Uplooker

That’s not good at all, terrible news☹️

I am the chief cook (who keeps spoiling the broth), Damian is the chief washer upperer

Booked 😇, well, verbally confirmed my already assumed attendance 😁

Still here Derek 😁. Hope all is well with you and Annette. I actually had my 1st dose of the vaccine just over 3 weeks ago.

Hi Jim & Dawn, good to hear you are both keeping well. Did you have a few halfuns when in the obsey, to simulate being at Galloway 😜. I better make sure Leslie knows I am coming, I reckon she has her suspicions 😇.

Hi Derek, Thanks for letting me know about the cancellation. Not an easy decision to take but a necessary one, given the current situation. Its not good that Drumroamin will not be permitted to open until at least April😮. I feel for Leslie, Ralf and other business owners across the British Isles.

Well done Alex! 👍That is crackin image. The focus looks really good, you must have had really short exposure times 😳

Welcome back Ian, I met you at GSP in Oct.

Yes, I heard Richard Darn on Radio 4 Today & TWAO talking about the Yorkshire Dark Sky sites today. He spoke very well and informatively about the benefits to all and highlighted the stress relieving benefits that come from being on your own, by choice to enjoy the wonders above ours heads. I have met Richard on a number of occasions at Galloway Star Party, he even mentioned Galloway Dark Skies site during TWAO interview. You can find more about Richard and the work he does here:- https://gostargazing.co.uk/organiser/richarddarn/

Hi and welcome to SGL,, The first scope you linked to has a spherical primary, which means that this scope is what is generally referred to as a Bird-Jones telescope. That means that it has a correcting lens at the bottom of the focuser tube. It also means that it is very difficult to collimate. The 2nd scope you linked to has a small aperture on a very unstable mount. The 3rd scope appears to be better, slightly, but still not brilliant. I am not sure how to advise you purchase equipment in Latvia or exactly what equipment is available and prices relative to the UK. From the info you gave you seem interested in visual, primarily planetary. The best scope/ value for money generally means a Newtonian/ dobsonian telescope. On that basis I would recommend something like this:- https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p7222_GSO-Dobsonian-Telescope-150C---6-inch-aperture-with-fine-Crayford-focuser.html Not sure if you can order from TS OPTICS, but they are a known and respected supplier. GSO are a known quantity, very similar to Skywatcher. You could also try the site sponsor, but you would need to check their delivery options to Latvia. I believe they do delivery to many nations, other than the UK, but that may have changed since I last looked. Dont worry, there will be plenty other people who will reply - with alternatives. That was my suggestion to meet your requirements and from a trusted supplier - closer to your location.

Well said Derek, totally agree with the stance Leslie and Ralph have taken.

+1 for the Hotech. Not cheap, but worth it

Brilliant capture, well done!

Hi Katie, Personally, I would refrain from spending any money on filters. You will most likely not get the benefit from them. You said you were hopefully getting a red light torch, make sure it is a head torch, preferably one that can be dimmed. How do you collimate your scope? Have you got a Cheshire EP/sight tube? If not I would certainly get one and learn how to use it properly. Having a properly collimated reflector is an absolute must as it will greatly enhance your views. What finder do you use? You could add a Rigel or Telrad. They really help you to get closer to the correct area of the sky quicker and prior to using your presumably straight through finder. As has already been suggested, you could upgrade your EP’s. The BST Starguiders are well recommended as an upgrade from the standard ones supplied with the scope. You could also purchase some solar film and make a filter for the front of your scope so that you may have white light views of the sun. Just make sure you get visual film, NOT photographic https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/baader-astrosolar-safety-film-nd-50.html Hope that helps 😃

Glad you and Annette had a relatively uneventful trip home. Yes indeed, sad it is over yet again but not long til the one 😁

Are you guys on tour?

Back home and majority of things put away. This weekend has shown that even in these strange times we can still have a great star party. Yes, it was different in some respects but still a great time was had by all. Met some new people who I hope to see at future camps and had a yarn with familiar faces. Thanks to Leslie and Ralf for hosting us and maintaining a fantastic campsite. Thanks also to Derek For his organising 👍 Looking forward to the next one.

Well done! What are the details - frames, exposure, equipment??

Remember Darren, wellies are no good at keeping your feet warm at star parties. Only proper snow boots (not the furry/UGG type) or hiking boots with thick socks. Dont think being in a camper van will keep the cold away either, there is not much insulation in those! Have a safe journey. Be careful, the A75 is littered with mobile speed vans

Pointless looking at forecasts! Look outside the tent / van or just look up 🙄 Tells you everything you need to know

Well, I have to say I was glad to hear Boris “the animal” didn’t make any announcements that preclude me from travelling out of my area, so I can definitely make it up on Wednesday afternoon 👍👍👍. Looking forward you seeing new and old attendees. Darren, I think it was PSP 2011 that we last met???

That doesn’t really go faint enough to meet Damian’s needs 😂😂😂

Hi Adrian, Does that mean you are an Irish man, drinking scotch - in England 😂😂😂

Or seaweed

Don’t believe you! How can you have drizzle and a hoolie??