Physopto

Hi all you bods. Been very busy elsewhere. So missed the posts for a month,ISH. I see Jim and Dawn were there up until Sunday. Hell I am just about to head home as been over at friends just south of Port Patrick for the last month.. As soon as I am able I will post and hopefully answer some questions. Be great to see everyone.

Be good to see you all there. 🤞

Aye, I should hope so. If not I know a certain female police officer I might send after you. 😂 See you there.

Thanks Jon. Had to strap the knee. Still struggling. Had a reaction to the strapping and skin started to blister. So waiting for it to settle at present. I was so annoyed that I wasn't able to attend the Star Party and spend some time with you all. Still come hell or high water I will be there for the Autumn event. 🤞 We need a really good turn out.......

Hi Folks, As usual, I am announcing the dates as soon as practical, so that those people who need to give employers very early dates for holidays can do so. Scotland's Premier Star Camp for Autumn November 2025 It will be held at Drumroamin Camp Site. at: 1 South Balfern, Kirkinner, Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway, DG8 9DB Between Tuesday 18th and Monday 24th November. (The New Moon is on Thursday the 20th November) These dates contain the weekend following the New Moon. Location: Drumroamin Latitude: 54.83253 Longitude: -4.45677 This means that observers and imagers are still able to view/image some days before and after the New Moon, without moonlight pollution affecting them too much. (This time the weekend after the new moon is better). Some time ago I was asked by an SGL member if I had any information regarding the Past/Long-Term Weather around the Wigtown/Newton Stewart area. I hope it is of some interest as to how and why I picked the dates that I have following these data and others on line. For example, November seems the better month for the Autumn event compared to October as it has longer nights. November also appears to have slightly less rainfall and colder nights. The diagram below indicates that mid to late November seems the better time, as the colder nights could mean the ability of the sky to hold moisture is reduced, hence clearer viewing. All this depends upon the New Moon dates and the availability to book the camp site and where these dates fit in the month. I also try to see if I can fit the New Moon date as close to a weekend as possible. Lesley also opens up the camping area just for us and so excludes the general public. Date and site availability has to bear in mind her yearly opening schedule! Some interesting information for Wigtown. (Precipitation and Temperatures) Dates of the Star Camp picked because of likelihood of best weather combined with hours of darkness, The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 14.5 °C | 58.0 °F. At 4.2 °C | 39.6 °F on average, February is the coldest month of the year. As always those wishing to attend a day or so early and/or stay longer can request this with Lesley at the time of booking! Hope to see you all there. Best wishes.

Hi Everyone, Before I go any further, I have spoken with the site owner Lesley and have to pass on some, REALY IMPORTANT INFORMATION! Due to the very poor attendance during the 2024 Spring Star Party, Lesley has made it quite clear that this will probably be the last Spring Event she will host. She has informed me that they cannot continue to open up the field and facilities, due to the considerable heating and repair costs to the site. Lesley and I realise that some none attendances were completely unavoidable, but never the less it has hit her and her ability to open for us very hard. One or two people in the past have not attended and failed to pay the deposit. This has added to the problems! So, unfortunately............... If there are not enough people attending this Star Camp to cover costs and make it worthwhile. It will be the last Spring Star Camp at Drumroamin! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I am announcing the dates as soon as practical so that people who need to give employers very early dates for holidays can do so. Scotland's Premier Star Camp during the Spring February 2025 It will be held at Drumroamin Camp Site. at: 1 South Balfern, Kirkinner, Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway, DG8 9DB Between Tuesday 25th and Monday 3rd March. (The New Moon is on Thursday the 20th February) These dates contain the weekend following. Location: Drumroamin Latitude: 54.83253 Longitude: -4.45677 This means that observers and imagers are still able to view/image some days before and after the New Moon without moonlight pollution affecting them as shown above. Some time ago I was asked by an SGL member if I had any information regarding the Past/Long-Term Weather around the Wigtown/Newton Stewart area. I hope it is of some interest as to how and why I picked the dates that I have following these data and others on line. For example February might seem a better month for the Spring event, longer nights and possibly colder, but it can be a wetter month, especially in early February. March is supposedly drier, but then it has shorter nights and so loses dark hours to either view or image. Therefore late February to early March seems the better time. But, it all depends upon the New Moon dates available and where they fit in the month. Also I try to see if I can fit in the dates as close to a weekend as possible. Lesley also opens up the camping area just for us and excludes the general public, so these dates have to bear in mind her opening dates! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Some interesting information for Wigtown. (Precipitation and Temperatures) Dates of the Star Camp picked because of likelihood of best weather combined with hours of darkness, The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 14.5 °C | 58.0 °F. At 4.2 °C | 39.6 °F on average, February is the coldest month of the year. As always those wishing to attend a day or so early and/or stay longer can request this with Lesley at the time of booking! Hope to see you all there. Best wishes.

Back home tomorrow so I will be posting new Star Camp dates for 2025 within the next week. Had a few computer stability problems over in Port patrick area. Just need to confer with Lesley about the proposed dates.

I hate processing. Like the rest, 😃

Very nice Jon. So Stu is doing it all for you then................... 😂 Only teasing

me, me too 🙂

Hi everyone. I was going to write this on my laptop but due to forgetting the power supply.... So. on the phone I am afraid (takes ages). I wish to thank everyone who managed to attend the Spring 2024 Drumroamin Scottish Star Camp. I gather everyone had a good time and those first time attendees gave the thumbs up. I managed to get there on Saturday for a brief visit and see some of those left at the end. Everyone I talked to was happy and new attendees also said they wished to return in the Autumn 👍. Great news! So finally I wish to once again thank our hosts, Lesley and Ralph for their continued support. See you all in the Autumn. 🙂

Glad you enjoyed Our Scottish Star Camp. It was a pleasure meeting you this afternoon. I am glad you are wanting to return in the Autumn. Please make sure you book early to avoid disapointment.

So happy for you all. Jon, I will see you in the Autumn, have a safe trip home. Nice picture as well.

Got up into the area by 1435 hrs this afternoon my friends health is slowly improving. So happy about that. Whilst returning to our caravan we could see Orion quite clearly. So I hope those staying on tonight get some good viewing in. If Damian and Ian maybe Jon are there tomorrow. I will pop down to see you all.