rockystar

Could have been an Iridium flare, but not sure how many are still up there. They were communicate satellites that used to flash very brightly as their solar panels faced the sun. They were a spectacular sight if you caught a glimpse of one, just as you described, but they've been decommissioned now and started to be deorbited (Edit) Just checked, the iridium satellites are still I'm service, but the new ones no longer flare. Don't know if any of the old ones are still.om orbit.

I may not remember all of Thursday evening, but I'm pretty sure it didn't go that far. I had a great weekend, and even got to see those skies and use my telescope. Though heave dew prevented me from having as long as I'd have liked (and the fog that drifted in didn't help either) And just to echo all the thanks to Mike, Lesley and Ralph. And also to Derek and Dave for all they did on Friday night.

Well, it's lovely up here In Dumfries at the moment. Hopefully it will stay this way for three next few hours at least. I'll be there about 3.30-4. See you all soon

I know. Don't become an astronomer in the UK without eternal optimism and a full bottle of whiskey. I'll still be there, it'll only be my fourth out of four star parties I've attended where I've barely looked through my telescope

Well, it looks like two more half decent nights for those that are there early, then i arrive for 4 days of rain

Nice a clear here too. Also had a look at Saturn last night, but it's so low I have to prop my dob up to get it over the neighbour's house. Hope it's the same up there and it stays that way for the next week

This is what I was worried about with all this rain . As we got cancelled a couple of years ago because the field was flooded. Fingers crossed it will be ok. And next Thursday is when I'll be arriving, so I'll bring them clear skies with me

Cheers Mike, I've got a ground sheet to go with it (as well as the built in one) It'll all fit. It has no choice. Looking forward to it.

I need this rain to pause so I can practice putting up my new tent, and work out how to my new scope in the car...

Me 3

I remember being out with @mapstar one evening, he was trying to persuade me that there was a galaxy in the eyepiece; I remain unconvinced On another occasion, someone more experienced talked me through observing the Leo triplet; I'd go the two messiers easy enough, but with him talking me through where the other was and what I was looking for I eventually saw it. Moral of this I think, is that some times you just need to know what you are looking for. Another occasion I was at an open evening with the local astro group looking at M57. It was obvious and clearly visible, yet one person, who had never looked through a telescope just couldn't see it until we told him to look for the smoke ring.

I may have just ruined it for everyone by buying a new telescope. Sorry (not sorry). Hopefully there are some great skies to give it a good run out.

PM sent, if still available?

I've quit my job to make sure that I get a few days here this time - kind of true, my contract ends on the 30th, I'll be there on 31st. Probably stay until Monday. Not sure what you'll think of this, but I'm going to be bringing some Welsh whiskey with me... Getting excited now. I haven't had my scope out, or been on the forum for about 6 months.

Booked