Mr Flibble

I'm negative. Will keep testing for ten days.

I've arrived as well so that's three groups on site so far. I set off in the dark at 4am this morning and had the clearest roads I've ever seen so luckily no traffic congestion on route. Including stops it took 8.5hrs but I mostly pootle along at about 65mph. It rained the whole way until Castle Douglas and then glorious blue skies and sunshine appeared which lasted just long enough to pitch the tent in the dry. Its pretty much rained ever since so was very fortunate 🤘 I missed not seeing you on arrival Mike. It will be a shame not to have your company and a hot cooked dinner around the table. Plus the two hours of washing up afterwards 🤣 Hope to see you at the next one 👍

I'll be there until sunday this time so will be good to catch up with you 👍 Looks like you're timing your arrival well because the MET office have it forecast sunny wednesday and clear in the night!!

Its getting close now. Two days left in work then pack the car on saturday ready for the journey sunday 😀 Batteries are charged and I'm trying decide which vital piece of equipment to leave behind.......... Sods law my brake calipers/pads on my car have chosen this moment to start sticking giving a lovely ear splitting metallic ringing noise. Just right for the 7 hour drive urgghhhhh!! I'm hoping a garage in wigtown can sort them out before the return journey. Wishing everyone a safe journey and fingers crossed for clear skies 🌌

Hopefully there will be fuel to make the journey 🤣🤣

I've just booked sunday to sunday. Can't wait. Looking forward to catching up with everyone and having a trip away from home for the first time since everything kicked off!

Great video from NASA. Can just make out the Millenium Falcon pass through at 1:49

Forgot to mention I've booked 9th to 16th. Hopefully Cardiff won't go into lock down just prior to this and I'll be able to make it this time!!

I placed an order for a dew strap with FLO yesterday at 13:45 expecting it to arrive sometime after the weekend. I got home from work today to find it laying on my door mat!!! Brilliant service 🥇

Yes dark and transparent skies. I've been under dark skies and failed to see M33 because the transparency has been poor. I've settled into an observing routine where I'll pick out a few faint galaxies early on in the night just to get an idea of what the night ahead will be like. Some nights if its clear but poor transparency I'll settle for hunting for star clusters rather than galaxies just to avoid getting frustrated. And then I'll concentrate on hunting galaxies when those special nights come along!

Great report! Glad you got some clear skies at drumroamin 🤘

Nice one! A trip to Drumroamin is not complete unless the horse makes an appearance 🐴

Hi Ian, yes I phoned Leslie to let her know so hopefully you'll be able to get it arranged. Hope you have a great few days and see you at the next one.

Thanks Derek 👍 Gotta say the forecast for monday night onwards is looking great so far. The early birds will be bagging the horsehead night after night........ Monday 🐴 Tuesday 🐴 Wednesday 🐴

Unfortunately I can't make it this autumn. Cardiff is in lockdown and I can't leave the area due to welsh rules. I'm re-booked for next spring. Really gutted to be missing out but also looking forward to seeing everyone's posts and pics. Wishing you all a great time and clear skies!!!!

Really enjoying your messier reports. Deffo go for the galaxies on those darker clearer nights. It'll be interesting to follow your journey so keep posting them 👍

Depending on what is viewable I would have to spend the night looking at the showpiece galaxies such as Triangulum, Pinwheel, Andromeda, Sombrero, Whirlpool and Spindle. I'd love to see just how much more detail can be seen.

I was observing that night as well and had some great views of the veil. I love this time of year with the return of the dark nights and the summer triangle so high overhead. The North America nebula was very prominent so it must have been good transparent skies that night.

THANKS DEREK FOR ALL THE TIME AND ENERGY YOU'RE PUTTING INTO ORGANISING THE SP UNDER SUCH DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. FINGERS CROSSED IT GOES AHEAD. PS I'M SHOUTING THIS POST SO YOU'LL HEAR IT 🤘

Has the new dob arrived yet?

Great to see some of the views from Ben Lomond again. I hiked it a few years ago when I attended a friend's wedding. The wedding wasn't on Ben Lomond but there were plenty of Scots drinking whisky on Ben Lomond.

Saw it last night! I went into the back garden at 3am and looked in between Ursa major and Auriga only to find the neighbors tree right in the way. All the neighbors cats started meowing so went back inside to the bedroom window and tried again. And there it was, naked eye. Lovely sight. Absolutely huge in the binoculars!

I'll look forward to it 👍 What size did you order? You mentioned the 14"?

I like the look of these Taurus dobs. Have you had any more thoughts on them Steve?

Deep Sky Hunter 2017 :-)