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!

"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.B) wrote:

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) :-)

You've obviously never been inside one of those things on a windy day.

-----------------------------
Martin Frey
http//:www.hadastro.org.uk
N 51 01 52.2 E 0 47 21.1
-----------------------------

"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

"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...