Perseids, Thurs 12th 2300-2330hrs BST, and police!

Hi all,

Well, after the cloudy night on Wednesday, I decided to go to a local
dark(ish) site to see if I could spot any Perseids...in the half-hour or
so that I spent looking I saw half a dozen trails, a couple of which
were very long and rather bright, so I can say I was successful!

However (and there has to be a 'however'!) at about 2330hrs, the plod
turned up at the site, headlights blazing, and proceeded to ask me a
load of daft questions during which things clouded over somewhat. :-(
Now, it seems that I either manage pick sites where there are sufficient
"nocturnal activities" to catch the attention of the police or maybe the
police are following me!

As my garden is completely hopeless for obseving anything but trees I
have no choice but to go out to visit reasonable sites near my home and
increasingly I am approached by the police who are generally unconvinced
by my explanation that I am stargazing. meteor showers are particularly
difficult as no equipment is needed so there's not even a telescope or
binoculars to hand to support my story.

Is this a common problem for amateur astronomers in the UK and, if so,
how do others cope with such situations? My local astronomy society,
whilst good, is not terribly active in the practical observing area and
so I often find myself wishing to go out on my own which leads to the
problems I have recounted and indeed I sometimes feel uncomfortable and
possibly at-risk being out on my own.

ttfn

JasonG

Hello Jason

Until recently, this was never a problem. I once had some experience with the
police while at an observatory. The chap had been patrolling the grounds and
heard us. I showed him the view through the telescope and he was 'hooked'.
Since the events of September 11, the world has changed. The police are
understandably looking out for anything 'suspicious', and let's be honest,
doesn't this look suspicious? My advice is firstly, visit your local police
station and ask to explain what you do and where, to an officer. Try to do
observing with a partner if it is outside somewhere.

Good luck.

Lawrence Harris


On Fri, 13 Aug 2004 08:47:26 +0100, JasonG wrote:

Hi all,

Well, after the cloudy night on Wednesday, I decided to go to a local
dark(ish) site to see if I could spot any Perseids...in the half-hour or
so that I spent looking I saw half a dozen trails, a couple of which
were very long and rather bright, so I can say I was successful!

However (and there has to be a 'however'!) at about 2330hrs, the plod
turned up at the site, headlights blazing, and proceeded to ask me a
load of daft questions during which things clouded over somewhat. :-(
Now, it seems that I either manage pick sites where there are sufficient
"nocturnal activities" to catch the attention of the police or maybe the
police are following me!

As my garden is completely hopeless for obseving anything but trees I
have no choice but to go out to visit reasonable sites near my home and
increasingly I am approached by the police who are generally unconvinced
by my explanation that I am stargazing. meteor showers are particularly
difficult as no equipment is needed so there's not even a telescope or
binoculars to hand to support my story.

Is this a common problem for amateur astronomers in the UK and, if so,
how do others cope with such situations? My local astronomy society,
whilst good, is not terribly active in the practical observing area and
so I often find myself wishing to go out on my own which leads to the
problems I have recounted and indeed I sometimes feel uncomfortable and
possibly at-risk being out on my own.

ttfn

JasonG

Hi there,

The suspicion doesn't seem to be terrorism-related, more the sort of
thing that's been going on in dark, secluded places for years. Don't get
me wrong, I'm no homophobe or anything like that. Whatever they want to
do is fine with me really, as long as it's consenting adults and all
that. The problem seems to be that the police are taking quite an
interest in these activities and patrolling sites regularly now but they
seem to be unconvinced with stargazing explanations and respond in a
"yes, yes, that's a very interesting excuse for being here in the dark".

I guess I'll have to visit the police station to see if I can speak to
them about your suggestion.

ttfn

JasonG
Lawrence wrote:

Hello Jason

Until recently, this was never a problem. I once had some experience with the
police while at an observatory. The chap had been patrolling the grounds and
heard us. I showed him the view through the telescope and he was 'hooked'.
Since the events of September 11, the world has changed. The police are
understandably looking out for anything 'suspicious', and let's be honest,
doesn't this look suspicious? My advice is firstly, visit your local police
station and ask to explain what you do and where, to an officer. Try to do
observing with a partner if it is outside somewhere.

