New Horizons

[Zermelo]

No – it’s not that one.  Sorry, Kuiper Belt fans.

I’ve been out of proper observing since the start of the year due to an extended house move, stuff in storage, etc., but I finally managed to get out last night for the first time in the new location.

We have moved West by one county (to Devon) and up one Bortle class (not the only criterion for the destination, but a significant one). The neighbours and streetlights are a bit further away, and the horizons are much improved.

My previous Southern horizon was my own house and the adjacent ones, and my short back garden meant that anything low down was obscured.  The nine Messier objects that I have yet to see were all thwarted for that reason.
The views North and West were also partly obstructed (by trees and fences), and only the East was half decent (if using a tallish tripod).

My new Southern horizon is much improved:

though the apple trees may need a little pruning.

This is the view from NE round to SE, a.k.a. Dartmoor:

 

The garden does have a pronounced slope, and some groundworks may be needed in the longer term to create a decent observing spot.
However, the previous owners did install some level decking, for the purpose of looking at the view:

You may be thinking the same thing that I did, when I first set eyes on that arrangement ...

 

 

That’s better.

So we had a short session with the Dob last night. 
CO had forecast 100% high cloud so I hadn’t planned a list as I usually do, and no goto available of course. As it turned out, wispy cloud did dominate, but it was mobile and there were some gaps. So I picked a few favourites that I knew I could find easily. Mizar and Izar both split comfortably, Albireo was as colourful as ever, M13 showed resolved stars well into the core, the Double Double split at higher magnification, and M57 was more obvious than I’ve ever seen it before.
The Southern horizon was a bit murky with cloud, but I was pleased to see Scorpius in easy view, and a few stars that were probably in Sagittarius. Those missing Messiers may be bagged this year.

It was hard to judge the sky darkness with the cloud around, and of course we have lost astro dark anyway. But I did clearly see Alcor with the naked eye, and I don’t recall having done that before.

It seems a shame to wish the Summer away, but I’m already looking forward to darker nights.

 

 

Edited June 3 by Zermelo

[Elp]

What a wonderful part of the world

[glafnazur]

Beautiful view over Dartmoor. Looks like a great place 👍

[Marvin Jenkins]

I was thinking get rid of the birch. There is a hole there for a pier! And the title pure click bait, shame on you 🤣

[Zermelo]

49 minutes ago, Marvin Jenkins said:

I was thinking get rid of the birch.

It did cross my mind, but I'm loathe to cut them down. Some trimming might be in order, though.

[TiffsAndAstro]

4 hours ago, Zermelo said:

No – it’s not that one.  Sorry, Kuiper Belt fans.

I’ve been out of proper observing since the start of the year due to an extended house move, stuff in storage, etc., but I finally managed to get out last night for the first time in the new location.

We have moved West by one county (to Devon) and up one Bortle class (not the only criterion for the destination, but a significant one). The neighbours and streetlights are a bit further away, and the horizons are much improved.

My previous Southern horizon was my own house and the adjacent ones, and my short back garden meant that anything low down was obscured.  The nine Messier objects that I have yet to see were all thwarted for that reason.
The views North and West were also partly obstructed (by trees and fences), and only the East was half decent (if using a tallish tripod).

My new Southern horizon is much improved:

though the apple trees may need a little pruning.

This is the view from NE round to SE, a.k.a. Dartmoor:

 

The garden does have a pronounced slope, and some groundworks may be needed in the longer term to create a decent observing spot.
However, the previous owners did install some level decking, for the purpose of looking at the view:

You may be thinking the same thing that I did, when I first set eyes on that arrangement ...

 

 

That’s better.

So we had a short session with the Dob last night. 
CO had forecast 100% high cloud so I hadn’t planned a list as I usually do, and no goto available of course. As it turned out, wispy cloud did dominate, but it was mobile and there were some gaps. So I picked a few favourites that I knew I could find easily. Mizar and Izar both split comfortably, Albireo was as colourful as ever, M13 showed resolved stars well into the core, the Double Double split at higher magnification, and M57 was more obvious than I’ve ever seen it before.
The Southern horizon was a bit murky with cloud, but I was pleased to see Scorpius in easy view, and a few stars that were probably in Sagittarius. Those missing Messiers may be bagged this year.

It was hard to judge the sky darkness with the cloud around, and of course we have lost astro dark anyway. But I did clearly see Alcor with the naked eye, and I don’t recall having done that before.

It seems a shame to wish the Summer away, but I’m already looking forward to darker nights.

 

 

Previous owner made a hole for a pier in the decking.

Also, Napalm is your friend.

[callisto]

Very nice indeed 👍 

[Epick Crom]

Enjoy your New Horizons @Zermelo👍

[bosun21]

I hope you put those horizons to good use @Zermelo. Good luck with your new home.

[PeterC65]

Looks like a lovely new place to live and to observe. I look forward to hearing about your astronomy from your new home.

[happy-kat]

enjoy your new place and a bountiful autumn harvest of fruit you've got growing in the apple tress

[PeterStudz]

Looks brilliant… most jealous. And if you have too many apples I’m almost tempted to come down and “relieve” you of some for my cider 😀

[Captain Scarlet]

Well Done! I look forward to your reports. That Silver Birch is small and young, it should be perfectly easily transplanted I reckon.

Magnus