ian_j_kirk

hi everyone. So Paul and i checked out the layby in yoxall on Monday night and i think the general consensus was its a decent site with dark skies. It was a little cloudy but i know it is dark there as i have been to a site very close to this which is not as safe so would be no good. This site from Monday though is quiet, separated from the road and out of the way so seems to be unpopular with other nocturnal activities. Only downside is that its about 25 mins north of tamworth which may be a bit of a trek for some. But maybe thats the price of a dark sky. So anyone interested in coming along? Ian

no send a private message if you are giving out personal info just in case. Where in tamworth do you live? Could choose a pub car park or something near to both of us in tamworth. Probabley meet about 11 so its getting dark.

hi. Im free tonight, tomorrow night and Friday night this week. Im thinking of going up yoxall tonight actually as one of my friends has just phoned and he would be interested in going to have a look and you are more than welcome to join us if you fancy it. Ian

Yeah that sounds good. Speak to you soon

Ian

Hello all, I went out last night for a bit of an observation site search and have found a layby that Is set back from the road in one of the darkest spots in the midlands according to a light pollution map. Its near a village called Yoxall near Burton, about 25 mins from Tamworth! Is anyone interested in coming along to see what they think? Ian

Ok not to worry. Thinking i may be out again Thursday night or Saturday night if you get your bins in time. Ian

Is anybody about Monday night (8th)? I will be around the lichfield area scouting for spots and getting a bit of observing done if anyone fancies it. Ian

Hi Paul, good to hear from you. What I plan to do is just send a few private messages out to see if anyone is interested in meeting for observing sessions and if anybody knows any good sites around here. A lot of people seem interested in this area so think we may get some takers. Hopefully we can get a good mix of newbies and old hands who are willing to exchange tips and recommendations. I f you know anybody/good observing sites let me know. Ian

there are a couple of threads on the cannock group section and i noticed that a few have people pretty local. Maybe i could send private messages to them and see what we can sort out. Ian

Hi Dean, I live in Tamworth which is not far from you at all. I have found a decent dark sky site near where we are. Its near a place called Hoar Cross. The few times ive been I have parked up in a layby which was ok but had lorries thundering past at 50mph literally 4 feet away from me, but there are quieter areas around there that would be better I think. There are a few people on sgl that live around here like in the Sutton Coldfield and Bassetts Pole area that I think would be interested in an observing group so we should get our heads together and get something sorted. Clear Skies. Ian

No need to be a stranger, as people have said, use binocs or your eyes to keep up to date with things. And how about going to astronomy clubs to use their scopes? Just because you have no scope is no reason to give up such an awehobby ianhobby ian