scarp15

Potentially another option with full facilities could be Herding Hill Farm, which is situated close to Hadrians Wall above Haltwhistle. From there it would not be unreasonable to have a day trip to the Northumberland coast, amongst other local and more immediate interests. Stargazing in Northumberland - Herding Hill Farm.html

Crikey, was it really that long ago. Actually yes, in my diary; Comet Neowise Sun 19 July Battle Hill 'immediately impactful, becoming increasingly spectacular'.

I was in Cambridge a couple of weeks back, not much room in the car as my daughter was the reason for going down there, starting a placement at Addenbrooke's. Decided against binoculars, refractor, instead took my bicycle, (on a rack), also a good decision and I got to meet up with Piero and see his beautiful 16" dob build. Yes better weather I believe to come.

Worth noting to that Delos and DeLite eyepieces are conveniently parfocal, no faffing with refocusing. It could be that the extent of locking tension, applied amongst users might vary a little and that maybe on a damp night, moisture could form on the sliding part. Perhaps Delos might be a little more manageable at applying tensioning pressure, due to the chunkier barrel for gripping when twisting. Definitely, I use both 4mm and 5mm DeLite, along with 7mm and 18.2mm. It is complementary to the 4mm and 7mm. The 62 degree field of view is enhanced with comfortably seeing the field stop.

Yes sometimes replacing the caps in-between use there is slippage, yet personally this does not bother me at all because when that eyepiece is required again, a simple twist action adjustment and you very quickly regain that comfortable eye placement, in which Delos and DeLite eyepieces are renowned for lovely enhanced relaxed observing. I agree with the comments above that the lower cap can be a bit tight (perhaps until worn in), although I like this as less likely to drop off and lose and ensures no moisture etc gets trapped in. Holding steady either the upper or lower eyepiece body helps a bit when replacing the cap. When the eyepieces are ready to be stored away, I always retract the barrel before going back in the eyepiece case.

It could yet, as mentioned, just be a 'floater' Neil. I had a similar circumstance with my 4mm DeLite, black spec whilst Lunar observing, think I mentioned it on the forum to. Irksome enough that I arranged to send it back to Telescope House, as it had been purchased new. They did a thorough inspection, used a powerful air bower in case of a spec of pollen and could find no fault. Therefore just a peculiar quirk to that particular e.p related to the exit pupil on a bright subject and perhaps exacerbated by circumstances of my vision. If you do consider that there is something trapped in-between lens, then perhaps you could try contacting Telescope House. I think that they used to or maybe still do provide a cleaning service, at least certainly for SCT's, as far as I recall.

Fatigue, might be the only thing really to be prepared for, if you have ventured to a dark site and are likely driving home straight afterwards.

Joining a club could be good idea in your circumstance and an astronomy club can be like no other. Firstly, thinking back to when I was a member of a club and met at a dark site, 'voice recognition' comes into play. Not just because it is naturally dark, but everyone is usually layered up, typically in dark clothing, hats balaclavas etc. Any social anxiety will be overcome, because you will be too preoccupied, engaged in hopefully stargazing and cloud dodging with your colleagues. You learn a a lot and will become comfortable and at ease with your nocturnal circumstance. Then you may want to pursue going out alone. Personally I enjoy solo dark sky trips and become too preoccupied to be concerned about anything else. As soon as you become dark adapted, you transform into one of the 'creatures of the night' anyhow.

That brexit lorry park is a monstrosity and I agree with the last two posters, escalates the habitual harm imposed on all nocturnal wildlife as well as the mental health of people living in its vicinity.

