First "Skelligs Star Party" August 22nd/23rd 2014

I like the idea, but we would need a moonless night, otherwise we could do it in places a lot easer to get to?

Hi Dave..

If you look at the date I put down as a possible
date for the event you will see that it is a very late Crescent
Moon rising about 2.30am... Not bright enough to do any damage
for those seeking out those elusive DSO's..
Also as the weekend continues it enters new Moon.

At these type of events we have to cater for all aspects of the
hobby, some like DSO's other Planetary and others Lunar.

So I thought a late rising waning Crescent would be an Ideal
time as it gives all those attending a good chance for
Lunar, Planetary and Deep sky Imaging(opening all doors).

Regards
Roy Stewart #LunarNut

I get ya Roy, i do, but the Dark Sky site, is just that.
If the moon is up i don't see the benefit, maybe I'm wrong, some much more experienced observers on here would maybe know.

Hi Dave..

The Moon on the 19th of Sept is 24.94 days old
and by the 21st it will be 26.73 days old..

On the 19th the Moon is only 3degrees above the horizon at 3am
and by 21st is will be 3.5degrees above the horizon at 5am..

So I think that leaves a hell of a lot of time for us to go Globular,
Galaxy and Nebula hunting..
I do understand what you are saying.. But New Moon will
occur in Midweek not the weekend and an early setting Crescent
Moon occurs a lot closer to Oct when we all know the weather will more than
likely not be on our side.
I do understand that these type of events run around the same time as new Moon
but in Ireland we don't get that luxury.

Regards
Roy Stewart #LunarNut #ClearSkies

Hi Roy,

I was talking to John Flannery yesterday and he said Cork Astronomy Club have gone down there a few times.
They have a contact down there (Julie Someone - I'm awful at names).

Perhaps you should have a word with them?

Regarding dates have you considered the October weekend?
New Moon is the 23rd and would be out of the way for the weekend. We would also get two nights doubling the chances of being clouded out

Hi Michael...

Late Oct on the south coast of Ireland is a bad combination..
But I have been scrolling the Starry Night Pro Plus 6
and there is a new Moon on the weekend of 22nd-25th of August, and Astronomical twilight
occurs just after 10pm... Just a thought!.. Cause October heading into November is not a good time
to be on the south west coast(taken from experience).

Regards
Roy Stewart #LunarNut #ClearSkies