Hi there West Midlands Stargazers :o)

[Astro_LJ]

Are any of you near the Warwickshire/ West Midlands boundaries? I'm looking for some darker sites in my direction so that I can obtain better Deep Sky images. It would be super if I could find a safe, piece of land someone would give me permission to set my equipment on so that I can get some pics every now and then.

[Paulus17]

Hello LJ and welcome to WMs group

Take a gander in the safe sites thread for safe places to gaze theres a few in there to choose from.

[Dazzyd]

Hi LJ and welcome. There's a plugin thing for Google Earth which overlays colours onto the map showing the extent of the light polution around the country. It could be very useful for finding a much less light poluted area then turning off the overlay and looking what places are there which could possibly be used. I've got my eye on Clun just past Craven Arms, it's in the dark dark section which could be amazing for viewing, especially in a month or two when the skies get darker earlier. I can't find the link to the file for the LP overlay but I'll keep searching and post the link up... unless someone here knows what it is

[Garfield]

Welcome,

Im in west mids but not far from warwick either,

If you find any spots let me know and i shall do the same.

[Viv]

Hello LJ & welcome

i'm Coventry, so probably not that far from you.

Am sure there must be one down the Fosse ...........

[Astro_LJ]

Hi all

Thanks for making me feel welcome! Sorry for the delay- I'm still trying to get used to forums. Dazzyd that is very useful. Thank you. Garfield- I will let you know if I find any.

[miguel87]

Hi LJ, I am right at the junction of warwickshire, worcestershire and the west midlands. I'm not sure exactly where you are but I often go to earlswood reservoir, the grounds of umberslade farm near ullenhall, also I don't know if you are aware of 'Sherwood's Photo' a telescope shop in Morton Bagot, Warwickshire, it's a bit of a jaunt for me but the skies around there are amazing! Oh and the garden of the black boy pub is pretty dark and convenient.

Mike

[Paulus17]

Is that the Blackboy pub on the Warwick road just outside Knowle??

[miguel87]

That's the one, I've used it before cause there's a big flat lawn out front and the car park never closes (no barrier etc). Also about as dark as I can get without driving more than 15mins.

[Paulus17]

What sort of time do you usually get there for.?

Whenever we've drove past it'S usually pretty well lit up?

Have you got permission to use the grounds?

The farm site is only just a little further on from the BB.

[miguel87]

Have only used black boy 3 times, probably after 1am when I know it's going to be clear. Yes once you're out past umberslade into warwickshire then options are endless really, many quiet roads and fields with public footpaths, football pitches, rugby pitches etc. No we did not have permission at the black boy. It would be nice to have an easily accessible, relatively flat 'official' viewing spot. In reality tho, very few land owners are in the business of opening up their grounds overnight when they don't know exactly what is going on and they could be held legally responsible for anything that takes place. Will have a look next time I'm over that way, see if anywhere in particular stands out. I have heard rumour that some old disused WWII airfields are public land but never got very far looking into this.