scarp15

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!

A study undertaken on ecological and economic benefits for switching off street lighting. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2019/01/streetlighting/

The Orientale Basin was immediately impactful as soon as I was able to begin observing, which was quite late. It is very distinctive, smooth, polished elongated and then those long mountain walls Cordillera and Rook mountains running parallel to each other, fabulous to observe. Yes again thanks for the heads up. Also what I believe to perhaps be Drygalski, an older Copernicus twin, revealed in glorious contrast on the limb just due west of south. Quite a spectacle with its central peaks protruding. 'Atlas of the Moon', my Astronomy Now Moon poster and 'Sky & Telescopes Moon Map' each assisted with orientation and comprehension. 8" dob; surface features gained particular clarity at 120X with the 10mm Delos upwards.

I have been using my 8" dob on the Moon quite a bit recently, in fact just about to go out, as soon as it clears the chimney stack. Typically I may start at 66X and work my way up, settling usually at 171 - 240X. Never actually occurred to me to use a filter, particularly if its a dedicated Lunar session, your pupil quickly adapts and as mentioned. mid to high power creates more tone anyway. Also often, the Moon may naturally become slightly more reduced in brightness due to thin cloud passing over. In as far as detail is concerned the 8" dob will enhance many extraordinary features.

Cheers, got the location on my chart, hauled the dob back out for (much) later.

Quite a night. Interesting to capture the subtle and strange light toned feature of Reiner Gamma and prominently lit along the terminator close by I think was Glushko, Olbers, Hendin. Referencing 21st Century Atlas of the moon, was great to see the Kraft crater chain aligned with Cardanus. Higher up, Pythagoras and its central mountains were prominent, moving down Struve, Eddington and downwards I think Schickard. Always an education, the references gleaned from here and knowledge through books and charts make it very stimulating. Was able to go up to 300x, but 7mm; 171x was most satisfying.

Thanks, I wasn't going to bother until I read this, hauled the dob out for later.

Excellent, will be good to hear how you progress with this. Very interesting nightscape photography and aurora captures from your coastal location.

Could I also suggest that you contact Richard Darn. Richard was a key advocate for instigating the Northumberland Dark Sky Park status and was also a co founder for organising Kielder Star Camp. He also posts on here, but I cannot remember his user name. https://darkskiesuk.org/about/

This is an interesting article that you could bring to the attention of the parish council. Concerning nocturnal impacts on Entomology. Those of us who seek dark sky environs are sensitive to the negative impact and ecological harm that local light intrusion and the relentless creep of light pollution creates. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2019/01/streetlighting/

It can be surprisingly difficult to get completely away from, although on atmospherically dry nights, it becomes less noticeable. Newcastle Airport is a concern, extravagantly lit up. 21.00 Mag / NELM 6.00 is considered entry level for good quality dark skies. Northumberland Dark Sky Park status and dark sky tourist industry does promote, within the park boundaries, awareness for regionally appropriate lighting, reducing unnecessary light intrusion. You mention the coast and I agree, the closest, easterly location I have used as mentioned is near to Thrunton Crags, nearest Town is Alnwick, which itself is not a concern, but south east as you mention, Ashington, Newcastle is notable and may often record my lowest readings, at very best about 21.2. Still it is fairly sheltered, easy to reach from home and I have seen faint deep sky objects from here, such as the Medusa Nebula, plus due west and north is very good.

Hi yes the SQM-L is the best tool to have and will require a succession of readings over a clear transparent night at a particular location to gauge an average magnitude read out. Even then it can vary, as mentioned from the same location on alternate nights. Early morning is usually best to gauge an optimum reading if conditions are applicable. I have roamed many potentially dark sky locations in Northumberland. These include the Breamish Valley just on from Ingram (very good for taking readings), on the same approach, a location near to Thrunton Crags, west over at Cawfields on the Wall and a favourite at Battle Hill. Oh yes also at / near Stonehaugh. I agree with your perspective on light domes from Tyneside (also Byth etc. Tyne Valley), north is very dark, east and west - depending on where you are located is also dark. My own readings are also typically 21.2 - 21.4, sometimes edging to 21.5, yet not at all the given dark sky online charts implying 21.8 -9 mag. However higher readings are definitely possible at most of the mentioned locations, in optimum conditions. Kielder achieves 21.6 - 21.7 for certain, the very darkest spot I understand is near to Deadwater Fell. My own darkest reading is close to Carter Bar on the border at 21.5 mag, taken early on in the evening and would easily had surpassed this had sea fret not intervened. Anywhere north from Rochester on the A68 will be very good for gauging readings within the 21.5 - 21.7 margins.

