scarp15

If you get hold of a 12" Newtonian, investigate the Flame Nebula, there are some very good drawings available as a reference. The same circumstances apply; dark and transparent sky, observe when Orion is nearing the South, become fully dark adapted - do not look at the Orion Nebula before hand. Experiment with eyepieces and perhaps filters. It is a good subject to became accustomed to observing fainter nebula.

A worth while incentive to take the 8" Flextube along to and nice capture and memento of that occasion. Became successful on my second attempt on Sunday, on that occasion taking binoculars and a monopod. A pair of binoculars and depending on the aperture, supported such as on a monopod would become complementary to the Dobsonian.

Excellent and well done 👍 A very good solution that you can adapt and modify as I'm sure by your account, that you will. I just wonder that for the base if an adapted shopping bag trolley to harness / strap it to might be a consideration. An intrepid approach can often work out. Yesterday evening I hiked a considerable way, not with a dob but a fairly weighty refractor, wood tripod, three eyepieces, mount, stool etc. across the Town Moor and up onto a small grassy hill, pretty rough going when off the footpaths and later in the dark. Beside the fact it became too cloudy for the Conjunction, It worked out just fine and is encouraging to do this again, if there is a need. Anyhow look forward to further modifications and reports.

Neowise at a dark site with binoculars quite outstanding Mars over multiple backyard sessions with each of my three scopes, I learnt so much of observed topographical features The Great Conjunction on Sunday night from a local small hill with binoculars, the second of three attempts and very well worth the effort. A difficult year like no other, yet for astronomy events, unforgettable for the right reasons.

Nice meander, lots of good targets.

This had me leafing through my notes. The Camels Eye Nebula, last time observed I think back in March 2017 and had maneuvered across from the lovely asterism Kembles Cascade and the open cluster at its base NGC 1502; the Golden Harp Cluster. Just a reference made that 'the Camels Eye is a lovely perfectly formed concentric planetary, one I think I had visited before and well worth seeking out'. Not certain what magnification I went up to, though I was using my 14" dobsonian. Good reminder to give this another go sometime.

Really good photo, that must feel very satisfying. I think that like reading a lot of reports, quite a bit of determination with the weather has been required, yet seems to be paying off. Upon my own second attempt, heading to a high point on the Town Moor with binoculars was rewarding. The image Neil, a lasting memento of this event.

Clear and cold evening in Newcastle. Went up onto Cow Hill, which is a great vantage point on the Newcastle Town Moor. A few others spaced apart here, only myself with an optical aid which was surprising. 16x70's stabilized on a monopod, commanding view of Saturn, Jupiter and Callisto. Bracing, four layered garments not enough, down jacket next time.

Interesting successful and less successful encounters, the moon was looking lovely as I approached walking towards and onto Newcastle Town Moor, binoculars and monopod. Then lo and behold, bang on cue blanket cloud swept in from the west. Part two / take two, tomorrow, yeah who dares wins...sometimes.

Lovely range of winter targets Neil, NGC 1535; Cleopatra's Eye, an absorbing planetary to observe. Hope that you are able to restore the dob back indoors post Christmas. Good performance again with the 10mm delos and in gaining some new targets. See if the weather shapes up over the weekend, at least on the east side.

Well at least you gave it a go, must say that for the NE and I know you are further north than I am, it does look potentially better for the weekend. Will be interesting to hear if you get another attempt at this and a decisive spit.

Perhaps for another section (or maybe its all of us that should be sectioned) but yes its understandably grim in terms of weather and combined with covid restrictions. Must be particularly difficult presently for AP. Circumstances will improve and chances realised, often its a game of cat and mouse where the weather is concerned. Visual astronomy is perhaps less frustrating, employing tactics ranging from impromptu brief sessions using binoculars through to full scale dark sky assaults.

A near impossible question to decisively answer. Crossing over between each of my three scopes, has to be the 21E. However and yet, this year I acquired an 18.2mm DeLite and I love this range of eyepieces, they are sharp, comfortable and immersive, in a very compact size. I have used the 18mm DeLite with each of my scopes and for medium, low power, which is often where its at, it is a lovely ocular.