Good luck.

Lawrence Harris

Hi,

Every now and again the Gardai (Irish Police) drop by when I'm observing in
Wicklow. They usually just ask what we are doing, and are happy enough to
have a peek through the telescopes and head off. They made a regular point
of stopping off to watch Mars last August.

No terrorist related suspicions ever mentioned. Sure a few Irish lads
wandering through the mountains with mounts, electronics, and telescope
tubes doesn't look at all suspicious ;-)

[joke] Perhaps we need EU astronomy ID cards! [/joke]

Cheers,
~Al

Hi Jason
Whereabouts are you? I can no longer say I am new but I can say I still
don't know a lot lol.
I have been out and had similar problems. My wife, who is a local councillor
has been working with the police. She tells me some areas are bringing in
drinking on the street bans to try to curb anti social behaviour. This has
caused youths to congregate at dark areas. The best advice she can give is
the same as Pete said: go to local police station and take some id with you
preferably photo id if possible, then ask for a contact so if you are
stopped you can ask the officers to radio a check through.
Hope this helps
Tony
"JasonG" wrote in message
...
Hi there,

The suspicion doesn't seem to be terrorism-related, more the sort of
thing that's been going on in dark, secluded places for years. Don't get
me wrong, I'm no homophobe or anything like that. Whatever they want to
do is fine with me really, as long as it's consenting adults and all
that. The problem seems to be that the police are taking quite an
interest in these activities and patrolling sites regularly now but they
seem to be unconvinced with stargazing explanations and respond in a
"yes, yes, that's a very interesting excuse for being here in the dark".

I guess I'll have to visit the police station to see if I can speak to
them about your suggestion.

ttfn

JasonG
Lawrence wrote:

Hello Jason

Until recently, this was never a problem. I once had some experience
with the
police while at an observatory. The chap had been patrolling the grounds
and
heard us. I showed him the view through the telescope and he was
'hooked'.
Since the events of September 11, the world has changed. The police are
understandably looking out for anything 'suspicious', and let's be
honest,
doesn't this look suspicious? My advice is firstly, visit your local
police
station and ask to explain what you do and where, to an officer. Try to
do
observing with a partner if it is outside somewhere.

Good luck.

Lawrence Harris

Jason,

Why are you so worried, if you are doing nothing wrong it is very
difficult to prove otherwise...If you are worried at being out on your own
then the visit from police officers should help dampen any fears. In stead
of visiting your local police station why not phone them before you go out
to let them know where you are and what you are doing, that way the call is
usually recorded and gives you a point of reference.
Although some people don't like/trust the police they are trying
to keep areas safe for honest people to undertake honest activities.
" Dont let what other people do put you off what you are wanting to
do"

Clear skies
Paul


"JasonG" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

Well, after the cloudy night on Wednesday, I decided to go to a local
dark(ish) site to see if I could spot any Perseids...in the half-hour or
so that I spent looking I saw half a dozen trails, a couple of which
were very long and rather bright, so I can say I was successful!

However (and there has to be a 'however'!) at about 2330hrs, the plod
turned up at the site, headlights blazing, and proceeded to ask me a
load of daft questions during which things clouded over somewhat. :-(
Now, it seems that I either manage pick sites where there are sufficient
"nocturnal activities" to catch the attention of the police or maybe the
police are following me!

As my garden is completely hopeless for obseving anything but trees I
have no choice but to go out to visit reasonable sites near my home and
increasingly I am approached by the police who are generally unconvinced
by my explanation that I am stargazing. meteor showers are particularly
difficult as no equipment is needed so there's not even a telescope or
binoculars to hand to support my story.

Is this a common problem for amateur astronomers in the UK and, if so,
how do others cope with such situations? My local astronomy society,
whilst good, is not terribly active in the practical observing area and
so I often find myself wishing to go out on my own which leads to the
problems I have recounted and indeed I sometimes feel uncomfortable and
possibly at-risk being out on my own.

ttfn

JasonG