Planned Summer Observing

Hi all

The sleet is falling heavily outside but I'm thinking of warmer days, and nights, ahead. One of my main ambitions, New Year's resolution maybe? for the coming year is to observe the Sagittarius/Scorpius region better than I can do from my back garden, to try and observe so many of the wonderful, and elusive, sights in these constellations. I know it's a time of the year when observing sessions virtually come to a halt due to shorter nights, but I'm wondering if anyone else from SDAS would like to do an all-nighter around May?

Living in south Dublin it will require a spot somewhere down in Wicklow, perhaps even a high location in the mountains that affords a good view of the southern skies. I plan to scout out some locations in the coming months, but does anyone have any ideas where a good spot could be? I had thought of the car park at Brittas Bay, but then remembered that it's locked at night.

If anyone has any ideas or is interested let me know.

Thanks.

Paul

'09 has been basically an observing free zone for me due to circumstances, moving houses twice, taking on such a huge modding project that the scope was in pieces for most of the year and the usual clear skies only coming at full moon etc.

Well by Summer '10 all of that will be behind me. I'll be on for absolutely everything and anything in terms of observing sessions. If someone wants to head out at first quarter or last quarter-I'll be on for it. If someone wants to go out even though the forcast is suspect-I'll be on for it. If someone wants to head further afield-I'll be on for it. If someone wants to pull all nighters-I'll be on for it.....I think you get the picture.

So Yes. Count me in Paul I need to make up for a lost year and for the fact that home observing will be curtailed more in the renovated house than our old house due to streetlights and Rooflines etc I'll want to get out to darker sites with unrestricted views more than ever.

I've been checking the OS website for satellite images, does anyone know if the road to the upper of the two Turlough Hill lakes is accessible to the public?

Here's a link:

ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/ma...x#V1,706416,698745,6

Though it might not be possible to site scope anywhere there, there is a car park close by at the Wicklow Gap, see here:

ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/ma...x#V1,707776,700216,6

Paul

Count me in for the observing Paul.

I think all that is part of the power station. A phone call to the ESB might tell you if it is accesable.

Michael.

Id be game!

If its the ESB and if they let people in, they might not turn off security lights etc, not sure if they have any but resivoirs these days are in short supply!



Graham

lunartic wrote:

t I'm wondering if anyone else from SDAS would like to do an all-nighter around May?

Is this an exclusive club, Paul, or can anyone go? I promise I'll be a good boy...

Seanie.