IF IT'S SEVEN CLEAR NIGHTS IN A ROW, IT MUST BE THE ALGARVE
I'm sure that many of you must have seen the adverts in the astronomical press
for COAA, the Centre for Observational Astronomy on the Algarve. You may even
have asked yourself - is it worth the trouble of going all that way? If I'm
observing all night, will I feel to tired to do anything the next day? Is it
a bit selfish of me to take the family all that way for a holiday when they
are not interested in astronomy?
The answer to the first question is a resounding yes. The COAA skies are clear
and dark and the likelihood of cloud free skies is much greater than in the
UK. However, looking south, there is some encroaching light pollution due to
continued construction of hotels apartments and roads as Portugal has received
a lot of EU development money. Don't let that put you off - these lights are
generally hidden by bushes and the observing conditions are very good.
Nine intrepid Leicester AS members set off in early August for COAA. It's run
by a British Couple, Bev and Jan Ewen-Smith. There are a number of suites there.
We had the family apartment with a double bedroom, single (child) bedroom and
bathroom. Accommodation is on a B & B basis (ca. £24 per night, depending
on exchange rates) and Jan also provides excellent evening meals at a very reasonable
cost (ca. £8). The apartments are well-appointed with tea/coffee making
facilities and TV (with BBC World) and books.
A number of telescopes and binoculars are available for use, including the 0.5m
telescope which is the largest working scope in Portugal. The scopes are housed
in 3 domes in the grounds. We used the 0.5m instrument to photograph some of
the nebulae visible, including the Lagoon and Trifid. Bev Ewen-Smith recommended
Kodak Elite Chrome film as the best to pick up the red of these nebulae. I couldn't
believe it when I saw our results - move over, David Malin! Cameras can be attached
to a motor-driven platform to obtain spectacular images of the southern constellations
and Milky Way.
The Milky Way is unbelievable! (I'm running out of superlatives here!). Once
my eyes had become dark adapted on the first evening, I could have sworn there
was a band of light cloud across the sky - but no, it was the Milky Way. We
chose early August 2002 as there was no moon around and we would also be able
to see the great clouds of the Sagittarius-Scorpius region. It was also a few
days before the Perseid maximum. Outside the domes there are sunloungers so
that one can lie back in the warm air and soak in the glory of the night sky.
These proved useful for Robin, who, despite his protestations, is very interested
in astronomy and has a deep knowledge for a 10 year old. One night I challenged
him to a Meteor Marathon on the basis that I would pay him 1 Euro for every
meteor he saw. He claims he saw 39 that evening! I've arranged a payment plan......
Observing in the domes is limited to a couple of hours or so each evening so
you are able to do the traditional sightseeing touristy things as well. After
all, if every night is a clear one (which it was when we were there), you will
be good for absolutely nothing is you stay up observing all night. I was not
the only one who, towards the end of the week, was secretly wishing for a few
clouds! Ever the rebel though, on a couple of mornings, I poked my head outside
our room door and was taken aback by the sight of the Hyades and Pleiades. I
felt that I could almost touch them, they looked so stunning!
If you take your family with you, there are lots of things to see and do. Nearby
attractions included the beach at Alvar, a wine co-op with a tasting facility,
megalithic remains (which we never actually saw as the custodian failed to appear),
the cathedral city of Silves with its torture museum, the mountains at Monchique,
the gypsy market at Portimao and the resort of Lagos (with its nudist beach
and rocks with rude shapes!). Some members of our party took light aircraft
trips over the area piloted by Bev Ewen-Smith.
On one day we drove to the most westerly point in Europe, Cape St Vincent, which
juts out into the Atlantic. I know that Neptune is normally credited with being
the windiest place in the Solar System but I suspect Cape St Vincent would give
it a good run for its money! The non-astronomical highlight of the holiday was
the boat trip from Lagos to see dolphins swimming out at sea. Such special creatures!
A wonderful week. Good accommodation and food. Excellent company. Wondrous skies!
Pity you had all that rain and thunderstorms here! Would I go again? YES!
Ann Bonell