Night sky

[TonyF]

Having lived for most of my life in East London, light pollution was just part of the confused environment.

I don't have that here. My village has three street lights which are about 2 candle watt strong and they're a mile away.

I've just been out to the car and the sky if clear except for stars, wonderful sight, all the different intensities of light, is just breathtaking. Last year I could clearly see the Milky Way - no smarty panties, not the choc bar! - and that was a first for me.

Down side is that's it's going to be cold tonight so made sure that the little seed trays are all snug, simple life and pleasures can sometimes be the best.

[johnty greentoes]

Tony

A few years ago I was taking a friend home and the place she was staying had a guy with a telescope. He asked if I wanted to see Saturn, and I laughed thinking it would be impossible with fairly average kit. But no, there it was.

If you haven't got a telescope I advise you to get one - just for the sheer joy of seeing Saturn's rings.

[wellie]

Guys, I get what you're saying, but it's not unusual for you and me...
Trousers and I live in amongst the trees in The Forest of Dean, and whilst there's a street light on the corner of the woodland outside our property, you'd be blessed to see the post it was attached to, let alone anything else!
The night sky is what you get and what you see outside. Nothing else..... but we never take it for granted....

[dexterdoglancashire]

I just love looking into the night sky and seeing the stars.....Ive just bought myself one of those "I Spy" books - do you remember them? ie. a childrens guide to the stars in the sky - just my level methinks! DDL

[smallblueplanet]

I'm always amazed by how bright the moon shines. Its like an alternate world when there's a full-moon....almost alien.

[madderbat]

I was lucky to have been brought up in Cornwall; the night sky was always clear and bright and we regularly saw the Milky Way. Having lived in London and now the Midlands I hate the light pollution we are subject to.
a few years ago I lived on the Wolds, up on a hill, and still all I could see were the lights of Nottingham, Derby and Leicester. So depressing.

[Wolfie]

I lived in a city for years but a few years ago, I stayed with a friend in the fens of Lincolnshire and the sky at night is truly amazing! I hadn't realised there was so many stars in the sky. I bought a telescope last year but, unfortunately, the light pollution from Coventry and security lights around here mask a great deal of stars. Looking through the telescope reveals much more than the naked eye can see and I have to agree with Johnty, get a telescope! I do need to buy a book though because I don't know what I'm looking at most of the time!

[rustylady]

I grew up in a little village in Devon - very few street lights and you could always see the stars. I now live in Lowestoft, Suffolk, and whilst it's not exactly a busy town there is an awful lot of light pollution. Some nights, if I go out into my back garden and turn my back on the street light in the alley I can have a good look at the stars - I love it. The best stars I've ever seen was when I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Africa, camping in the bush - words fail me.

[sewer rat]

No problem with light pollution up here - the night skies are superb - especially at this time of year when it gets dark early and the skies are mostly devoid of clouds. Could spend hours just looking up at the stars.
But best of all are the Northern Lights / Aurora Borealis / Heavenly Dancers.
That is a sight that really will take your breath away

[roitelet]

Lucky you Rat, I've always wanted to see the Aurora Borealis. Still mustn't complain there is no light polution here and the sky is wonderful.

[rustylady]

Actually saw Northern Lights from South Devon when I was about 10 years old, must have been a freak occurrence but I remember my Dad waking me up to see it, it was absolutely breathtaking

[sewer rat]

It's the most amazing sight I have ever witnessed. It not only takes my breath away, but makes the hairs in the back of my neck stand up, and makes me all sort of spiritual - for a while anyway ! I've been lucky enough to have witnessed three up here - two green dances and the other was a fiery red/orange dance. Truly amazing.

[johnty greentoes]

It's the most amazing sight I have ever witnessed. It not only takes my breath away, but makes the hairs in the back of my neck stand up, and makes me all sort of spiritual - for a while anyway ! I've been lucky enough to have witnessed three up here - two green dances and the other was a fiery red/orange dance. Truly amazing.

I am very jealous. I have always wanted to se the Aurora. I once even went on holiday to Iceland for 2 weeks hoping to see them. Plenty of earth tremors but no Aurora - grey and overcast for 2 weeks in July.

One day...

[mad_djg]

I live in the suburbs of London(Kent actually ) and have nearly a two hour commute experiencing the joys of not one rail company but two (SWT & SET). You tend to find your own way of reducing the stress of the travel....

During the winter one of those rare pleasures of the journey is the 10 - 15 minute walk from the station.... and if you're lucky seeing the stars in their glory (sometimes you can)... I've always had a soft spot for Cassiopeia.... don't know why, just have...

[Digger-07]

There is a web site to warn of the chance to see the Aurora.

http://www.dcs.lancs.ac.uk/iono/aurorawatch/

Saturn is in a good position at the moment in the southern sky - probably the brightest "star" in a group of 4 making a square shape.