Dark site trip "first of the year"

[Timebandit]

 

 

As we are probably well aware in the uk ,that the last few weeks weather has been terrible and getting an observation session in has been almost impossible 

Luckily due to a work project going better than expecting, I had some free time in the afternoon. With itchy feet and checking on the the weather report I made the split decision to head to a dark site. The car was loaded with my grab and go☺, not really but the 14" dob was going to get its first trip out. After loading the car with everything I thought i needed and a bit more ,it was time to go. After hitting the welsh boarder(no passport required) it was then a long drive into the chosen dark site. I will not go into the precise location, but it's enough to say it's a dob mob favourite and a location that holds fond memories for myself. I was introduced to this spot as a small child by my late father , and was a location myself and my father visited many times over the years. So I have many happy memories, but also sadness now as dad is not around to enjoy these trips.

 The journey began and after some traveling distance i thought I better stop for some provisions.About 25 mins away from the dark site location,I decided to stop for some eats(as a last minute decision only had the flask of tea and some crisps. As a treat the local chippy was visited and after explaining to the local ladies about my drive to the dark site ,they kindly gave me extra wrapping to keep everything hot until I could stop. 

On arrival to the dark site locality, as there was still a few hours of daylight then I parked up at some known beauty spots and got the local chippy provisions out and the flask and had a pleasant time of dinner in the sun at a beautiful location. I then decided to take  a walk around , and visit some spots that me and my late father spent time at. 

The day was getting on and dusk was now approaching, therefore back in the car I got ,and travelled the last  few remaining miles left to the dark site spot,t hat i was going to set up at. As night was falling and the weather still fine , then the scope was removed from the car. The 14" reflector was set up on the Dobson mount and unwrapped of its protection . The mirror could now start to adjust to ambient temperature ready to give it's best . 

 With the Sky's now getting darker and darker with every passing minute . More points of light were appearing in the vast amount of sky's above  . Visually through the mark one eyeballs this is the darkest Sky's I have ever seen at a site and the contrast of the dark sky's and points of light of the stars was certainly looking very promising. A few adjustments to the dob was made and a nagler 20mm was placed into the eyepiece. Orion was clearly on show. So I went through to Betelgeuse and then ngc2194, m78, Rigel and then to Orion's sword area m42, m43, trapezium . The dark site conditions certainly made these target pop out more to the eye.  A quick visit to pleiades . Then onto Cassiopeia, double stars to split. Then onto star clusters area m103 ,654,663,659, 225, 129, m52, 7789. The clusters were certainly jumping out. The big dipper was now apparent and therefore the scope was positioned and  cor Caroli into view and then to m94 . From this position to the movement of the scope into m51 and into ngc 5195. At this point I felt a few spoof rain and so cap back on the reflector (as I did not want rain streaks all over the primary mirror). I had hoped it was going to be a passing cloud. But as the rain got heavier, the tarp was got out and placed over the Dobby. The vast points of light in the sky were vastly starting to disappear and the rain clouds came in. I was hoping it was going to move over. But the winds came in and the tarp was strapped down with the bungi cords. A seat in the car was taken and the flask out while the rain hit the screen and the winds blowing around. After about 30 Min the storm  subdued slightly. Getting back out into the observing area and having a look into the distance in every direction all the points of light had disappeared and clouds had rolled in as far as I could see. The wind then picked up again, and I made the decision to get the scope back into the cover of the vehicle. After another 30 min of high wind and heavy rain I decided that the storm was in for good. On the drive back parts of branches off trees were on the road ,that were not there on the way in ,and the storm continued for the next 10miles or so out of the dark site area.

So overall as a Dark site trip only partially successful, unfortunately the weather had stops a very favourable start. But this trip had clearly shown the difference between a true dark site and a light pollution site. So a well worth exercise IMO and I will certainly be back

☺

 

 

 

 

Scope, shoe horned into the vehicle with kit

 

 

Went minimalist with eyepieces. Pentax XW 5, 7 ,10 and the Nagler 20mm

 

 

Lovely views 

 

Sky's looking promising 

 

 

 

 

 

The local chippy was great? . Well you need to keep your strength up for an observation session 

 

Vx out of vehicle 

 

Dobby cooling down and waiting to be unwrapped☺

 

[laudropb]

Very nice report and a most enjoyable read. Just a pity the weather closed in on you, but as you say a trip to truly dark skies makes all the difference.

[cotterless45]

Lovely, better than here, got nearly an hour of clear sky. Couldn't brie de how fast the clouds poured in (again). Pity was the seeing was ace. Such lovely stuff around, got a look out early a few mornings ago. Whole of Summer Triangle up and Saturn in the south east,

old Nick.

[estwing]

great stuff and a lovely report...pity there wasn't more to read but that's the weather for you....ps that domed roof gave it away!!!

[faulksy]

2 hours ago, Timebandit said:

 

 

As we are probably well aware in the uk ,that the last few weeks weather has been terrible and getting an observation session in has been almost impossible 

Luckily due to a work project going better than expecting, I had some free time in the afternoon. With itchy feet and checking on the the weather report I made the split decision to head to a dark site. The car was loaded with my grab and go☺, not really but the 14" dob was going to get its first trip out. After loading the car with everything I thought i needed and a bit more ,it was time to go. After hitting the welsh boarder(no passport required) it was then a long drive into the chosen dark site. I will not go into the precise location, but it's enough to say it's a dob mob favourite and a location that holds fond memories for myself. I was introduced to this spot as a small child by my late father , and was a location myself and my father visited many times over the years. So I have many happy memories, but also sadness now as dad is not around to enjoy these trips.

