2. Crazy act by Chris - May I know what is HE doing in the photo?? - weird post...
3. Crazy Anne - folding paper crane and put on the pond - like the feeling of the crane being drown into the water.... - sadist -. -
4. The photographer spotted man in green snapping... LOOK, i'm not the only one... the girl behind also snapping photos lor...
Finally, the food court open and we are the first few customers! All flood in and enjoy the air con,feel like sleeping lah... So after walking around enjoy the air con, then we buy the breakfast set! Yump!
This guy eat TOO FAST, eat the whole bread at one bite - .-
Our dear kafoo... put too much dark sauce on the egg... it look so black and sweet?
This is my breakfast set, as you can see I eat up all the eggs and bread, BUT never drink the coffee... how come ar? Because the Coffee too black le... I give the wrong order...- "Kopi O dont so black" - in the end Aunty give super concentrated, is undrinkable lah! waste my drink... Can die from caffeine if I drink few more slips..
So after the breakfast, we all went back to the tower, pack up and board the bus... not to mention, we have too many left over mineral water, next time I shall not be too kiasu sia... end up i need to bring everything back - cant bare to waste them. So thats all! Look forward for the next gathering!
We will be back to Sentosa next year!
We were sure that SM Goh, just as anyone else would, enjoyed the experience thoroughly. With this, we’ve taken another step forward, getting nearer to our goal of popularising astronomy to the whole Singapore community!
Do you have a question about a topic in astronomy or about an object in space?
Drop us a email to mpastrosociety@gmail.com
We will get back to you as soon as possible =)