Observing
We meet for observing at one of two sites: the car park at Wellow (which has no street-lights), south of Bath and on a public footpath leading from Gypsy Lane, west of Bath.
The Wellow site is suitable for observing when the Moon is up and making faint objects difficult to observe. The Moon and the planets are not affected and some of the brighter ‘deep-sky’ objects are still viewable. This makes it suitable for beginners who wish to familiarise themselves with the constellations and those who wish to observe the planets and the wonderful lunar features. It is easier to set up telescopes as cars can be parked nearby. At the end of the evening one can warm up in the “Fox and Badger” public house in the centre of the village.
The Gypsy Lane site is suitable when the sky is dark, and the Moon has not risen. This makes it possible to observe the fainter deep-sky objects, open star clusters, globular clusters, gaseous nebulae, planetary nebulae and galaxies. It is necessary to park cars on the verge to the north of Gypsy Lane and carry equipment through the opening in the hedge to the observing site. The local pub here is “The Wheatsheaf” on the A39 between Corston and Marksbury at the bottom of a lane which leads from the crossroads about 0.5km east of the site down to the main road.