Alan White

And I thought I was trudging out to observe.

That is exactly how it felt, but very pleased with the end result, even Mrs. W does not dislike the finished item.

Its probably one of a number of reasons France has so many Ex Pats

Funny story, when my issue was at its peak, I did contemplate some road lighting rigs hired and pointed at next door. The moral stance I took however prevented such action on my part, but the annoyed part of me still is tempted at times.

I built my observing area screened patch, that improves things a lot, but not fully. But I did get my astro mojo back at home by doing this.

Good luck with this, its very common as is the poor response by neighbours. My dear neighbour was very impolite and abusive although I was all polite and remained very calm, the light shining in the bedrooms was resolved via involving the council, the 16 light into the sky were not however! I now enjoy lunar and solar observing and double stars from home, anything else really needs a darker sky trip sadly. In answer to your comment 'Why do people behave like this', well its because they are selfish, care for no one else or anything else other than themselves.

Possibly down to available storage space, seeing conditions, dark skies and available money.

And the fitted end result:

Plan to Jeremy, just got fed up with a PC screen. Something special about paper and print, soundly older by the day..... at work today I uttered the word, 'You Youngsters' and then immediately regretted the wording!

Well DHL have very quickly delivered a parcel from Serge at Astro Devices, what a nice guy he is, so helpful. Now on charge and I will try and fit the kit to my OOUK 250 tonight, its raining after all.

Postie Pete has been, more Astro goodies. Well I changed from electronic to paper based BAA membership as was not reading the Journal online, having spent all day on a PC or tablet, somehow paper is a nice break. The Animal hat is a new addition to the woolly hat collection, you have to wear the correct outfit after all. Oh and as a teaser, DHL have arrived with a somewhat more expensive delivery too...... from a land down under 😉

Very nice looking instrument and I am just a little green with envy.

Postie Pete called again today, smaller purchase, but fits the Sabre mount well and holds the ED103 snugly. Berlebach Vixen clamp, M6 holes at 35mm centres.

I think I should have received an umbrella in the post for this month..... still time though ☔

So pleased that a Vixen scope is bringing you so much enjoyment Vin. I adore my ED103s, and it has provided me with and will continue to provide endless enjoyment. Shame the weather and seeing for me has been so poor of late, but that is Astro for you!

or a rotating turret of scopes, not eyepieces, now there is an idea Jeremy....

Nice addition to the fleet, you will soon have more Taks than FLO have.

I can see the temptation in a unreal bargain Fozzie, but I am not sure I would have bitten. Your either crazier, braver or far more an Optimist than myself, probably all 3!

Great looking at your sketches Mike and others images and comments, I am beginning to learn more about mars beyond its a red dot!

Thanks for that, in that case, what I thought were polar areas were not when I observed a few nights ago. The southern cap is very defined and bright white indeed. I will have to learn more now of course.

This is looking amazing Mark, what a wonderful scope and journey you have taken, and all in the name of practice for bigger, wow, that’s dedicated.

Great image, thanks for sharing. Makes the ongoing cloud and never ending rain very frustrating here. As a question for the seasoned Mars observers, the bright white small area, is that a polar region?

Look forward to seeing your future fruits.

Darn autocorrect strikes again.... Clealy stonking not stinking was my intended wording, it nearly corrected again as I typed this!

Nice to read that you had a good view and enjoyed yourself Vin, I too was out and enjoyed similar views and conditions. I was using my fine ED103s Vixen, which I highly rate, it’s a stonking scope and a bargain used. Mars is truly giving this time round, not a dust storm in sight......thank goodness.