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Subject Topic: Astronomy when camping?
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15/8/2007 at 9:13pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Vango Diablo 600 Vango Vail 700
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We always take my daughter's Planisphere with us to identify the constellations. In a field in the country it is amazing the 1000's more stars that become visible.

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Now into our fifth year...


15/8/2007 at 9:27pm
 Location: North Wales
 Outfit: Vango Salina 600
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Sounds daft, but astronomy is much more fun with a planisphere and a pair o' half-decent bino's...

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Hotels Suck. Villas are great but I can't take my Cadac on the plane....


15/8/2007 at 10:13pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Kyham Ridgipod Excelsior
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I didn't take my scope this year (10" Celestron SCT) but wish i had, although it would have meant taking a second car. The skies where we stayed were great. If i cant convince the kids not to take anything next year I will squeeze the scope in, failing that I'll definatley be taking a pair of binos.


27/9/2007 at 3:00pm
 Location: Brighton
 Outfit: VW Campervan
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Joined: 11/5/2007

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Went to a camp site in Cornwall that has a 9" reflector in the field! They have a bloke come around and do a session about astronomy. 40 mins or so in a room (home of the astronomy club there) and then out into the field to look through a selection of scopes and a chat about things.

I always take my 15x75's with me, my scope is too big for the car and the bins are good fun to be honest, picking things out with them in a clear sky is great. Had an amazingly clear night in dorset a while back, one of the best skies I have ever seen, was a few miles away from Corfe Castle near Swanage.

If I buy a bigger car for next year then I will definately take my scope with me no doubt about that!!!

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If in doubt, do it anyway!!!!!!


27/9/2007 at 6:15pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Cabanon Guadeloupe Zephyros3
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I think that combining a hobby like this with camping is perfect! The low light pollution on a good rural site is so good for star gazing, no matter whether it is with binos, a scope or just the naked eye!

Similarly, bird watchers (of the ornithological variety) and wild life fans often turn to camping as it is an obvious way to pursue a rural pastime.

Any of these make excellent family activities too.



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27/9/2007 at 8:06pm
 Location: Wirral
 Outfit: Swift Freestyle 520 on seasonal pitch
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We were in France this summer. the star light was so bright that it cast shadows. I really wish there had been an expert there to point out what to look at.
Alan


28/9/2007 at 12:59pm
 Location: West Country
 Outfit: Gelert Horizon 8 Vango Tigris 6
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Hubby wanted to take his telescope this year.  We didn't have enough room in the car but also we were wary of being classified a pervy. 

 Reading these comments are encouraging so we'll try and make room next season.



13/10/2007 at 1:37am
 Location: west midlands
 Outfit: aztec khyam gelert vango
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 I have been known to take mine with me I have never had a problem


14/10/2007 at 1:48pm
 Location: East Sussex
 Outfit: None Entered
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We had a great weekend camping at the Herstmonceaux science centre in East Sussex, they had a weekend astronomy festival last month. There was a field of tents, and I've never seen so many impressive telescopes in one site!

The centre has four domes which they opened up when it got dark, and we got to see through their big telescope.

It was a great family weekend out, my kids thoroughly enjoyed it, we hope to go back and do it again next year.


14/10/2007 at 10:07pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: VV 500 - Bear Lake 6
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The BBC do some good maps of the stars and relevent positions of the planets. Before I go I tend to take a print out for the period. I also use a Planisphere and binoculars.

In my view it is always worth planning you viewing. Look for visible planets or Galaxys (depending on your magnification) and try to find some memorable constellations. IMO it's more fun when you are trying  to find something rather than blindly look up!



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Anything becomes a pleasure if one does it too often!


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15/10/2007 at 7:12am
 Location: Herefordshire
 Outfit: pennine pathfinder 2003
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We camped next to some people in march one year who had an enormous telescope miniscule tent and a smart car. We made the hot chocolate they showed us saturn!

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Good friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.


15/10/2007 at 3:21pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Aztec Falcon 8
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We were in the Lakes in Aug, the sky was amazing at night. Absolutely beautiful. Managed to catch a couple of shooting stars as well. Fantastic! Wish I was there now.



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