Where is Dorset are you ?

Hi Guys, As some of you may well know. I've been converting a mount to GoTo. Unfortunately when it comes to software and computers side of things I am really not very good at all. Is there somebody in this club that is good with installation of software? That would be will to meet up and help me out? Here's the project so far

Yeah right, the weather has been very friendly for astronomy.

Thanks for the info Dave, I shall do some googling for SCAG. I would be happy to just be able to get out in the garden right now after the few weeks we have had with the weather here!

Hi Seb, One site which is dark, which I've used before, met up with other astronomers, which isn't to far from Blandford is Knowlton Church. There is also another Astronomy group in Dorset and Hampshire area. It is called South Coast Astronomy Group or SCAG for short, sadly they are no longer active on here, but they do have a Facebook Group.

Thanks Peter, pm sent.

Hi, Welcome to the local group. There are a couple of clubs in East Dorset / Wilts / West Hants - Fordingbridge Astronomers and Wessex AS - who hold observing / imaging sessions at local dark sites in the area (Hyde Common, Turf Hill, Badbury Rings, and at Durlston Country Park observatory). I appreciate these are not particularly local to Blandford but the Cranborne Chase AONB (an International Dark Sky Reserve) also hold events throughout the area which may be more convenient. You can find out more at http://www.chasingstars.org.uk/explore/top-10-stargazing-locations.html Whilst those in this SGL group are up for getting together (Covid willing) if you pm me I can put you in touch with the clubs where many of us members arrange informal meets. Look forward to meeting you. Peter

Hi all, I've been a casual visual astronomer for the past year or so and have recently started to venture into the astrophotography space. I'm looking for any intel on quiet, dark and safe locations around the blandford area. I have been to badbury rings a couple of times in middle of the night and whilst it is wonderfully dark, I have encountered on a number of occasions groups of youths causing havoc in their cars in the car park. I wouldn't expect decent places to be talked about openly on here but I'm happy to receive pm's if people are willing to share. Also completely up for meeting with other local astronomers in the area too for sessions, safety in numbers etc. Thanks in advance.

Hi Ade. Would be great to meet up. Just got to sort out a portable power supply and leave my light polluted garden haha.

Hi Steven, Welcome to SGL from just around the corner at Bearcross. As Peter has said, there are a couple of good Astro Groups locally and the Cranborne Chase Dark Sky Reserve is only just up the road with some lovely dark skies outside of the Poole and Bournemouth light dome. Hope we get to meet up sometime, Ade

Hi. Thanks for replying. Would be great to meet up with like minded people. I'm relatively new to hobby and I have lots to learn

Hi Steven, welcome from just up the road in Canford Heath. There are a couple of great astro clubs locally and lots of people who can offer any help needed. Would be good to meet up sometime.

Hehe thanks

Hi Steven, welcome to the madhouse!

Hi everyone. I'm Steven from wallisdown. I'm quite new to astronomy. Had a celestron 5 evolution and loved it but have now upgraded to a celestron 8 hd edge with avx mount plus starsense. Just viewing in the back garden at moment but searching for a decent power bank so can take it out in the field. Glad there are people local to me here and don't feel so alone lol.

My last session was in early June, before that was in April! There's a very good chance I'll forget how to use the gear at this rate

Hi Kev. A good night? What's that? Been a frustrating amount of cloud, plus fighting technical gremlins when it has been clear. Managed *one* 900 sec sub on the veil complex last night before cloud came over and put a stop to proceedings.

As it's been a bit quiet on the group lately (probably covid and bright summer nights-related), and it feels like I haven't had a scope out in ages, I thought I'd post something here. Anyone had any good nights recently, anyone up for a get together (there's a new moon in the first weekend of September)? Kev

My name’s Chris and live near Blandford Forum for the last few years. Started stargazing about 12 years ago and have tried most things in the budget category in that time. Mainly, Skywatcher products but that’s no surprise. Pier in the garden next to mission control (summer-house). I’m an oldie but still love it, despite all the frustrations. Clear skies and catch you later.

Hi Dan, it was nice to meet you too. Really enjoyed the evening, had some great views of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars (the latter was amazing, and looked just like some of the photos I've seen recently on Twitter!). Although I'd planned to make it a really late one, I decided to pack up around midnight. It was still quite blustery, and although it looked clear enough, I wasn't having any luck with the fainter galaxies. Top evening

Hi, I got out for a couple of hours with my binoculars rather than my scope as I pulled my back a bit earlier in the day! It was good to meet Kev though (albeit for a brief period) as I've not met anyone from this online club before so it was good to put a real face to a name! Skies were great with a lovely view of the Milky Way. Hopefully we can arrange something similar between us all in the not too distant future.

Sorry chaps missed all this. I ended up doing something else so didn't make it out. How about you?

👍

Cool. If anything changes I'll let you know Dan