Hi From Brum!

[CaptPaul]

Hi everyone.

Im currently looking at buying my first scope so was just wandering if anyone knows any good places to go out around birmingham as i live close to the centre.

Thanks!

[Paxo]

Hi CaptPaul,

A very warm welcome to SGL.

Steve..

[CaptPaul]

Thanks

Oh and i ment to go out and look at the sky not just to celebrate getting my first scope! lol

Paul

[Roy]

Welcome to the forum Paul

[Saturn1]

Hi Paul, & welcome to SGL.

A good place to start would be FLO (see header at top of page), they have a good range, & are very helpful, just not in Brum.

You can get a lot of good advice from the guys & gals here, but to start with, what's your budget, & are you buying for observing or for imaging as well?

Tony

[phillc]

Hello Paul and a warm welcome to SGL.

phillc

[CaptPaul]

well i put a post in a different place on here and got some advice so for my budget (about 175-200) alot of people keep saying the skywatcher explorer 130PM so i think im goin for that one. also i would like to do some photography but not for a good while yet i would have to start saving for a camera so at the moment just for observing so i can find my way around and learn about what i want to photograph.

[steve_bham]

Hi and welcome from a fellow brummie

[Talitha]

Hi and welcome to SGL, Paul.

[CaptPaul]

Hi and welcome from a fellow brummie

Do you know of any good places to go with dark skys around??

[peeceeTal2M]

Probably have to go out to the bewdley area to get some darker skies, if you have google earth i'm sure there is a dark sky overlay you can get for it. Welcome to SGL by the way

[CaptPaul]

That sounds good does it show you the darkest places?

[steve_bham]

Do you know of any good places to go with dark skys around??

I travel 30mins down the M54 to shropshire way, much better skies out that way. If you have a look at google maps it will give you a good idea, then concat local farmers and ask if you can use their land. One way i found out was usefull is to have a drive round in the day and see what you like the look off, its always better to have a look in the day time just so you know your way around a bit.

[Starjumper]

Hi Captpaul,

Welcome to SGL.

John

[Rusty Strings]

Hi Paul anda welcome to SGL from me

John

[johnh]

Welcome from me, John.

[Astro_Baby]

Bit of a southern belle myself so cant help with shops in brum but hi and welcome

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, Paul!

Dana

[ashenlight]

Welcome Paul, can't help with the shops up in Brum but can give a big thumbs up to our sponsors First Light Optics - their delivery is really really fast and if you give them a call they can help you over the phone with your purchase

Looking forward to your first light report!

[ron.s.g]

Hi captpaul and welcome,

if you have a local society they will have a good idea of the best places for dark skies,

also better to go with someone just to be safe.

regards ron.s.g

[glowjet]

Hi Paul,

Welcome to SGL. hope you enjoy the forum.

John.

[SpookyKatt]

Welcome to the forum Paul.

Kathleen

[CaptPaul]

Thanks everyone!

[markrung]

Hey CaptPaul, I just moved to Birmingham, Moseley which is close to the centre. Where abouts you from?

[CaptPaul]

Im completly the opporsite side :s great barr.

It would have been good by me as its near Barr Beacon which so they say is the highest point around and if you went in a straight line the next highest point would be in Russia!!! however its been closed at night now... too much parked cars and funny suspension problems up there!