Astralstroll

On 25/10/2022 at 11:32, Freff said:

Thanks to all who attended this Autumns SWAG SP. 

Despite the poor weather, it appears everyone enjoyed themselves. 

A big thanks to Justyn for taking the reins during my absence, ( must try harder controlling the weather)🌧️ 😀 and the Dob Mob for their unwavering support and presence.

I'm hoping to organise another event in the early Spring, probably the weekend 18th-19th March. New Moon on 21st.. Please let me know your thoughts.

Again many thanks, take care and see you in the new year. 👍 

I will pencil the dates in my diary and begin the praying for good weather 🙂

Just setting off from Bristol. Should be there around 4ish.

Has anybody seen a good weather forecast for the weekend? 

See you all there.

Telescope successfully donated. Hopefully it will give lots of viewing enjoyment for many people.

Well I think I've booked pitch 7 from Friday - Sunday (21st - 23rd). Looking forward to clear skies 😀

It's worth a try. I was considering contacting the local astronomy societies as some of those loan out telescopes too. If I can't get any interest for a giveaway, I might have to list it on the buy and sell part of this site.

Hi Tony,

That makes a lot more sense. I will give the site a call and see if pitch 7 is free. From memory, that was the last time I was there. COVID put paid to a lot of my observing jaunts. 😞

Regards, Dave

Here is an image of the aforementioned Meade scope. It comes with the supplied Meade 2" eyepiece, red dot finder, light shroud, dust cover and large compass on base. What's not to like 🙂

Hi Tony, I was literally about to message you to see if there was going to be a 2022 SWAG get together. I'm glad I read this thread before I pressed send.

I am keen to attend, so are the proposed dates still the 21st - 23rd October 2022? I am assuming they are and that the Dob Mod team are heading over the following week. as they were suggesting 26th - 28th.

Anyway, if you can let me know I will get on to the site in due course and book a pitch. Hopefully wading through old messages will let me know what pitch number I used to book.

Regards, Dave

Hi Tony, Many thanks for the reply.

Its a pity its not attended any more as it is a pretty good venue and pretty much the closest decent dark sky to where I live. I know what you mean about being up there on your own. Probably not a good idea. 

Maybe interest will rekindle now the nights are drawing in.  I will keep my fingers crossed.

Dave

I am having a bit of a sort out and I have a 10” Meade Lightbridge that is surplus to requirements. Too many Dobs and not enough space, the usual astronomy woes. 🙃

I am thinking of donating this to a school or club free of charge for others to get benefit from. I am based in North Bristol, so ideally somewhere within driving range would be ideal to drop off the scope.

With this in mind, are there any schools or clubs out there who could make good use of a lovely Dobsonian scope?

Regards, Dave

Hi,

Does anybody still go (or planning ) to the Foxhunter carpark for stargazing? I've not been for ages but am getting fed up of my light polluted back garden.

Dave

Just sent a quick email to them, so I will see what their response is. 

Hello all,

Many thanks for the comments. Looks like Action Optics have very recently closed down (September 2020). I will drop the Optical Repairs people a quick email to see if its worth having my binos repaired.

Regards, Dave

Hi Bill,

Many thanks for the advice. Just looked them up and they have a backlog so are not accepting repairs and the are also saying that they no longer repair astro binos 😞

Regards, Dave

Hello,

I have a pair of Celestron SkyMaster 20 x 80 binoculars that are in need of repair. Is there anywhere in the UK that does bino repairs? 

Regards, Dave

Hi Tony. Great news. I will keep my eyes open for further announcements.

Dave

Are there any plans for another SWAG star party in March this year?

Dave

Can you still get the Moonlite block fittings?  I've been looking for some for ages without success. Might be time for me to look into making my own.

A big hello from the top end of Bristol. 

Awesome

Did you get the book signed?

Hopefully the TiVo box has recorded it. Fingers crossed.

Has anybody had a go at finding this comet yet? I've had two goes this week, but to no avail in the partially cloudy and moonlit skies. There again, M31 wasn't the easiest thing to find tonight.