wakefield area

[crashtestdummy]

Think i actually found 9.its a bit called the Markarian chain.the maps.i have in turn left at orion proved good but i need another night for the rest and leo/ursa major galaxies

How does the site compare to the lakes site?

[nicks90]

i take it this is the patch of messiers between leo and virgo?

[skiorh]

crash: yes mate, that must be it! another thing learned

it is pretty similar to be honest, as I said, the fact that you don't see the southern LP horizon in the Lakes helps as it feels a bit darker. But just by comparing M51 and amount of detail you can work out, very similar sights. We can do a trip there sometimes if you want. Difficult to judge given the different atmospheric conditions as well. But it is like comparing the difference between TV and ES eyepieces, haha.

North Wales near Bala is next on my list, last time the seeing was Rubbish.

nicks90: yes mate, too many galaxies in such a small area

[skiorh]

Thanks for that Rich, just checked the Markarian's chain and it matches my drawing exactly - well chuffed!

[Nephalem]

finally got my DIY powertank working....so I am able to go mobile :-)

Just got to wait for some clear skies.....see you in 2014 then! :-)

[mapstar]

Well done nephalem, I'm sure these clouds can't stay forever!

[crashtestdummy]

The maps i have from turn left at orion im going to scan and print off and add the galaxies from my other map to make it easier.

Nicks90-its the virgo coma galaxy cluster area

[nicks90]

ah, that will be that big patch of black sky with nothing in it because of the LP in my street

[Nephalem]

Is it going to be clear tonight ? I think the weather is teasing us....

[mapstar]

Banging it down here! I did manage an hour last night was superb just to get a few views in!

[Soupy]

Still more cloud. Is there ever going to be an end to this or should we all just up sticks and move somewhere else.

[crashtestdummy]

looks like it may be clear wednesday night but not sure if i will go too far with the moon getting fuller and higher but could risk it

[crashtestdummy]

ah, that will be that big patch of black sky with nothing in it because of the LP in my street

you wont see anything with an light pollution.I remember having my first look at that patch of sky with my 200p from the back garden and seeing zilch then the other night with an estimated 21 sqm and a 12" i saw so many galaxies in that area i couldnt recognise which were which!!

[mapstar]

Light pollution is a real pain and I've been struggling in my back garden with viewing but still managed to see some nice stuff.I'd be up for a trip out wed night if its going to be o.k.?

[Nephalem]

Light pollution is a real pain and I've been struggling in my back garden with viewing but still managed to see some nice stuff.I'd be up for a trip out wed night if its going to be o.k.?

I might be up for going out...probably be after 9pm though. How did you get on with aligning your reticule on your HEQ5 Pro ? I had a slight nightmare :-)

[nicks90]

you wont see anything with an light pollution.I remember having my first look at that patch of sky with my 200p from the back garden and seeing zilch then the other night with an estimated 21 sqm and a 12" i saw so many galaxies in that area i couldnt recognise which were which!!

yep - its a killer. But even with rubbish LP I can still have some fun in the garden. planetary stuff is still good, the brighter double stars (really need that 90mm F13 frac on Astro B&S!) and you cant beat ticking off the lunar 100.

[mapstar]

I didn't do too bad followed the you tube video by the astronomy shed guy, using a television mast outside to line it up. I'm not 100% sure its correct as the image wobbles (but the cross stays centred on the target point) when I rotate the right ascension but no one seems to know the answer if there is one? the tracking is quite good although I've not had it go directly to anything always having to give it a slight tweak to get the object in view. 9pm onwards would be good for me.

[crashtestdummy]

I will likely stay local with the moon being out but depends on the weather.winscarr isnt more than an hour away so may have a bash if it looks clear.

[mapstar]

I'm up for winscarr.Working at 6 this morning but woke up an hour early (4am) and it was clear as a whistle outside so decided rather than put my head down again to get out for a few views.Managed to see M57 the ring nebula and was a great wow moment can't wait to see it in proper dark skies.It was a shame to pack the scope away and head for work!

[nicks90]

can you ping me the details of the meeting place for Winscarr? If its looking decent tomorrow then i shall be there!

[crashtestdummy]

At the moment the weather looks only good around midnight onwards which is a bit late for me so i will probably be a no no

[mapstar]

Winscarr carpark just before the sailing club if anyone is still up for it. I have all night to get some views in although its all weather dependant! located at +53° 30' 53.61", -1° 46' 16.84" Damian

[Nephalem]

Weather is not looking good at all....at winscar its patially cloudy around 9pm but clear at midnight. Rather frustrating....most of my kit is still in its boxes!

[nicks90]

snowing... unbelievable. Plus astropanel is showing transparency and seeing to be on their worst settings for this evening and overnight. So I think I'll take a miss.

If it does clear up enough to see the moon, i may break out the webcam and try some imaging in the back garden.

[mapstar]

Yeah not looking too good? Although not been impressed by astro panel as it has always been wrong for me? Glad I got out the other morning before work! See how things go?