Hi guys
Starting my govt funded trip to the desert! Thought this would be a great opp to check out some nthn constellations (i'm currently 20-30-odd N 50-60-odd E latlong).... but due to an enormous number of mercury vapour spotlights, and a zillion tonnes of dust in the air, all I can generally see are the planets, the moon, and some of the brighter stars - like sirius, betelgeuse and rigel... and bugger all else....

At least I'll still be able to catch the odd iridium!
take care everyone,
lee