Hertford Stargazer

My uncle was clearing the house of a deceased friend and found this kit telescope from 1954. I wondered if anyone knows more about it? Neil

Years ago I stored my 200p dob upright with a black bin bag over the top, the bag wasn't big enough to cover the whole scope I just figured it would offer some protection against dust etc. I soon changed my mind when I realised the optical tube was turning yellow. Nobody smokes in our household and the bottom part of the optical tube, which wasn't covered by the bag, remained lovely and white. I stopped using the bin bag and replaced it with a foil survival sleeping bag, eventually the yellow faded and now all is well.

Yes, it's very entertaining, I've managed to land the Lunar Module but not mastered entering Lunar orbit 😁

Yes, I couldn't help but chuckle at that bit 😀

Oh dear, if the Daily Mail are correct there's gonna be a shortage of Solar Film in Swindon. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8697651/Swindon-street-lights-brighter-SUN-say-residents.html

I saw it for the first time at 1am this morning. It was well worth trudging across the field at the end of my road for what was a fantastic sight. I immediately went back home to get my DLSR and tripod, I failed miserably to capture any images, it had been so long since I'd used the camera in manual mode I couldn't remember how to adjust exposure ect 😊 Anyway I've spent time today re-learning my camera so I'm ready for the next opportunity. To be honest I wasn't expecting much but was totally captivated by it's amazing tail 😲

Thank you, inspiring video. Sometimes it takes something like this video to remind me of the reasons why I got into astronomy with its many challenges 😀

Interesting, glad I asked, both Buddleia and Laurel would never of occurred to me. My limited knowledge of such struggled to get beyond Privet and Conifer. A while back I read an article about how a type of conifer was found to be the best natural sound barrier/absorber which stuck in my mind as a handy by-product of a light screen 😀

I was wondering what type of hedging plants have been used successfully as a light shield whether planted specifically for that reason or coincidentally pre-existing. Obviously a hedge isn't much use against street lighting up high but more as a shield against those near horizontal security lights. Thanks

Thanks for the reply's everyone. It wasn't an economy lead question, more of a curiosity and the urge for some astro DIY. I wouldn't risk my eyesight but would take a risk on a cam. I have a pre-made white light filter which fits my 102mm refactor with the drew shield removed, I use it for mercury transits ect. My curiosity was lead by the natural colour view through eclipse glasses and the same of my Lunt solar 6x binoculars. My next question was regarding exactly that, the Lunt solar binoculars are sold as white light but have an entirely different coloured view compared to a film/foil WL filter, I was wondering why? Am I right in thinking it's just a coloured filter layer to offer the view people would expect? I intend to purchase a HA scope or Quark in the future, but can't justify (to my wife) the outlay just at the moment.

Thanks for the replies, I should of mentioned that I wouldn't be looking through the finder. Its an Orion FS intended as a mini guide scope so it's fitted with a cheap planetary cam

I was wondering, would it be ok to use the filter material from eclipse glasses to filter a finder scope. I was thinking of using a lens cap with a central hole of about 15 mm covered by said filter material. Thanks

OneWeb in trouble, so that might mean 574 less satellites. BBC News - Coronavirus: OneWeb blames pandemic for collapse https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52070949

Hopefully so. Us humans always do things to an excess, to the point of overload and then rebellion. I'm looking forward to the artificial light rebellion, I just hope it happens sooner rather then later.

I can't even begin to imagine how you must be feeling. I hope they take things more seriously when they see the consequence of such ridiculous levels of lighting 🙁

Have you tried the local MP, seems like there's a case against the environmental health department also.

Yes, unfortunately getting them to take action is a different matter. It's very much down to the officers opinion even though the law states its classifiable as a nuisance if it stops you enjoying the use of your property.

Light Trespass is an environment crime in the UK dealt with by environmental officers on the same level as noise nuisance.

In some cases the lighting can be extreme and with the growing environmental conciouns I'm hoping it will eventually be seen as antisocial and frowned upon. I came across a house while dog walking which has 4 doomed non directional external lights, one at the front and 3 along the side. It lights up multiple houses and that entire section of road. I took a photo as I plan on approaching the council to try and discuss the issue in general and clarify their stance. I'm currently thinking over how best to make my approach.

In all honesty I think the only effective way of dealing with light pollution is via a TV advertising campaign informing of the environment laws and consequences of bad lighting. Actual enforcement by councils is also needed, people who are affected by badly positioned lights shouldn't have to fight tooth and nail just for natural darkness. The council's are missing a trick here, think of the penalty notices they could issue just by driving around one night every month. Having said all that, this is very good news.

They must be in breech of the 'Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005' by causing light trespass which is a nuisance and or being prejudicial to health. As far as I can remember sports facilities are not exempt from the act and should be dealt with by the local council. It brings back memories of when a local hospital near me was rebuilt. They spent thousands installing blue fluorescent tubes around the top of the entire building. All the locals were bathed in blue light throughout each night. Naturally people weren't very happy and complained. Eventually the lights were switched off permanently.

My wife and I done both the Saturn V and the Lunar Lander and enjoyed the builds immensely. Wife brought me the lander lighting kit for Christmas 😁

Yes, a very kind and generous gesture. I once considered giving a SW130 on EQ2 motor driven mount to my wife's young (25) work college as she couldn't afford and desperately wanted a scope of her own. But when my wife told me she happily spends £200+ a week in the pub I changed my mind 😯

If there isn't then I really don't understand why during what's considered to be the Astronomy season they decide to have a two month break. It's not as though we're spoilt for choice.

Unfortunately not on again til April 😪