scarp15

A credible observation John, particularly concerning your informed objective approach. The transparency across much of the UK has been I think exceptional this past week. When at a dark site a couple of nights ago and I took a series of magnitude readings after midnight and was astonished, actually thinking that my Sky Quality Meter was faulty, jumping from 21.55 to 21.62 and later higher 21.67 (last time there I think it hit 21.3). This likely enabled possibilities to reach a little deeper when scrutinizing particular freshhold targets (based on aperture) such as this.

Excellent, informed account, M101, M51 are superbly placed presently. Observed each last night, M51 , NGC 5195 accentuated prominently. As you mention, responding vividly to low - mid power ultra wide field.

Splendid report and echos my own encounters last night, as ventured to a dark sky location, first time in months. Yes the Earth shine was great thanks for the reminder of that. Leo Triplet, M51, M104 just some of my highlights to. Congrats on NGC 5053 and the brighter globulars were just superb. It was indeed unseasonably raw for the time of year.

First dark sky trip in months, capitalising on cold clear skies and easing of covid restrictions. New favoured location on the edge of the Wark Forest in Northumberland. After midnight, my SQM at zenith was hitting above 21.6.

Hmm I like the stance, hand on hip, other hand lightly touching telescope, head tilted. Like some old time photo posture of a bygone explorer. Hunched over a flask of coffee in multiple layers, waiting for the cloud to clear more in tune with reality. Good for cognitive development yes perhaps, so to is open water swimming, I believe.

Yes I heard a brief feature on this on this mornings radio 4 Today programme. It is based upon this years statistical CPRE Star count, whereby out of 7000 participants, 51% of star spotters said that they could see fewer than 10 stars, based upon 61% in 2020. The BBC commentary implied this may be due in part to reduced road and air traffic levels, therefore a little less light and atmospheric pollution.

Great and yes she's definitely layered up against the elements. Fabulous that she's enthused to share this with you, zero interest from mine, except she may ask how it went.

Great report Mike and location. Nice that your wife is inspired, will she benefit with a chair whilst operating her dob?

Absorbing report Neil and great outcomes with your established and new eyepieces. Quite a feat to retain the ISS in the field of view for a few seconds. Just hope that we can continue to retain some freedom to go on dark sky trips. I am resigned to waiting for the next new moon phase, which will coincide with lockdown easing measures in England at least, from 12th April if clear.

Very impressive, the juxtaposition between the elements of dark nebulae and reflection nebulae is quite remarkable.

Quite spectacular for a brief period before thick cloud had rolled across. John's rousing announcement in his thread, hastened a look outside to see that it was clear. Gassendi and the Rupes Liebig mountains that link into his vicinity was just quite awesome and was gobbling up the power available. The deep well of Hainzel also caught my attention, illumination was superb. Could had spent hours had the cloud, though as forecast, not rolled in.

Was meant to be cloudy, its not, moon appears very sharp, 8" dob on the way out.

That could be a factor, it is a commitment, I would be prepared to drive up to one hour away from home, must longer and I would plan to stop overnight such as taking a tent.

Worth mentioning also that, depending upon where you are, other night time folk might be nightscape photographers, entomologists, aurora hunters and even another amateur astronomer and not anyone threatening or more likely, annoying. In any case, standing around outside requires lots of layers, with my down filled smock, I must look a bit like Michelin Man, that potentially would frighten off anyone else.

Quite understandable initially. Unless you become a member of an astro society, when they are actually able to resume dark sky meets, feeling reassured at a dark sky location can take some trial and error. Getting to know a location fairly intimately and avoiding larger spaces, such as popular day time car parks, may be necessary. Solitary trips to dark sky locations are definitely what I enjoy the most and become too absorbed, preoccupied and eager to get set up whilst checking the sky to be put off by anything else. There are several places that I will venture to and feel at least 80% confident that no one else will be encountered. A good dark sky location, if you feel at ease is an exciting prospect.

