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I'm stuck between London and the M25 "carpark"; naked eye is about +3 mag and I can almost read the star maps without a torch due to the extensive sky glow.
The house is rented for the duration and compared with the std 3 bedroom brick veneer of Oz, is VERY small on maybe just under a 1/4 acre. There are houses all around us. It seems either to be cloudy or raining most ( read: ALL) of the time.
Notwithstanding, I know from experience that even the simplest of observatories will dramatically increase any available observing time I have.
Filters can at least subdue the sky glow and working with spectroscopes I can "dark field" most of the background.
What I'm trying to say is investing a few hundred $$$ will more than double your enjoyment of the hobby no matter where you are.
The added benefit of this TSO ( Tin Shed Observatory) is that it can very quickly be built with basic hand tools and can be re-used when you find the "ideal location".
I applied the KISS principle, and where like Bert I usually would have previously built it like the brick outhouse, with a factor of safety of x5 using twice the size of beams/ supports/ concrete actually required; this time it's realistic. How many of us have the luxury of staying put in the same house for more than a few years?? Families grow up, jobs change etc etc.
This observatory is cost effective and works! What if it only lasts 5 years - so what!
I'd recommend it to anyone.
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