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Post by jonno on May 12, 2008 11:47:21 GMT
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone had any advice on places to go in Belfast (preferrably Gilnahirk direction) for some safe, dark skies. The light pollution in my garden is shocking and as a result I haven't had much luck with my Explorer 150p.
Thanks
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Post by nemesis on May 12, 2008 12:34:46 GMT
If you can find anything let us know, Jonno. I don't think we have such a thing, really, due to light pollution. I've gone everywhere from Donaghadee to Glenarm in search of decent sites, and we've a few, but not that local. One possibility is around the Cave Hill, but again, this is North Belfast You're very welcome to join us when we go out, which is basically every clear night we get, but they can be few and far between. Recently the best place we got is Jonathan's place just beside the airport, in the middle of one of his fields.....nice horizons and no real light intrusion.
Eamonn (nemesis)
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Post by stevie on May 12, 2008 12:53:41 GMT
Clear skies forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday night. hopefully the moon should not be too intrusive. Watch this space.
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Post by nemesis on May 12, 2008 13:52:15 GMT
OMG...they actually are forecast as clear. I'll be up for tomorrow night
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Post by NeilP on May 12, 2008 14:33:39 GMT
tramps you have me to thank for that
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Post by jonno on May 12, 2008 16:40:04 GMT
If you can find anything let us know, Jonno. I don't think we have such a thing, really, due to light pollution. I've gone everywhere from Donaghadee to Glenarm in search of decent sites, and we've a few, but not that local. One possibility is around the Cave Hill, but again, this is North Belfast You're very welcome to join us when we go out, which is basically every clear night we get, but they can be few and far between. Recently the best place we got is Jonathan's place just beside the airport, in the middle of one of his fields.....nice horizons and no real light intrusion. Eamonn (nemesis) Well, when I said dark skies I was being fairly optimistic. Darker would be good. In fact anywhere that doesn't have a prison style searchlight coming on every time a dog takes a pee would be great
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Post by mia on May 13, 2008 8:23:58 GMT
In fact anywhere that doesn't have a prison style searchlight coming on every time a dog takes a pee would be great ah, Jonathan, what you need is a catapult and some ball bearings ........ or do what I do and wrap a towel around the sensors ...though your neighbours may not appreciate that if it's their lights..... leave it with me, I'll have to think about this...
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Post by garyr on May 13, 2008 8:43:51 GMT
My neighbours had one of those lights but seemed to remove it ... but they all think I am so kind of weirdo who lurks about in the back garden in the dark .... I second the ball bearing and catapult idea ... although Casement park has a whole lot of bulbs for me to take out ...
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Post by Veronica on May 13, 2008 9:30:36 GMT
Yep, got those kinda neighbours too. That part of Belfast is one part I'm not overly familiar with, so I'm not much use. What's the Castlereagh Hills like for access to dark(er) locations?
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Post by jonno on May 13, 2008 9:48:54 GMT
Yep, got those kinda neighbours too. That part of Belfast is one part I'm not overly familiar with, so I'm not much use. What's the Castlereagh Hills like for access to dark(er) locations? It was in the Castlereagh hills that I was hoping someone might know a place (or live). Apart from the through route from Dundonald to Gilnahirk it's fairly isolated and really quite dark although probably not pitch. I was even tempted to pin a few notes to some field gates asking if the owner would mind if I snuck in late at night - I don't take up much space and I'd promise not to worry the sheep
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Post by Veronica on May 13, 2008 9:50:53 GMT
I have an OS map of the area...must dig it out to see if there's anywhere that could be promising. Will let you know.
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Post by nemesis on May 13, 2008 14:09:59 GMT
That'd be handy, V. I've been up the road from Holywood to Newtownards thru the Craigantlet hills, and there was nowhere really there. It's a dangerous road too, with guys flying past at 80mph and more.
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Post by jonno on May 13, 2008 15:09:48 GMT
That'd be handy, V. I've been up the road from Holywood to Newtownards thru the Craigantlet hills, and there was nowhere really there. It's a dangerous road too, with guys flying past at 80mph and more. I had a snipe round Craigantlet too. Trouble is there's no shortage of dodgy sorts racing around in souped up Vauxhall Corsas. Google maps with satellite imaging switched on is a good way to look for likely spots. I've combed the area round where I live but didn't see many suitable candidates.
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Post by Veronica on May 20, 2008 12:59:38 GMT
At last, got the phone line sorted.
Well, I had a look at the map and am afraid that nothing stood out that could be a potential dark(ish) sky site that would have somewhere decent to set up. There is a disused quarry on the west side of Braniel Hill, up a lane way, but the horizons are probably awful and access difficult. Apart from that, a disappointing zero.
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Post by garyr on May 20, 2008 14:03:08 GMT
according to Google maps it looks like large area's up the road from me would be good. Unfortunately they are all up a mountain and habitually utilized by joyriders. Also not being a driver and having cycled up said mountain before I suspect by the time I got up there the first thing I would need to do would be to sleep for a few hours.
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