Kielder Spring 2017

[Dixie]

All hard standings are now booked for Kielder Spring 22 - 27 March but we have some tent pitches left.   All the information you need is at  kielderforeststarcamp.org  You can come earlier, or stay later.

If you don't know the event it's based over five nights on Kielder Campsite in the darkest part of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park.

Lots of cash has been spent on the site with more hard standing, dark sky friendly lighting, 24/7 large warm room, new toilet block and improved drainage.  We welcome experienced observers and novices.

The main day is at Kielder Castle on Saturday 25 March and is FREE to everyone.  We'll have talks on exo-planets, remote observatories and more, plus astro boot sale. Runs between 11am to 4pm.

Last year we had a lovely aurora on the last night of the event.  Pix Stu Atkinson.

If you can join us we'd love to see you.

 

 

 

[UKJay1971]

It's at times like this I regret being a teacher. Still, the 13 weeks off do soften the blow a little (and I am up at Kielder 2 weeks afterwards)

[Dixie]

The good news is the dark sky friendly lighting is a permanent fixture so astronomy is doable all year round!

[astronymonkey]

Not long to go now so I wondered who else on SGL was attending.

Ill be there for fridqy and saturdy night so fingers crossed for clear skies. I dont have an observing plan yet but im going to draw something up this weekend along with a few bits I want to sort out on the scope.

Cheers

[Astroscot2]

Ive not been a for a few years so looking forward to catching up with familiar faces.

 

Mark

[Dixie]

Quite a few changes Mark - all positive. Big new warm room, refurbished toilets, better drainage, more hard stands, and full time dark sky friendly lighting outside of our event dates.  Looking forward to meeting everyone next week. Pix Stu Atkinson.

[Dixie]

And here's a pithy reminder of the frustrations of imaging in the field from Stu (Atkinson).  But the final result is often worth it!

[astronymonkey]

IVe been checking the forecast for next friday and saturday and its looking promising so far. I know its still  week away but at least it means i can live in hope of some clear skies.

IM going to piant the dob base this weekend and do some tinkering.

CHeers

[astronymonkey]

Another look at the forecast and saturday is looking good with some clear skies on friday too. The wind will have dropped and there might be a frost so could be a good one

Scopes and caravan are prepared so just food and beer to get now.

Cheers

[scarp15]

Have a good time, wanted to come along to this, but unable to commit to a full weekend this time unfortunately and yes the weather forecast does look potentially promising.

[The Head Gardener]

Back home late last night and we've spent all day in the (thankfully sunny) garden washing down groundsheets, the bottom of the awning, and all the other essential post-Kielder housekeeping.

Just want to thank everyone for a fabulous weekend.  Obviously Lynn, Kevin and Richard because without them we wouldn't have such a wonderful Starcamp, to Derek for help above-and-beyond with a badly behaved awning and a completely flat car battery, to Rob for his endless patience and advice, and for all the other folk who I won't even try to name because I will miss someone out, but if you spent any time with us and Daisy-dog then you know who you are!

After a fairly miserable start where I threatened to go and look for a wooden boat and animals in pairs, the weather cleared and we had some of the best skies you could possibly wish for.  The night-time viewing was awesome and I had a (nearly) all day session with the Lunt on Saturday, and another few hours solar watching on Sunday before we packed up.  The massive prominence we watched on Saturday is still there and very changeable, with a lovely active region and two big spots visible today.

[Dixie]

Thanks to everybody who came along to a pretty spectacular 26th starcamp.  We will be doing it again this October. Bookings for that open in the next couple of days.

Richard