There are plans to create an annual Spring Equinox Star Party for those hardened field trip Astronomers wanting the Spring Sky vestas.
The plan is to hold it at Kelling Heath Touring Park in the wilds of Norfolk. A dark site on the North Norfolk coastline, with its own light pollution regulations. For this year, the exploratory dates are over the weekend, 28th to the 31st March.
First impressions a few weeks ago showed great potential, but the weather got the better of our field visit.
Another thing....the site is huge.
The amenities on site are of a very high standard with restaurant, shop, sauna, jacuzzi, gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pools....etc....the list goes on. See their site for further details.
The majority of the plots are ready equipped with electric hookup for those eccentric enough to want to bring their complete observatory facilities with them.
A new sponsor has already shown interest to assist in broadening the aims of these get-togethers.

 

Now for the report over the period 26th March to 1st April:-

I arrived on the Wednesday afternoon, and after setting up, nightfall and aligning, I had a brilliant night sky on my own. I bagged 40 Messiers without even trying, and M51 was the best I'd ever seen, complete with interconnecting swirls. I've never seen it so clear. The best I've ever seen. It was two little dots at Thetford. This was something else.

Then the guys started to arrive on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday....and the weather turned....fog, mist, cloud, cold....but no rain....not like our last introductuary visit.

These guys were assembling scopes up to 25", from refractors to 6", CATS and reflectors to 10", and then the giant Dobs. Solar astronomers. Deep sky, planetary and casual Astronomers. Interlectuals, theorists and photographic purists....a great collection for a first event.

On the Sunday the weather cleared, and the night was sparkling.

The first thing I verified was M51....and it was the same, gorgeous in my 10". There were queus for the big Dobs, I gave up.

Another 30 Messiers, much the same as last time, but to see them!!!....woww. Even a flurry of Aurora to boost the night's activities.

Then the night got colder and clearer. A frost to -2 degrees. Went to bed at 02.00 even though the sky was still clear.

At 04.00 there was a cry from my next door neigbour, Andrew, (he with the vacuum cleaner and pinny...explain later). He'd found the comet in Andromeda, and had a queue to see it....I joined the queue in my pajamas....and the temp was -2...didnt care....but the rest of the gang gave me top priority....and after a glimse of Mars, I went back to bed a very happy bunny.

Late Monday morning was pack-up time, and back to London for a late evening meeting, then returning to work on Tuesday. A great event, a great site, and looking forward to the next one. I hope this offering of a Spring Event gets off the ground, because I enjoyed it immensely.

Andrew???...he was awarded with the feather duster and pinny for his devotions to the cleanliness of his caravan, tent and grass pitch. The vacuum cleaner could be heard over the tent field, but no one could be sure if he had actually worn his pinny during the event. But he took the ribbing as he should, and the award was accepted in the spirit of the event. An honor to himself and all the guests at the event.

Best regards, BrianB.

 

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