Any good sites near Cramlington, Northumberland?

[Kriss Craik]

Hi, I'm looking for somewhere close by with less light pollution than in the town, anyone got any ideas?

[Kriss Craik]

Also does anyone meet up around here?

[purdo]

Hi, put a post also on the Community Forum - Astro Lounge as more people may read it there.  Just a suggestion.

[Daveb3650]

Sunderland Astro Club meet at Washington Wetlands......Cramlington is a bit like North Shields....loads of lamp posts spoiling everything.

[Kriss Craik]

Yeah, tried northumberlandia the other night but the cars drive with their full beams on

[ronin]

Odd question, but did you ask this about 4 to 6 months ago?

If not you then there is someone else very close to you.

Best area looks like between the A1 and the A696.

Due West of you there looks like a couple of small lakes with access roads, a few hndreds meters West of them is the Northumberland Cheese Company. The lakes may be a good place to try.

[DRT]

If you want an occasional really dark sky you could head over to designated dark site at Kielder Forest, which is just over an hour from you.

[ArmyAirForce]

Sunderland Astro Society have a dark site at Derwent Reservoir. It's about 40 minutes from me in Washington, and possibly a similar time for you. It is private land and locked, so can only be accessed when the keyholders are opening up. Part of being an SAS member is having Text Alerts when events at the Wetlands centre in Washington are happening and when the derwent site is open.

I've been to Longhorsley Moor a few times observing, but don't know North of the Tyne well enough to know potential good spots.

[Demon Barber]

Kriss,head up the coast,the further north the better,or keilder for a longer session.

Then there`s always Alnwick and points north.

Regards

Mike

[Kriss Craik]

Odd question, but did you ask this about 4 to 6 months ago?

If not you then there is someone else very close to you.

Best area looks like between the A1 and the A696.

Due West of you there looks like a couple of small lakes with access roads, a few hndreds meters West of them is the Northumberland Cheese Company. The lakes may be a good place to try.

[Kriss Craik]

Not an odd question, only been on here for a week but I did read a previous post about this? Which is why I ventured to northumberlandia. Thanks I'll have a look into the cheese farm

[Kriss Craik]

Thanks, I'll have a look at the coast and see if there are ang good stopping points away from the roads

[Daveb3650]

The Sunderland astro Gand regularly meet up at Derwent Water.......it is a really good spot.....A69 ....Turn off on the Corbridge roundabout.......few miles down the road..... A truly great night out and really dark skies.....sometimes ...

[ronin]

I asked as I am sure there was an identical question before you appear to have joined.

The reason was that I recall looking up the location and I recall saying what at the conditions like at the junction of the A192 and A1068. That rectangle of roads stuck in my memory.

Assuming not yourself some months back there is I suspect someone else in Cramlington with a scope. :eek: :eek:

[Kriss Craik]

Yeah I read your response and was hoping the person who Asked originally would have an update. Can't seem to find the thread now to write a post on?

[ronin]

Strange how something sticks and that rectangle of roads to your North West sort of "stuck" in my memory.

Just about all my relatives are up your way so that also made you question stand out.

[scarp15]

It may be surprising how far due West you may need to travel to get reasonably away from the Newcastle Skyglow - I sometimes head near to Otterburn. I would suggest having a scout around the Rothbury area, Kirkwhelpington or heading a bit further North say towards Ingram Valley.

However as others have mentioned, would recommend Derwent Reservoir on approach to Blanchland and perhaps one of Sunderland Astro's dark sky meets.

[Kriss Craik]

Thanks scarp I'll have a look into those places

[dph1nm]

There is always http://www.nastro.org.uk/ - they are up the coast at Low Hauxley.

NigelM

[damnut]

You are about 10 miles from widdrington, and druridge bay. this would give you a sea horizon from the beach 'car park'. The skies are very dark, travel a lot up there and take my trusty st120... One time jupiter was so bright and only about 15 deg off horizon and casting light on the water...Some bright spark thought it was a distresss flare and called the coastguards dispatching tynemouth lifboat and helo from Boulmer!!..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-15165928

http://article.wn.com/view/2011/10/04/Tynemouth_lifeboat_search_after_planet_Jupiter_mistaken_for_/

[Kriss Craik]

You are about 10 miles from widdrington, and druridge bay. this would give you a sea horizon from the beach 'car park'. The skies are very dark, travel a lot up there and take my trusty st120... One time jupiter was so bright and only about 15 deg off horizon and casting light on the water...Some bright spark thought it was a distresss flare and called the coastguards dispatching tynemouth lifboat and helo from Boulmer!!..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-15165928

http://article.wn.com/view/2011/10/04/Tynemouth_lifeboat_search_after_planet_Jupiter_mistaken_for_/

[Kriss Craik]

lol, Thanks

[Geordie mc]

Newcastle astro society meet at the Red Cross hall in Newcastle on the west road. They have observing sessions at Cawfields Quarry near Haltwhistle. Very good dark site.