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Marc1964

By Marc1964
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Marc1964

Marc1964

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So I am contemplating a last minute few days away. Obviously I am planning to take either a telescope or my binoculars and thinking about where to go. Thought about Malta but heavy light pollution. Canaries springs to mind... Any recommendations for cheap, cheerful and dark skies??? 

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Greymouser

Greymouser

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Does it have to be abroad @Marc1964?

If not try this place: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/

A Bortle of 2 SQM: 21.96  https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=11.70&lat=51.2049&lon=-4.6197&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF

Much overlooked and looks very nice and easily accessible if able-bodied. :smiley:

Or alternatively, the Isle of Lewis or Harris in Scotland, with Bortle 1 skies. Isle of Skye too, if you can cope with the tourists! ( Never mind my sister in the hospital if things go wrong... :tongue:

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Marc1964

Marc1964

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1 hour ago, Greymouser said:

Does it have to be abroad @Marc1964?

If not try this place: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/

A Bortle of 2 SQM: 21.96  https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=11.70&lat=51.2049&lon=-4.6197&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF

Much overlooked and looks very nice and easily accessible if able-bodied. :smiley:

Or alternatively, the Isle of Lewis or Harris in Scotland, with Bortle 1 skies. Isle of Skye too, if you can cope with the tourists! ( Never mind my sister in the hospital if things go wrong... :tongue:

I love the islands and highlands; doesn't have to be abroad but thinking wistfully about some sun and the opportunity to be outside without the need for thermals. Their are, of course, distilleries to be taken into consideration... 

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Marc1964

Marc1964

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1 hour ago, Greymouser said:

Does it have to be abroad @Marc1964?

If not try this place: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/

A Bortle of 2 SQM: 21.96  https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=11.70&lat=51.2049&lon=-4.6197&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF

Much overlooked and looks very nice and easily accessible if able-bodied. :smiley:

Or alternatively, the Isle of Lewis or Harris in Scotland, with Bortle 1 skies. Isle of Skye too, if you can cope with the tourists! ( Never mind my sister in the hospital if things go wrong... :tongue:

Lundy has no availability for my dates and I have no flexibility... 

Kielder next... 

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Zermelo

Zermelo

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16 hours ago, Greymouser said:

Does it have to be abroad @Marc1964?

If not try this place: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/

A Bortle of 2 SQM: 21.96  https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=11.70&lat=51.2049&lon=-4.6197&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF

Much overlooked and looks very nice and easily accessible if able-bodied.

I spent a week there once, really enjoyed it, but didn't see a single star.
 

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OK Apricot

OK Apricot

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Fuerteventura national park is excellent, the only real light pollution being a bit of glow from Morro Jable. Tight windy rocky/Gravel Road to get there but so worth it when you get down towards the lighthouse where it levels and smooths off somewhat. It's where I had my first real taste of dark skies - a truly unforgettable experience! 

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Cjg

Cjg

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On 11/03/2023 at 21:02, Marc1964 said:

So I am contemplating a last minute few days away. Obviously I am planning to take either a telescope or my binoculars and thinking about where to go. Thought about Malta but heavy light pollution. Canaries springs to mind... Any recommendations for cheap, cheerful and dark skies??? 

Cheap and cheerful holidays abroad often in my experience equate to large towns with lots of light pollution, although at this time of year, more chances of clear skies in the Canaries than the UK.

If you want a dark sky destination in the UK, then I can recommend the Hideaway Huts, a 5 minute drive / 20 minute walk from the Northumberland National Park Discovery Centre. The hut that I've stayed in (3 times) has an observing pad, and the owners will loan you a Dob too.  Of course you're then within easy walking distance of Hadriands Wall and Sycamore Gap etc too. 

Some pics on the review I left at 

 

Good luck, wherever you go.

 

Chris

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Marc1964

Marc1964

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10 hours ago, Cjg said:

Cheap and cheerful holidays abroad often in my experience equate to large towns with lots of light pollution, although at this time of year, more chances of clear skies in the Canaries than the UK.

If you want a dark sky destination in the UK, then I can recommend the Hideaway Huts, a 5 minute drive / 20 minute walk from the Northumberland National Park Discovery Centre. The hut that I've stayed in (3 times) has an observing pad, and the owners will loan you a Dob too.  Of course you're then within easy walking distance of Hadriands Wall and Sycamore Gap etc too. 

Some pics on the review I left at 

 

Good luck, wherever you go.

 

Chris

Chris your Hideaway Huts are instantly appealing. I'm going to read your reports with interest... 

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Marc1964

Marc1964

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21 hours ago, OK Apricot said:

Fuerteventura national park is excellent, the only real light pollution being a bit of glow from Morro Jable. Tight windy rocky/Gravel Road to get there but so worth it when you get down towards the lighthouse where it levels and smooths off somewhat. It's where I had my first real taste of dark skies - a truly unforgettable experience! 

Been to Fuerteventura before and it is on the list.... 

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Marc1964

Marc1964

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On 13/03/2023 at 13:16, Zermelo said:

I spent a week there once, really enjoyed it, but didn't see a single star.
 

This is the risk of being in the UK... Knowing my luck the few days I have away will be the sort of weather that one should only suffer after spending truly extravagant amounts of money at our favourite purveyor of astronomical goods... 

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LukeSkywatcher

LukeSkywatcher

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Posted (edited)
On 12/03/2023 at 03:24, JeremyS said:

I hear canaries going cheap at the moment 🤔

I prefer Parrots.

Myself and Lorna are going to Donegal on Thursday for 3 nights. It's her birthday treat for me. I'm hoping for some aurora activity.

Edited by LukeSkywatcher
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Marc1964

Marc1964

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So... Work (job interview) put paid to going abroad. Also put paid to the Hideaway Huts mentioned above by @Cjg. Next option was a few day in Dorset but the weather....

Here the rain is torrential rain and fair amount of wind. No prospect of viewing for a week according to the forecast. 

Maybe retiring to a glass of whisky is just the only option!!! 

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