Has anyone tried the Border Astronomical Society?

[CumbrianGadgey]

Hi,

I'm new to this site and astronomy, though i've had an interest for years. I  wanted to see what interest there was in my area and thought I might give them a try.

The poor folks have planned a comet watch for tomorrow night and...you've guessed it...the forecast is rain, rain and more rain. They've even got a 16" Newtonian...I must try to stop drooling when i'm typing this. it makes the keyboard all gooey.

Let me know if you've had anything to do with them, or if you're a member, tell us all about it!

Cheers.

[Lakewitch]

Hi, we tried the BAS..but as my wife is disabled with RA, she could not even attempt the steps up to the observatory.....also the room was very cold and she cannot stand being that cold. So we went to Cockermouth club instead and found it excellent and well worth the journey (almost 60 mile round trip). The knowledge base is fantastic and the room is warm and large enough to host evenings where the public can see scopes and such set up. The BAS if fine, if you can climb those steps.

[CumbrianGadgey]

Hi, we tried the BAS..but as my wife is disabled with RA, she could not even attempt the steps up to the observatory.....also the room was very cold and she cannot stand being that cold. So we went to Cockermouth club instead and found it excellent and well worth the journey (almost 60 mile round trip). The knowledge base is fantastic and the room is warm and large enough to host evenings where the public can see scopes and such set up. The BAS if fine, if you can climb those steps.

Thanks for the info.

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I'm a single parent and I've just got Christmas new year and my daughter's birthday out of the way!

I'll check out Cockermouth, it's not too far at all from me. I'll also try to get to Carlisle, too. Preferably with my 9 year old daughter who loves our little skywatcher 130. She'll be blown away by a 14".

By the way, on the BAS site, they say that they have installed a big screen downstairs to show what the scope is looking at and they've put a ramp in to access that. Maybe that could be of use to you both?

Thanks again.

[Langy]

I only moved to Cumbria (about 10 miles east of Carlisle) about 18 months ago and only bought my first telescope about a month ago.

So being interested I went along to their open evening last month which was the same day as my telescope was delivered. Yes it's a very small room and not exactly warm but then what astronomy is warm. I also attended their night out a couple of weeks after at the RSPB which is just about the only night we have had good skies.

I will be going along to their next meeting which is a talk on Rosetta that will be landing on a comet later this year. All they ask for is a £1 donation at each meeting to help with funds.

If nothing it is another social element and for £1 where can you get that from for people with the same interest.

[Langy]

It was an interesting evening this week, the room was nice and warm when the heating kicked in which would have been warmer earlier but someone had changed it the night before. Certainly learnt a lot more and now have a few more websites to look at for information.

Very enjoyable and friendly, ideal for a nice night out.

[barkis]

Just noticed this thread is old, but nevertheless I'll post this. 

I used to be a member of Border Astronomical Society.

They have a website, link below.

They lost a few of the older members as age started to make it difficult for some to travel,

They were from Rural regions, and South Scotland.

The Observatory they run, is in the grounds of Trinity School Carlisle, and it houses a 16" f6 Newtonian  reflector.

The Telescope is mounted in a Fork, surmounting a Polar disc, which is friction driven by a geared stepper motor system.

Unfortunately, It is not accurate enough for Deep Sky Imaging, but fine for observing, as the OTA is rotatable in it's saddle to facilitate 

easy focuser access.

The Observatory was built by  Technical College  trainees, who were learning bricklaying, and other related trades.

Their Metal Shop also constructed the Observatory  Dome.

I think their meetings are held every first Thursday in the month, commencing at 7:30, but that can be verified on the website.

A frequent Speaker to the Group, is Stuart Atkinson, who used to run the Cockermouth AS.. but now is running  the Eddington AS.

which is in Kendal Cumbria.

Hope this is some help.

Ron.

  http://www.borderastronomicalsociety.com/                               

Link to a  Stuart Atkinson  Info sheet.       https://stuartatkinson.wordpress.com/