Clear here and yes Gassendi in particular and Schiller were each very imposing. The light began to filter down, revealing aspects of the terraced walls of Gassendi, conveyed in the 10mm Delos, 7mm DeLite (using an 8" dob).

Perhaps loyalty but more so becoming parfocal, such as interchanging amongt Delos and DeLite focal lengths.

I think as Paul says, 14 or 12mm Delos could be a strong contender at that focal length range. I only currently have a 10mm and have owned a 6mm, each very comfortable eye placement, as mentioned crisp image right up to the field stop.

Hi and welcome to SGL. As John mentions, 12" is a good and manageable size, yet going bigger, well why not. Someone who went big whilst starting out went particularly big; @Ships and Starshas a 20" Skywatcher dob. Also a more 'grab and go' 12" version, each I believe he purchased used. Personally I have two, both are manual tracking, an 8" which receives the most use and a 14" notably for dark sky trips - which have been few and far between this past year. Manual tracking, equatorial platform assisted tracking, or full goto and auto tracking is personal. My preference is simple, manual nudging, regardless of the subject and power used. This is or can be fine for family outreach to. You can teach a parent, nephew etc to nudge and understand, appreciate motion. Through your own physical involvement, becoming completely aware and in-tune for the the natural motion of of objects in their transit. Currently I have three telescopes and have only purchased two new out of a history of owning seven. Keeping an open mind for used as well as new widens the possibilities, through the usual listings; on here, Ebay and UK Astro Buy & Sell.

Excellent report Gerry; Polar Vortex, Timber wolfs, The Rosette Nebula what a mix, stimulating read and 'Neek' is growing accustomed to your environment well. Could be the closest many of us get to the Rosette this season, travel restrictions, now we are into the 'great thaw', perhaps @Ships and Starsmay get a shot at it. However it is good to reminiscence on past occasions, such as a report from not sure when 'I hastily refitted an OIII and swung the scope around to observe the Rosette NGC 2237, the immenseness of nebula cloud enveloping around open cluster NGC 2244 was a fine sight until the curtain of cloud finally closed.' That was with my TV-85.

Both a 20mm and a 30mm will become equally purposeful for filtered observing. The 30mm in opening up the exit pupil for large emission nebulae characterised by low surface brightness. The 20mm for a more dynamic observation of brighter emission nebulae. 21+mag SQM registered skies will enhance 30mm, larger exit pupil / filtered observations. An example, in my 8" F6; 21mm equates to 3.5mm exit pupil, 31mm; 5.2mm. It takes considerable time to arrive at a eyepiece selection that is applicable for all of your observing criteria. Buying and selling used helps, get the best you can first time if possible, it may then still be with you and valued in years to come.

A 41mm Panoptic in my particular three scopes yields a 5.8mm, 6.8mm and (paracorr modified) 7.73mm exit pupil. They each work, used for specific targets on dark sky outings. Purchased on ebay, worth looking out for used. A 30mm - 31mm eyepiece though receives perhaps more general overall use.

Congrats on the TV O-III, as Gerry had mentioned, Ursa Major is gaining prominence and M97 will 'pop' with the addition of the O-III filter in the optical light path.

Can only really comment on dark sky observing and as an example Barnard's Loop. A tricky subject, when observed by traditional, photon gathering, approach yet an expansive portion is visually attainable in optimum circumstances. Detected both in my 14" dob and 85mm refractor. Beginning at a northern point, drifting downward along its curvature, a holistic profile is visually appreciated, registered with the 85mm refractor, that will enable a 4.4 degree field to sweep along, each side revealed by the smaller image scale. Certain large dark nebulae are easier to discern at smaller image scale / wide field and I like to observe intensively compacted clusters such as the Wild Duck Cluster, hung within the local star-field, conveying more of the outlying 'geography' that the object is suspended within; is very pleasing, such as with binoculars and a wide field low power refractor.

Nebula associated around S (15) Mon within the Christmas Tree cluster is detectable with moderate sized aperture within dark transparent sky. The larger portion of nebula associated around HD 47887 is a more difficult observation and profiles the Cone. Some more details here. https://observing.skyhound.com/archives/jan/NGC_2264.html