Stargazing

[Brian]

One of the things I really like over here is the clarity of the night sky*.

Like many people, I could identify Orion and a couple of other constellations and could hardly miss the milky way - but there's clearly an awful lot going on up there that has been a complete mystery to me.

It turns out that a chap from the UK has moved over here to set up a residential astronomy centre near Confolens. The basic idea is that UK stargazers will come over for holidays.

He is also running one day 'beginner' courses, and I went on the first such in May 2016. Despite torrential rain stopping most practical work, the twelve of us attending the course all seemed to learn a huge amount. One of which is the amount you can learn just by observing with the naked eye and photographing with a simple camera.

If you have the slightest interest in what's happening over your head (and I don't mean French bureaucracy) I suggest you take a look at Astro Farm's beginners' courses.


* unless it's obscured by enormous great thunderclouds

[Jiml]

What a great place for stargazing, no light pollution from big cities
There is an ap for iPhone I found helpful it uses gps and compas you hold it up and the sky above is show. As you are seeing it and names the major stars and constellations .... Would work well in conjunction with the stargazing course
It's called gostarwatch there are android type apps available as well

[Fred]

I must admit I don't know any by name, but when we first came here I just couldn't stop looking at them. Light pollution is about zero around here especially as most of the villages turn the couple of street lights off at 11 pm and we have no lights on the main roads so that also helps.

When my Nephew came over once he was pointing out the satellites, that was interesting as you can see them move. But to be honest I now take it for granted and never notice it so much, though I would imagine it would make a great idea for a weekend especialy being taught what to look for.

If you speak to him again Brian, tell him he is welcome to put a piece in Business Ads if he wants. Confolens isn't that far away and some of our readers may find it interesting.

[Clubby]

Thanks Brian - we love to look at the night sky and have a (modest) telescope to peer through. We've used some of the free apps available too, though your arm does work after a while !

While relaying this information to Mr Clubby he said that he knew all about it as it was featured in a TV programme in the UK very recently!

https://theknowledgeobservatory.com/

[Brian]

That's them. They mentioned "The TV programme" several times but I just nodded in a friendly fashion as I had no idea what they were talking about. I heard about them from a French neighbour. I've suggested they should include some info about the beginner's courses and the astronomy club on their website but nothing yet.

I went into the garden last night for a quick squint at Saturn. I was distracted by flashes of light from the north which it turns out we from a thunderstorm over Poitiers and Chauvigny about 40 miles away. Couldn't hear the thunder though.

[Fred]

You may be interested in these images: https://twanight.org/newTwan/news2016-2.asp

[Brian]

Thanks Fred.
Some astonishingly good photos there.
Brian

[Fred]

Thanks Fred.  
Some astonishingly good photos there.
Brian

Yes very impressive.