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Post by keithm on Dec 28, 2013 20:48:08 GMT
Hi, Has anyone used Divis Mountain as an observing site and would they recommend it? Today I noticed the National Trust website says "The Divis Mountain car park is open all year and provides a good place to star gaze". www.nationaltrust.org.uk/article-1356401373154/It's only about a 15min drive from me so would be perfect to get away from the bright south Belfast lights if it's suitable. Regards, Keith
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Post by bigeye155 on Dec 29, 2013 0:02:52 GMT
Hi Keith,
If you are heading up sometime, give me a shout, I wouldn't mind checking that out too, safety in numbers etc. Its also quite handy for a lot of members in the Belfast area
Happy New Year
David
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Post by keithm on Dec 29, 2013 19:16:23 GMT
I would have risked it last night if I didn't have a couple of beers in me by the time I realised the sky was clear and I could just about make out Orion past the street lights! BBC are saying clear skies for tomorrow until 10pm and party cloudy from then so maybe that could be an option? www.bbc.co.uk/weather/bt17?day=1Happy New Year!
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pook
Member
Posts: 147
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Post by pook on Dec 29, 2013 19:31:45 GMT
Hi Guys, Give me a bit of notice and location and I'll head up too. I'll pack my week old mince pies in case we encounter anything, ah hold on, I've a leg of turkey left!! That'll do. Pook
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Post by bigeye155 on Dec 30, 2013 15:03:19 GMT
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Post by keithm on Dec 30, 2013 15:52:39 GMT
I can see the top of Divis if I stick my head out of my window and the sky is looking good at the minute. I'll definitely be there tonight.
Keith
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Post by keithm on Dec 30, 2013 21:30:42 GMT
I went up to Divis for about 1.5hrs from about 7 and the car park was open. There's a bit of a glow from Belfast which reached up to about the belt of Orion and I could just about see Saiph. The rest of directions were ok and I could make out about 4 of 5 of the Pleiades. I couldn't resist getting the telescope out but I think I messed with the alignment of the finder when trying to find the button for the red light so I couldn't see anything through it! :-(
There's a house beside the car park looking towards Belfast so the only time it bothered me was when a car arrived at it. There is a bit of traffic that goes past and about three times cars of young people came in and parked for a couple of minutes. I got a bit nervous when that happened but only once did they get out of the cars and that was to check on tyres. Only one of them said anything to me and that was just to ask was I photographing. It's probably not the bast place to go on your own but I thought the counterweight would make a good weapon if I needed one :-)
I wasn't expecting it to be as good as Delamont but I thought it might be better than what it was. It may be useful for some people and I think I would go up again but it would be good to get a second opinion.
Keith
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Post by bigeye155 on Dec 30, 2013 22:44:01 GMT
Good report Keith, I think due to the location and any curious passers by, I'd be nervous about going there on my own. If you are going up again, give me a call and we'll get a small posie armed with knowledge and some counterweights don't forget we always have the 'ACE' up our sleeve though, just send Pook in to give them some verbal David
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Post by cormac on Jan 8, 2014 12:11:46 GMT
Hi,I live locally and have been thinking of heading up to Divis but was nervous about being up there alone, let me know on forum when you are heading up next time.
Cormac
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Post by keithm on Jan 13, 2014 22:48:15 GMT
I'm thinking about heading up on Saturday night if anyone's up for it.
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Post by tintin on Nov 28, 2016 13:14:09 GMT
You are insane going up there on your own!
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