Adripio Caelum (Seize the sky) by Patrick Ward

For many people and especially those of us with an interest in science, astronomy is a truly rewarding hobby. Indeed, being under a clear dark sky stargazing with a telescope or binoculars is so inspirational that makes almost any inconvenience worth while.

As we know reaching the actual stargazing stage normally involves quite a lot of preparation. Getting our telescopes out from where they are stored, taking them outside (or into the car and then dark site), aligning the mount with the celestial pole, letting the telescope cool down, etc. All of this represents a significant investment in time and energy (astro-gear can be heavy!). Often this is compounded by our variable English weather. Many times you may have asked yourself: “How long will it stay clear?” or “Is it worth getting the telescope out?”

Any hobby you choose, from chess to Morris dancing, will have an “opportunity – preparation – execution – disassembly” cycle. For us amateur astronomers, opportunity means a simultaneous clear dark sky and free time combination. We then need to make a judgment on the weather. This equation usually tends to balance towards cloudy skies and no stargazing!

A good way to beat the weather and increase our quality telescope time is to minimize preparation and disassembly. If you have a reasonably dark sky at home and space in the garden you may think of setting a telescope up permanently. There are many ways to do this. From a “roll away” wooden shed to a purpose built room with a movable roof; it does not need to be expensive. Building your observatory can be a fun project to undertake and once finished it will allow you to seize the sky before the clouds do.

Clear skies and good observing!

Patrick Ward - Redditch Astronomical Society