Next new moon, 12th April or there abouts, if clear, The Owl Nebula, M97 is very favourably placed and is enhanced by a OIII filter. Successive new moon phases, Cygnus will steadily increase in prominence, plenty to become preoccupied with if within dark skies. By around the Autumn period, when Taurus and Perseus are regaining in prominence, a Planetary Nebula; the Crystal Ball Nebula NGC 1514, is another excellent OIII filter target, revealing as a concentric fuzz, the nebula around its central star.

That would be a good plan if you retain your 90mm and then perhaps include a larger aperture scope, such as an 8" dob, they will become complementary. The 90mm refractor will profile at high power doubles cleanly. An 8" F6 Dob is also very good and more purposeful perhaps for tighter splits, that is when fully cooled and effectively collimated. Gemini and Leo for example are good for double star exploring presently.

If you can save up for an 8" dob, this will transform the views of Globular Clusters. They do require mid to high power to resolve more completely. Perhaps learn to adapt a touch of averted vision, as this to will assist to resolve the star cluster. M53 is quite tightly condensed, M3 will resolve more easily into a dazzling display of star fields. It is still a little too early for Hercules and M13, M92. Also wait until they culminate due south, try to become a little dark adapted and take some time to absorb the light entering your observing eye. What you have grasped so far with your 90mm refractor will improve as you gain more observing experience. Under moderate light pollution and away from a bright moon, the brighter Globulars will resonate. You could also look presently at some Open Clusters such as M44, Beehive Cluster and a little below this, yet much more subtle is M67 and again experiment with magnification.

Yes that's it Dobbies, that's were I got mine from to, I wasn't sure how widely distributed they were.

Hi Mike I haven't been out for any for a while and actually still have some left over. Originally from a Garden Centre and their aquarium department. Basically aquariums ought stock this or else very similar.

Lovely report, Globular season will be in full flight by the next new moon, when hopefully coinciding with the easing of restrictions, will allow for a dark sky trip.

For at home convenience, instinctively opt to haul outside the 8" dob on most occasions, as setting up as one unit is swift. The refractor being stored away is more time consuming assembling, although on the next good lunar night I will probably opt to take out the refractor. Sometimes getting the right tripod height can also become a bit of a procedure, yet is advantageous when pursuing lower lying objects based upon my constrictive horizon.

Equipment; depending upon what is anticipated observing and practicality for where to become situated. My standard set up is a 14" dob, sometimes this will be accompanied by a compact refractor or binoculars. Other times and for more convenience, I might take an 8" dob. When Comet Neowise was prominent, I specifically took my refractor and binoculars to a high vantage point with a dark N/E aspect, receiving outstanding views, particularly with the binoculars. If I go wild camping, I will take either binoculars (and a monopod) or a refractor, the subjects to observe applicable to the set up. Its quite nice reflecting on this, as right now just having to make the most of backyard observing, such as last night, enjoying at least some of the Globs for company.

Last time I did one of mine; began with an air blower, then any stubborn fibres are gently swept using a fine sable haired paint brush. Next I placed the mirror i.e. 14" into a small inflated paddling pool and resting flat on a foam mat and pour over RO Distilled marine type III, to soak. The water is available in 5 litre containers and I get this free, after purchasing the container (with a tap fitted) at a local garden centre aquarium. I have only used cotton wool balls once, very lightly placing them on the mirror surface once wet and pouring some water over, before lightly lifting. I used some we had in the house which seemed fine, although the recommendation above for surgical grade cotton wool from a chemist is a preferred option. Also a good idea as suggested above for a trigger sprayer, something to consider for next time. To prevent streaks and marks forming, prop the mirror up, use a hair dryer on cold setting. Surplus distilled water (plenty left over from a 5 L container) store in a dark cool location. The finger method, will that not potentially leave residue from the finger tips and how light can you apply this?

A selection of dark sky sites, each within a one hour drive each way. This is necessary to reduce fatigue on the way home. To reach darker skies; Scottish border, or Kielder area, requires a slightly more extended driving period. There are a selection of places I like to or would like to visit, overnight in a tent. Normally I take opportunities as and when they are possible, the past year being as it is, I think I managed two dark sky trips, none of course so far this year. Oh yes, Kielder midges are something else!