Falston village will be a good base to establish yourself for a dark sky vacation. It is also just away from the forestry therefore should be less prone to mist. Friends have a cottage nearby at Donkley Wood, stopped over there with a telescope in the past, often will encounter clear skies whereas due west at Kielder village could be misty, ensconced more within the forest region. Not so far from Falston beyond the dam, is a popular carpark for stargazing; Elf Kirk, whilst I know it, I had planned to venture there for a night, yet not made it so far. The village is small and will be dark and is accessible for venturing to other areas during daytime.

Resolved aspects of this with my 14" dob, from a dark site on a windy night. I threw everything at it steadily increasing to 5mm, 320x and as Doc mentioned above, managed just to separate into three components. It does require high power and perhaps increasing beyond 320x. Your 20" dob would be the right aperture for this, @jetstream Gerry will have more to say on this subject. Edit: Actually just checked my notes, it was 313x I got to with my 6E, the Paracorr had been in use, I was to extend to using a 5XW, but the wind sweeping through the valley was numbing my fingers quite a bit and buffeting the scope. Therefore wind is of course not favourable for this. Had a 5mm been applied, 376x would had resolved more, so go with high power.

Of course the aim is to protect what is left - which is imperfect. Anyone such as myself, who seek dark sky locations for observing are fully aware of varied extent of interference of sky glow such as from distant Towns. It is possible to escape from it, even in England, remote expansive depopulated areas on the England, Scotland border for example and around Kielder. As has been mentioned, it is about raising awareness and perhaps influencing, changing policy towards the onslaught of cheap led lighting and ever expanding developments, installing appropriate lighting such as softer yellow rather than the white. Encouraging and motivating people to see the Milky Way for the first time and transform the meagre star count in a Town into something much more spectacular. Then maybe even witness an aurora. Amature observers such as myself, do log our sky brightness readings at different locations on varied nights and this will provide a reading at within a 40 degree point of sky from zenith; using a SQM-L devise. Inevitably, protection, education and awareness campaigns can only accomplish so much, unless there is radical cultural, social change in community habits and attitudes towards artificial light sources.

Also heard that interview with Richard Darn on R4 Today programme. I believe that his first success was the formation of the Northumberland Dark Sky Park. A tireless campaigner for dark sky awareness, preservation and status, met him and attended his talks, on a number of occasions a few years back at the Kielder Star Camps. His comments this morning were very interesting, such as a couple who had lived in Middlesbrough all of their lives, it was a revelation for them to travel just a handful of miles away from the Town and see the Milky Way for the first time. This is great news to for wildlife, there are campaigns in North Yorkshire to put an end to illegal persecution of raptors, which has happened extensively this year and for the abolition of peat burning on upland moors. Complete protection for the dark sky quality and its natural habitats, will appeal to create new tourist sectors - the success for dark sky tourism, something else Richard picked up on.

' Soon just the odd glimpses of clear sky were showing, as if the sky was taunting the hapless astronomer'. Couldn't agree more and we can all relate to this. And yet there is something quite soothing within that circumstance. Watching something disappear behind a blanket of cloud, almost an acceptance of inevitability, then patiently waiting to see if that something will re emerge. This 'acceptance' is easier from home though, when away at some remoter place, the inevitable, requires a coffee break and nap in the car.

Must add actually, that one account that particularly stands out John is when you finally got to see, if seeing is the correct term, the Horsehead Nebula from your garden. It is a momentus thing for all visual and non NV assisted observers, to grasp with their eye. Quite emotive, yet the least almost insignificant thing that you could attempt to see, such a contradiction, but that holds our imagination.

Quite a journey John, a rock in the observers sections, providing consistent, supportive and objective comments. Yep the forum is quite a place.

Kielder Starcamp in March 2010. Discounting a quite cheap Dixons telescope at aged 11, my first telescope; Celestron C8 Celestar, fork mounted clock drive motor, mid to late 1990's USA built. It is wrapped up as you can see. It was a wonderful occasion and night time temps plunged below -11c.

Used on almost every occasion, my astro chair. It represents the final part of the procedure; a quick flick to adjust to height and then settle into focusing and absorbing the target presentation. It brings about relaxation, a kind of meditation, those moments sat comfortably absorbing an image are frozen in time.

As last visited just before Lockdown 1, my 'out of Town' seated area.

Very nice presentation, concur with the remarks above, visual astronomers find wide field images such as this very appealing.

Great yes that's a good fix idea and for as you say the interim stage. The eventual carbon tube you plan on, does sound very interesting. Paint that I use for shiny bits or touching up here and there is Krylon ultra flat.