My laser pointer impressed the self appointed 'Junior' Dark Sky Rangers enabling us to pick out particular stars as they appeared from behind the clouds. Everyone was really enthusiastic and, with the US/UK time difference, wide awake when the clouds disappeared totally and the stars came out to play. With a predominance of Leo's, one of whom had the same birthday as me, it was great when the constellation of Leo made its appearance above Jupiter.
All in all a great night out and as I left at 2.30am everyone was still wide awake and settling down to a late night cheese board and whisky tasting. To add to their walls of certificates that they have accumulated on their trips around the world everything from Salsa dancing to wine tasting I am now working on some 'Junior' Dark Sky Ranger certificates to give everyone to commemorate their stargazing night. We also have a special Dark Sky Ranger salute, which we can use to measure the distance between stars...... each clenched fist measuring 10 degrees so from the end of the big dipper (America) or plough (British) to the North star, Polaris is 3 hands.