 The journey began and after some traveling distance i thought I better stop for some provisions.About 25 mins away from the dark site location,I decided to stop for some eats(as a last minute decision only had the flask of tea and some crisps. As a treat the local chippy was visited and after explaining to the local ladies about my drive to the dark site ,they kindly gave me extra wrapping to keep everything hot until I could stop. 

On arrival to the dark site locality, as there was still a few hours of daylight then I parked up at some known beauty spots and got the local chippy provisions out and the flask and had a pleasant time of dinner in the sun at a beautiful location. I then decided to take  a walk around , and visit some spots that me and my late father spent time at. 

The day was getting on and dusk was now approaching, therefore back in the car I got ,and travelled the last  few remaining miles left to the dark site spot,t hat i was going to set up at. As night was falling and the weather still fine , then the scope was removed from the car. The 14" reflector was set up on the Dobson mount and unwrapped of its protection . The mirror could now start to adjust to ambient temperature ready to give it's best . 

 With the Sky's now getting darker and darker with every passing minute . More points of light were appearing in the vast amount of sky's above  . Visually through the mark one eyeballs this is the darkest Sky's I have ever seen at a site and the contrast of the dark sky's and points of light of the stars was certainly looking very promising. A few adjustments to the dob was made and a nagler 20mm was placed into the eyepiece. Orion was clearly on show. So I went through to Betelgeuse and then ngc2194, m78, Rigel and then to Orion's sword area m42, m43, trapezium . The dark site conditions certainly made these target pop out more to the eye.  A quick visit to pleiades . Then onto Cassiopeia, double stars to split. Then onto star clusters area m103 ,654,663,659, 225, 129, m52, 7789. The clusters were certainly jumping out. The big dipper was now apparent and therefore the scope was positioned and  cor Caroli into view and then to m94 . From this position to the movement of the scope into m51 and into ngc 5195. At this point I felt a few spoof rain and so cap back on the reflector (as I did not want rain streaks all over the primary mirror). I had hoped it was going to be a passing cloud. But as the rain got heavier, the tarp was got out and placed over the Dobby. The vast points of light in the sky were vastly starting to disappear and the rain clouds came in. I was hoping it was going to move over. But the winds came in and the tarp was strapped down with the bungi cords. A seat in the car was taken and the flask out while the rain hit the screen and the winds blowing around. After about 30 Min the storm  subdued slightly. Getting back out into the observing area and having a look into the distance in every direction all the points of light had disappeared and clouds had rolled in as far as I could see. The wind then picked up again, and I made the decision to get the scope back into the cover of the vehicle. After another 30 min of high wind and heavy rain I decided that the storm was in for good. On the drive back parts of branches off trees were on the road ,that were not there on the way in ,and the storm continued for the next 10miles or so out of the dark site area.

So overall as a Dark site trip only partially successful, unfortunately the weather had stops a very favourable start. But this trip had clearly shown the difference between a true dark site and a light pollution site. So a well worth exercise IMO and I will certainly be back

☺

 

 

 

 

Scope, shoe horned into the vehicle with kit

 

 

Went minimalist with eyepieces. Pentax XW 5, 7 ,10 and the Nagler 20mm

 

 

Lovely views 

 

Sky's looking promising 

 

 

 

 

 

The local chippy was great? . Well you need to keep your strength up for an observation session 

 

Vx out of vehicle 

 

Dobby cooling down and waiting to be unwrapped☺

 

what a ace little report simon, and congrats onyour best dark skie site around. we love it there

just a shame about the typical weather

[Timebandit]

3 hours ago, laudropb said:

Very nice report and a most enjoyable read. Just a pity the weather closed in on you, but as you say a trip to truly dark skies makes all the difference.

 

2 hours ago, cotterless45 said:

Lovely, better than here, got nearly an hour of clear sky. Couldn't brie de how fast the clouds poured in (again). Pity was the seeing was ace. Such lovely stuff around, got a look out early a few mornings ago. Whole of Summer Triangle up and Saturn in the south east,

old Nick.

 

Thanks. It really was a pity the weather could not play ball for another hour or two as was going to get into Leo, have never done this from a true dark site in the VX 14

 

 

1 hour ago, estwing said:

great stuff and a lovely report...pity there wasn't more to read but that's the weather for you....ps that domed roof gave it away!!!

 

 Thanks Calvin ,I thought the Dob mob would pick up on that, sharp eyes?

 

1 hour ago, faulksy said:

what a ace little report simon, and congrats onyour best dark skie site around. we love it there

just a shame about the typical weather

 

 Hi Mike, Yes great spot, considering what the weather had been like all day sunny and largely clear skys. I was hoping and expecting it would stay clear for most of the night. And really wanted to get some serious galaxy hunting and globs in. Real pity. But did get some observing in . Never mind always next time buddy☺   

[scarp15]

Nice one, a good taster despite the weather closing in. the VX14 is a good companion / traveller. Good luck for next time and take along a full lunch box, you never know you could be there for a 6-8 hour blinder.

[clarkpm4242]

The pictures are a giveaway!

Keep trying and an eye on the weather forecast.

Good luck for next time!

We are there at the end of the month

Cheers

Paul 

[alan potts]

Nice report, if it is any comfort the weather has not been great here, every time I get a scope out into a clear sky, it clouds over.

Alan