Clear night

[umadog]

Back in the UK from the US right now and it's the first clear night since I returned. I'm in North London, just inside the M25 and man is it depressing up there.

According to the world-wide LP maps, my location in the US is "red", meaning limiting mag of about 5, which is about right by my reckoning. My parents house here in the UK is also supposed be red. In reality it's more like 3.25. The density of street lighting around here is out of control. Is there hope? What to do?

Sorry for the rant...

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

My site is a good deal darker, but I do get better results using an LP filter. My other strategy has been to get an SCT, so I can plonk it in the back of the car and drive elsewhere if need be. They are also good for planetary observation and photography, which I can always do from the garden.