Hi, I cannot comment on the ES option, yet a 12" manual flex dob is a good practical contender for your intended use. The focuser may need an upgrade, as is popular with users, to a MoonLite CR1 or 2 and a few smaller mods required, but this is a good all rounder and very good at deep sky subjects from a dark site. Which ever dobsonian you choose, include a shroud and consider some rolls of flocking material to black out part of the inside of the tube. Factoring in ultra wide low power eyepieces definitely, the used markets are worth keeping an eye on, i.e. Panoptics, Naglers and if budget is OK, Ethos as well as the many other good branded alternatives. A collimation tool is straight forward. Dim red light and a good quality filter i.e. O-III for the arrival of Cygnus. Also a good adjustable observers chair. As John mentioned, no to a 90 degree diagonal, a chair on a low setting may help when positioned at low elevation and conversely, the 'dob hole' (at zenith) is a little bit disorientating, yet not unsurpassable, just need to get tactile and a little dob hugging gets you there. Another alternative is a used Orion Optics UK 12" solid tube, in which the ota can be adjusted inside the tube rings to align the focuser for a more comfortable viewing position, as well as aiding with balance.

I am reviving this old thread, partially to remind myself as to how I approached this subject. The Ghost of Cassiopeia, along with the Horse Head Nebula, are two specific targets that I purchased an 18mm DeLite for. My former 20mm Tele Vue Plossl had yielded favourable views of the later. Just a forward plan for the autumn really (feels like we are already there weather wise), as last autumn was a complete non starter.

Light weight and simple, requiring a walk in, close to Scottish Border in Northumberland, another trip is on the cards.

It might and yes it would be worth it, particularly as you have invested in a SQM-L device, to make a comparison with else where. Of course the weather forecast could imply one thing and the reality for very good transparency at the spot, could well be something else. It is still in my opinion worth the extra 15 min though, even if just to fulfill a curiosity and who knows, could even become a regular (well as regular as dark sky trips go).

Great report and unless in your location you can make something of the May dark sky period, a good conclusion to the season. I think as Gerry has mentioned, perhaps if you could pick up something like a Delos 8mm, the transmission gain, could be good to contrast with any subtle enhancement compared with your current eyepiece at a similar focal length on these testing subjects.

learning to undertake a collimation procedure regarding a reflector, I think assists to get to understand the optical light path alignment a bit better and appreciate the instrument you are using. On most occasions it is just a slight routine chore, not unlike if you were to go out cycling, you would check your tyre inflation, brake cable tensioning etc. I think that there is certainly plenty to be learned concerning gaining accurate collimation. I use a simple Rigel collimation cap and may combine a Cheshire eyepiece, investment in other tools would perhaps gain yet more accuracy.

At the tail end of lockdown, I did succumb to purchase a 3.5mm Delos off Ebay, worked brilliantly on past few evenings on the moon.

Great session and haul of targets. Good support and motivation from your son.

Had a lot of family holidays via Skye onwards to the Isle of Raasay in the 70's. Quite a culture shock as kids coming from Blackpool, the first year we went, the Island had only got hooked up onto the national grid a few months earlier. Me and my brother were only interested in the fishing, which was excellent.

Yes I know, Aristarchus was tantalizingly illuminated last night, but the Schroter's Valley just out of reach. Another clear sky, this time no thin cloud, dob out again for later.

Perhaps keep a look out for a used 8" F6 OOUK - VX8L dob. The tube is light weight and the whole unit is quite manageable. Very capable performer under a dark sky.

That would be the right approach, to consider looking into exploring and comparing meter readings at alternate locations. It does become quite compelling actually and the site you had recently used still has a lot to offer by your account of the session.

Relaxing your observers eye, sitting comfortably correct posture, relaxed upon an adjustable observers chair - as though reading an absorbing book sat on your favourite armchair, will enhance and resolve with ease, the brighter globular clusters.

The brighter globular's have been very satisfying observed from home with my 8" dob and frankly dependably spectacular observed from a dark site with my 14" dob, such as M3, M5, M53, M13, M92 and other encounters. At low power ie. 59x and increased to high power 230x - 313x, exquisite. They are each characteristically spectacular, not just M13, experiment with magnification for the most pleasing impression. If picking one it would most probably be M5.

Great, expect that you may receive it for the start of the new season in late summer, so now is a good time to plan.

I do wonder if this may also back up the recent CPRE survey analysis, for a slightly improved star count outcome compared to last year, based upon the 'lockdown effect'; a fewer lit urban buildings, very significant reduction in air travel, lesser road use, so a reduction in air pollution particles. Therefore when there are those periods of good transparency, it has a yet little extra gain.