scarp15

Would consider an elusive; large object of low surface brightness and not too easy to locate to be the Medusa Nebula. Worth while a look for though, as I recall responds to an OIII filter.

Conversely a subject that (in my opinion) I do not consider as necessarily elusive, at least a proportion of, is Barnard's Loop. There are much more challenging (with moderate size aperture) galaxy clusters to grasp than this very subtle nebula. Ascertained by a traditional observers approach, does require knowledge, skill and curbing ones expectation to what can (barely) be seen. Yet a slice of Barnard's Loop , is not determined by aperture and so long as there is excellent transparency (dark skies of course etc), is dependably accomplished.

Another visually tricky subject, that I had a go at a few years ago is The Ghost of Cassiopeia; primarily IC63 and comprising IC59. Illuminated by the star Gamma Cassiopeia, there are splendid images capturing the ethereal presence of this nebula, captured at its most revealing by Hubble. Again the glare from its host star makes this a very difficult visual subject, yet on one occasion I did manage to glimpse the brighter cone shaped element (averted vision, fleetingly) using my 14" dob and a TV plossl (cannot recall whether the 20mm or 25mm).

Yep certainly from home, yet your 10" will deliver M51 if you could ever get to a dark sky specifically with this mind.

Elusive targets; plenty where do you start. Lets begin with Barnard's Merope Nebula. This tiny patch catalogued as IC349 is actually 15x brighter than the highly regarded Merope Nebula. Yet it is rather close to the very bright glare of Merope and thus is a very hard target to visually spot. E.E. Barnard himself discovered the nebula using a 36" refractor. There is an observers account at high magnification (428x) employing a 15" dob, nudging Merope out of the field and thirty minutes of eye straining averted vision; to ultimately gain a momentary 'slither'. I have had a go with my 14", needless to say unsuccessful.

Stu, how does the weight compare with a TV85? Would they be compatible in terms of mount / tripod? Thanks.

They thrashed Newcastle last wk-end in the Carabao cup, comeuppance, no tears shed on Tyneside. Dark transparent skies and dark adaptation are king, aperture likely will facilitate some gain in these circumstances, yet a portable set-up within a non light polluted environment can be everything. Getting to such places may require some determination and motivation, stepping out a bit of your comfort zone, yet when in such a circumstance any size aperture telescope will behave way above its anticipated expectation. Then yes regardless, convenience of smaller, manageable portable equipment does by definition gain more use certainly and managing / tailoring expectations, makes each opportunity a rewarding potential. From the perspective of my backyard, when I haul out my 14" dob, the difference is quite significant on familiar objects, compared to using my more frequently used 8" dob. Therefore on familiar brighter objects, aperture gain in a light polluted circumstance will enhance observations. However I do not haul the 14" dob outside very often (primary use has been for dark sky trips), the 8" or refractor, more nimble and easier for nipping outside, thus gaining a lot more user time. It is perhaps about making the most regarding where you are and what you have, time out under the stars trying to locate things is still engaging and certainly, an 8" or 10" dob is indeed a versatile option for consideration.

Star hopping is fine, its just a matter of learning and then it gradually becomes natural. Home skies are best for brighter DSO objects, such as the listings in 'Turn Left At Orion'. Aperture will make for improved viewing, as for example; open or globular clusters, planetary nebulae. Dark skies of course are 'where its at' and will make for a broad and significant gain in DSO potential at the eyepiece. An 8" or 10" dob will not be too much hassle to take out on a car trip.

Yes, we based ourselves on holiday in Tobermory late summer a few years ago and I took my astronomy binoculars and monopod. One evening I got to a good dark spot a couple of miles outside of Town. What was necessary and I was prepared for was to completely cover up to include cap , mosquito head net and summer gloves. The clouds of midges were horrendous and I think that became one of the shortest sessions ever.

If intent on stargazing, midge season starts to become a problem from around the second half of May and could last into October. Prior to that is still good optimum time for stargazing, by the time the midges become a significant nuisance, its beginning, at that latitude to become a bit too light anyway.

I have backpacked across the hills of Rum, wildcamping and stopped in the bothy. It is a fantastic nature conservation island. The ferry crossing though can potentially be very rough. Footnote: passenger ferry only.

Perfectly safe, yet gaining knowledge of a good, safe, dependable dark sky spot, that you can conveniently set up next to your vehicle takes some reconnaissance. Also is there adequate shelter from any prevailing winds. When you find such a spot, it is very worthwhile for occasional outings. Places to avoid include country parks.

Yes as the others have said, both possibly, as they are complementary but certainly begin with an 8" dob.

In that unfortunate scenario, say for example flood damage or a house fire, theft maybe, though doubt someone will nick my 14" solid tube dob, would require a time to pause and consider. It could be that there are other needs to channel the money as life circumstances change, or else probably what I would do is just streamline and condense into a more compact set up. The other consideration is the cost of everything, what I have now has upped in price at least double, so like for like might be a challenge. However I would settle on a high spec 10" dob and a bunch of Delos E.P's. As for walking away, well we all know that song...'You can check out, but you cannot leave'.

Have not thought about this for years, since completely conditioned to manually operating. Reasoning being for simplicity of approach and to keep in check complacency, in plotting where things are.

If this form of restrictive regulation should become enforceable in part of the UK, then it will inevitably be picked up within others and Snowdon will be next. Our freedom to access our hills could unravel, enforcements; restrictive regulations could snowball, its not even improbable to return to the conditions of the 1930's preceding the Kinder Mass Trespass that had been organised by the Manchester ramblers club. There are those whom with influence and wealth that would love for this to happen - give an inch, take a mile.

