Aussie Observer Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Hi everyone,In about 7 weeks time I will be in the UK. Hopefully I will be able to do some observing whilst I am there, in particular I want to finish the Messier list (the objects I can't see from here in Australia). I am bringing with me a Skywatcher Heritage 76 tabletop dob- a great little scope by the way. What is the weather usually like in May for observing? I will be travelling around through England and Scotland for about 3 weeks until the beginning of June. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demonperformer Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 I believe the word is 'variable':D.If you catch it well, the evenings will be really nice. Should have lost the bitterly cold nights of winter. And hopefully it will be a bit clearer than we have had for the last weeks [been a total wipeout here for I can't remember how long:(]. IMO May is a good choice.If you can give a little more detail on your itinerary, I'm sure some locals will be able to give really good ideas for local 'dark' sites - if you are coming to the south coast, you will need them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinB Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 You will need to stay up late because the nights are long in May especially towards the end of the month. The nights are longer the further north you go. Probably 90% of nights are cloudy but with that quick grab and go set up you should be able to catch plenty of clear gaps. As mentioned, light pollution is a big issue across most of the country but there are some great dark locations in Scotland. Hope you have a great trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Welcome to SGL What Messier objects are you missing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Fortunately you may have chosen a good month, it's my favourite month of the year (not just because it's my birthday). On the South Coast the nights are still usefully long but the temps are just right, the dew has settled down, the summer constellations are in full swing and the nights can be beautifully clear. Of recent times, May tends to be our best month. Summer comes early in May and then the summer months are rubbish. So fingers crossed it will follow the recent trend for you.Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinB Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Fortunately you may have chosen a good month, it's my favourite month of the year (not just because it's my birthday). On the South Coast the nights are still usefully long but the temps are just right, the dew has settled down, the summer constellations are in full swing and the nights can be beautifully clear. Of recent times, May tends to be our best month. Summer comes early in May and then the summer months are rubbish. So fingers crossed it will follow the recent trend for you.RussWell thanks Russ, I know what sort of May we are in for now! This is going to come back to haunt you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 I did think that myself after i posted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Hi Aussie Observer,A very warm welcome to SGL, hope you enjoy your stay in the UK and with the forum.John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Observer Posted March 29, 2010 Author Share Posted March 29, 2010 Thanks for all the replies. I haven't as yet worked out an itinery. I will be arriving on Monday 17th May in London. Will probably spend a few days there with my daughter before beginning travelling. The Messier objects I require are as follows: M34, M51, M52, M63, M76, M81, M82, M94, M97, M101, M106, M108, M109. Then I will have the whole list and hopefully the only member of my club at present to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talitha Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Hi, and welcome to SGL... i hope you have clear skies during your visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Hi Aussie Observer and welcome to SGL. May is often a reasonably good month for weather especially the west coast of Scotland, however... much of May is fairly light in Scotland and you'd probably be better off looking for most of these further south. There's a fair number of areas with comparatively dark skies in Wales, South West England, Wiltshire, Dorset, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and so on so I guess it depends if your itinerary takes you near any of these areas.Fingers crossed you can knock these all off James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeti monster Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Hi Aussie, good luck with your fuzzy hunt, hope you get clear skies when you are in UK (but don't use them all up, as I need some too).If you are going near Manchester, Todmorden astro centre is well worth a looksee.Stargazers Lounge - The Astronomy Centre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Strings Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Hi Aussie and welcome to SGL from me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david o Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Hi there Aussie Observer,A warm welcome to the forum. Hope your visit to the UK goes well and that you get to polish off your remaining Messier targets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillc Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Hello Aussie Observer and a warm welcome to SGL.Hope you enjoy your visit to the UK, and that the weather is kind to you.May you have clear night skies.phillc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Senior Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Hi Aussie, welcome to SGL.Good Luck on the Messiers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Welcome to SGL aussie!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro_Baby Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Hi and good luck with that. If your anywhere near Gatwick airport and free your welcome to join me (assuming the weather is clear) for a view with a bigger scope. I have an 8" with GoTo which would hunt those Messiers for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michigander Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Welcome to SGL, Aussie!Dana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnh Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Welcome from me too.JohnH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Tripps Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Hi from me also Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan of Borg Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 G'day!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brantuk Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 Hi Aussie and welcome to the group.If you're near the East Midlands (Nottinham/Derby/Leicester area) at any stage - get in touch on here and maybe we can arrange a visit to our darksite for you (assuming the weather's good at that time of course). Look up East Midlands group (EMS) in Communities/Social Groups in the menu above.Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Tilley Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 Hi, welcome from me too!Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Presland Posted April 4, 2010 Share Posted April 4, 2010 welcome to sgl as for the weather your guess is as good as anybodys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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