Night Owls

Added by David Davidson on 07 August 2023

How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! Here we will sit and let the sounds of music creep in our ears. Soft stillness and the night become the touches of sweet harmony. Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold. There's not the smallest or...

Saturn, and a brush with the 'Woo'.

Added by David Davidson on 21 July 2023

It was Friday the twenty first of July and it was cloudy at dusk with just a few holes to see into the blue void of space. I was sitting in the garden watching the sky as the colours changed from pink to grey then orange and blue as the Sun said goodbye to the day and nightfall crept up from the sou...

Mission Impossible?

Added by David Davidson on 16 June 2023

Tomnacross outreach. Friday 16th June. 'Mission Impossible' (almost) "Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to drive out to Tomnacross primary school and show 100 children and a bunch of teachers the Sun." "This tape will self-destruct in 5 minutes." Mission ...

SOLAR FRIDAY

Added by David Davidson on 09 June 2023

It is always risky to set a date for anything to do with astronomy, kind of like buying a telescope, which as we all know comes with its own pre-packaged clouds, so midweek I consulted my garden weather station to see what the days leading up to 'Solar Friday' would bring. I was immediatel...

More matter for a May morning.

Added by David Davidson on 09 May 2023

' More matter for a May morning ' 09.05.23. 00.00 - 03.30 am. Now is the very witching time of night when churchyards yawn and owls and bats roam the open, silent fields so moths and mice beware ! It is just dark now and the clouds are beginning to disperse and a few stars are showing thr...

Size Matters - Observing report

Added by David Davidson on 19 April 2023

' SIZE MATTERS ' They say that size doesn't matter, but when it comes to telescopes that is just not true, size is everything. Well, maybe. It depends on a lot of variables, so let's take a look at a few. First off, "the best telescope is the one you use the most often". ...

Sun, Moon and Star Party

Added by David Davidson on 26 March 2023

SUN, MOON and STAR PARTY ( held on Sunday 26th March 2023 ) You know, clouds are not really our enemy. For the most part they are often beautiful things to look at and come in such a variety of shapes and colours that add contrast and depth to a bland blue sky. They refresh the land with much needed...

"It wasn't a party, it was a work event"!

Added by David Davidson on 22 March 2023

"IT WASN'T A PARTY, IT WAS A WORK EVENT" ! "It wasn't a 'party', it was a 'work event' " ! No, I'm not going to be a politician and blame everyone else; I got it wrong and cancelled the star-party (planned for Wed 22nd March) and I am very sorry abou...