In your analysis therefore, should there be enforcements imposed to include other parts of the UK such as on Snowdon, which is perhaps similar to Ben Nevis in terms of footfall. Perhaps to include the Lake District why not Scafell Pike. Isn't what you are suggesting a dangerous precedence towards a slippery slope of enforced restrictions on citizens rights, eradicating all the campaigns particularly during the 1930, such as the Kinder Scout trespass, in which activists were actually imprisoned for trespass, yet thus led to eventually establishing our national parks. The Dartmoor court case by one self interest landowner has set this in motion. Our right to roam and rights of access is as I have said before a matter of social justice and it is currently vulnerable to change, to impose more austere and controlling legislation, that may impact all of the UK.

The tourist route up the Ben is not my cup of tea either and always seek quieter routes or solitude, it is also very uninspiring. It is almost like a pilgrim route and people less experienced do venture up there, Ben Nevis just another iconic attraction for visitors. Here is the aforementioned moor, a wild camp looking across some time ago. Wildcamping and astronomy a perfect combination.

This is not presenting a particular view more so informed objective facts based on comparisons. Wildmoor conservation is gaining momentum, most recently with the community buyout at Langholm in the Scottish Borders for a former grouse moor that is to be restored. Not far from myself is on the Northumberland Scottish border is Whitelee Moor and which I enjoy to visit. https://www.nwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/whitelee-moor

I see a bunch of people enjoying themselves, exercising and gaining some views. That photographer was clearly waiting for a photo opportunity to sensationalise. Yes the tourist path up the Ben can get busy and is rather tedious, been there done that years ago. It is associated with many odd stories such as a group hauling a piano up there (for charity), a car - was that in the 1920's?. The path would had originally been conceived for the weather station. As you will well know the more intrepid route for experienced walkers and with a relative head for heights is via Carn Dearg, a totally different experience.

There ought to be no burning taking place on these upland moors. Nature conservation would return these uplands back into active blanket bog and heather heaths, harbouring a variety of plants such as sphagnum mosses, Cloudberry, bog asphodel and cotton grasses. They will be havens to a variety of insect life and invertebrates. Then Skylark, Stonechat Meadow Pipet, numerous species of butterfly and moth, of course for red grouse, though also merlin and buzzards. Conservation work involves partially decayed saturated vegetation into brash mats for retaining the peat bogs. Storing carbon and absorbing water during periods of heavy rain fall. Grouse moors are the complete opposite to this they are dried out deserts and are incomparable with a conserved natural moorland.

Not really any benefits, it is to encourage new seedlings to grow for the grouse, which however if left naturally would probably regenerate at a more natural slower pace. Unfortunately the practice of Muirburn is simply not natural to create patchworks across the hills detrimental to all native species favouring only grouse. There is increasing concern from local communities regarding smoke. There are also investigations regarding certain estates that still are suspected for the persecution of birds of Prey particularly Hen Harries that feed on grouse. A game keeper had recently I believe been prosecuted for such an offence, but it is the estate owners that bear ultimate responsibility. No I am adamantly not in favour of grouse moors including the Royal Estates, they are a thing of the past and should go to be replaced by wild moors, not managed for commercial shooting purposes.

Hmm yes actually it was probably more like the late 80's when we did that Trotternish ridge, of course the ridge itself we did not encounter anyone, Quiraing we had to ourselves but the car park below the Old Man was busy. Yep indeed it was the ferry back then. I had only been back a couple of times that involved the bridge, it is far too easy. We used to go on two week family holidays every year to Isle of Raasay via Skye, which was a real culture shock growing up in Blackpool. I remember the fishing (and swimming) was excellent, the beaches and hill walking was great, also exploring some of the old dwellings plus first experience of midges. The Island had just been connected with electricity (mid 70's), then back on Skye, like everywhere else in that part of Scotland, on Sundays - nothing was open. Things have moved on then in many ways. Yes it is often local knowledge that indicates certain pre-history structures. We did a holiday on Mull a few years ago, an Island I had visited a few times and is not untypical for there being many such hidden Neolithic sites. There was a case of a Neolithic burial cairn a couple of years ago, that was tragically dug up by a farmer on Skye, who was quite rightly prosecuted. Until it became news worthy headlines, this was not widely known about anyhow.

Certainly the work that John Muir Trust has undertaken as custodians to part of Knoydart and the Rough Bounds (as well as all their estates) is very commendable. It is quite a few years since I had last been to this part of Scotland, which definitely has a sense of wildness, but yes it can oft be overlooked that this remote mountainous peninsula was once home to many communities, that were forcefully evicted, some of the crofts still etched into the landscape.

Here is a fascinating article featuring an exhibition on rural Scottish communities in the 1930's, a collection by female photographers. Worth noting that the Scottish Highlands became significantly depopulated, entire communities forcibly evicted many of whom were sent off to harsh and impoverished lives in Canada, North America, others to eke out a living forming coastal communities or else go to the emerging slums of Glasgow and the fledgling industries through the 18th and into the early 19th centuries. I have encountered numerous ruined croft communities, the evictions particularly severe on Skye, Knoydart, Sutherland. The empty glens of today once had thriving communities, that made way for sheep. ‘A one-woman job’: early 20th century Scotland – in pictures | Art and design | The Guardian