Dark Skies Weekend

[Albireo380]

The Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde run a "Dark Skies Weekend" each year, up in Glen Feshie, about 10 miles south of Aviemore. I and 13 others + 2 University lectruers were there from the 3rd to 5th March this year. Between us we had a 10" Dob, 2 LX90s, a C5, a home made 6" Dob and several refractors (70-90mm) + many binoculars from 7x50 to 25x100.

We got to the outward bound centre "Lagganlia" where we would be based about 7.00pm on Friday evening. The snow was 6" deep on the ground and it was overcast - damm. By 8.30pm it had cleared from the north. It was crisp, clear and cold (-3 degrees). The viewing just got better and better. We could see down to magnitude 6 (honest). The double cluster and M35 were naked eye - it appeared that M38 was also, but that could have been combined wishful thinking. Earthshine on the 3 day moon was spectacular.

Comparisons of the 10" ob and an LX 90 on Saturn had more contrasty views with the 10" Dob. The 80mm refractors made the Pleiades breathtaking. A good night was had by all (aided by several beerrs / single malts, - we had enough alcohol to floor an ox - at 3.00am when it clouded over).

The Saturday dawned grey and we got another 2-3" of snow. But by 9.00pm it was clear again. Perhaps not quite as transparent as the previous night, but still worth being at the top of a ski tow at 3.00am to see Jupiter rise over the Cairngorms - but I was too knackered by that time to take any photos (sorry). It was also down to -7 degrees !

The days were spent sharing experiences, photos etc and getting lectures on such topics as "Variable Stars" and "The Stellar lifecycle".

A great weekend was had by us all. Friendships were formed and sleep deprivation ignored.

Who says Academia is dry and no fun. We had a great time.

Tom

[Martin 2]

Tom, great report, a good read.

God you must have needed that scotch up there, and foot warmers, I was cold enough down here in devon, and it was only -2.

Martin 2

[OXO]

Enjoyed your post, nothing much better than a bunch of like minded people meeting up under the stars is there..

James

[daz]

What a great report Tom, and sounds like a great weekend as well!!

Might be worth a visit next year!

[radioactive]

Great report Tom Heard a lot of good reports of viewing in the scottish hills nearest I will get to that this year will be Keilder late april time that starcamp will be run by the Sunderland AS

[Naz]

Glad you had a good trip, thought of you because of all the snow that was falling here.

-7, my that was warm for the Cairngorms.

nabban