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#1
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Must get up early...
Have to travel this morning so was up at 6. Peered out of the window and was
greeted by a glorious sight of Orion overhead, Sirius twinkling below, and Venus and Jupiter bright in the east. Its a shame my garden is north facing as it limits where I can see... still, moving house soon, so a decent south view will be on the list! |
#2
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"James" wrote in message ...
Have to travel this morning so was up at 6. Peered out of the window and was greeted by a glorious sight of Orion overhead, Sirius twinkling below, and Venus and Jupiter bright in the east. Its a shame my garden is north facing as it limits where I can see... still, moving house soon, so a decent south view will be on the list! This raises an interesting point regarding asronomy as a hobby and the demands it places on location. Just try not to take the southerly view of the heavens to extremes and demand dark skies as well! You could end up in the wrong country! ;-) Though you are quite sensible in trying to increase your enjoyment of the hobby by trying to improve your observing situation. Just watch out for street lamps in exactly the wrong place! Check out any possible new homes at night as well as in the daytime. I am reliably informed that most people buy (or rent) the first or second home they see when they are looking for a new nest. We probably looked at over fifty! My wife made the choice in the end so astronomy wasn't the highest priority. Though I was still very lucky in this regard. Those struggling to meet the sky-high cost of British rural housing could try narrowing their (more-affordable) choice to the Southern boundaries of their chosen towns or cities. At least that wouldn't put the city's light dome between you and the more interesting bits of the sky. I have been struck by the number of (former) stately homes. That have older estate properties and accomodation in "unimproved" situations. Sans streetlights! You might have a look around locally for this sort of thing. Many such estates are now owned by the local or county council, The National Trust or under new management. They are often surprisingly peaceful and *dark* oases reached by gravel roads. Though the many trees are probably non-negotiable. My own dark skies are limited by obstructions. But I saw just the thing for my potential new observatory yesterday. A 60 feet tall, farm silo tower with a nice dome in rather tasty dark green. Now for the planning permission. (I wonder if I can have a lift installed) :-) Apologies for the usual ramble. Regards Chris.B |
#4
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"Chris.B" wrote in message
om... "James" wrote in message ... Have to travel this morning so was up at 6. Peered out of the window and was greeted by a glorious sight of Orion overhead, Sirius twinkling below, and Venus and Jupiter bright in the east. Its a shame my garden is north facing as it limits where I can see... still, moving house soon, so a decent south view will be on the list! This raises an interesting point regarding asronomy as a hobby and the demands it places on location. Just try not to take the southerly view of the heavens to extremes and demand dark skies as well! You could end up in the wrong country! ;-) Though you are quite sensible in trying to increase your enjoyment of the hobby by trying to improve your observing situation. Just watch out for street lamps in exactly the wrong place! Check out any possible new homes at night as well as in the daytime. I am reliably informed that most people buy (or rent) the first or second home they see when they are looking for a new nest. We probably looked at over fifty! My wife made the choice in the end so astronomy wasn't the highest priority. Though I was still very lucky in this regard. Those struggling to meet the sky-high cost of British rural housing could try narrowing their (more-affordable) choice to the Southern boundaries of their chosen towns or cities. At least that wouldn't put the city's light dome between you and the more interesting bits of the sky. I have been struck by the number of (former) stately homes. That have older estate properties and accomodation in "unimproved" situations. Sans streetlights! You might have a look around locally for this sort of thing. Many such estates are now owned by the local or county council, The National Trust or under new management. They are often surprisingly peaceful and *dark* oases reached by gravel roads. Though the many trees are probably non-negotiable. My own dark skies are limited by obstructions. But I saw just the thing for my potential new observatory yesterday. A 60 feet tall, farm silo tower with a nice dome in rather tasty dark green. Now for the planning permission. (I wonder if I can have a lift installed) :-) Apologies for the usual ramble. Regards Chris.B Chris, Given the horrible re-location i have just performed i strongly aggree with your ramble. I have moved from a lovely dark site with a south facing rear garden and mag 5-6(naked eye) skys. The neighbours where considerate with thier lighting and i had good views on all but the most turbulent of clear nights. I now live in the middle of a housing estate in a first floor flat. The front garden(the only one i have) faces north(how nice) i have 3 street lamps that directly light the garden. I also have to lug all my gear up and down stairs, not to bad with the 90mm Mak but an EQ6 and Europa 250, not so nice at all. I have already considered giving up the hobby simply because of the amount of aggro i now have to go through just for an observing session. To all astronomers considering a move, choose very wisely!!! Rob |
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"Robert Geake" wrote in message ... Given the horrible re-location i have just performed i strongly aggree with your ramble. I have moved from a lovely dark site with a south facing rear garden and mag 5-6(naked eye) skys. The neighbours where considerate with thier lighting and i had good views on all but the most turbulent of clear nights. I now live in the middle of a housing estate in a first floor flat. The front garden(the only one i have) faces north(how nice) i have 3 street lamps that directly light the garden. I also have to lug all my gear up and down stairs, not to bad with the 90mm Mak but an EQ6 and Europa 250, not so nice at all. I have already considered giving up the hobby simply because of the amount of aggro i now have to go through just for an observing session. To all astronomers considering a move, choose very wisely!!! Yeah, Chris makes good points! Still at home with dad at the mo, but its quite dark here - live in a village. Its just a north facing garden, not very deep so I either see stuff as its rising in the east or when it gets past the house in the west! At least my girlfriend has gone off the idea of city living, but yeah, south side of a biggish village with pubic transport for her is what Im aiming for... but most websites I do letting searches on return no results anywhere! Ah well... |
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