Now that the Solstice is behind us the days are beginning to shorten and we turn our thoughts to the days when evening observing becomes possible again. Therefore we are proposing to hold our first SPOG meeting of the season, weather permitting, on Saturday 11 August. This coincides with the annual Perseid meteor shower, which typically puts on a good show. We are planning to observe at our Everleigh site, which has the best North East view of all our sites.
If the weather is OK we will meet at 8pm at the Crown, Everleigh, which is here:
This clashes with the MADviewers session on the same night, but since many of us hail from North Wiltshire and Somerset is a strange and distant land, we are going to have our own meet, so you are spoilt for choice.
After a drink / chat we will proceed to the observing site at 9 to 9.30. Since the earth turns to face the shower properly after midnight, we are planning to make this a long session, into the early hours of the morning. Some of us are going to bring a selection food and drink, so there should be plenty to keep the blood-sugar levels up.
There will be a variety of telescopes in use, but the beauty of meteor showers is that the best way to watch them is with the naked eyeball. So whether you are a seasoned SPOGger or new to the group, an experienced observer or a complete beginner, please feel free to come along. If you have binoculars or a telescope feel free to bring them too, but the most important equipment will be warm clothing and something comfortable to sit or lie on – a sun lounger and sleeping bag is ideal!
With the vagaries of the British summer weather showing no signs of abating, we will make a go/no-go decision on the meeting a couple of days beforehand – please keep an eye on the site for the latest.
If you are thinking of coming it would be helpful if you could let us know by email beforehand, so we can judge numbers and make sure no-one is left behind.
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As there is no plans with either WAS or Swindon Stargazers as of yet, this will be my viewing location, just hope the weather is kind to us?
A quick update: the weather is 50/50 -weekend generally looks good, but some patchy cloud forecast for Sat night. As we all know these forecasts should be taken with a pinch of salt! So its fingers crossed and we *will* be meeting as planned at 8pm. See you there!
Hi Garry. My names Peter and I defo a beginner! I live in Durrington and was wondering (I know it’s. Wry short notice) If I and maybe my wife come up this evening to Everleigh? I do have a telescope but I haven’t used it yet as I’m very uncertain what to do. I was going to come up and meet you all for a chat etc if that’s ok? Many Thanks Peter.
Peter, that’s no problem at all, be happy to see you there and I’m sure we can help you understand how to get the best out of your scope.
Cheers Garry. I’m not sure how long I can stay but I will be there as long as I can to hopefully see something. Peter
Thank you Garry for arranging last nights meteor watch at Everleigh, pity the weather was not on ourside. At least we did manage to get some viewing in before the bank of cloud rolled in to spoil the rest of the evening. Managed to bag a couple of the meteors, do not think I got any on camera?