About Myself

Me and my C8

Hi! My name's Peter Vasey. I was born in 1943, but only started observing regularly in 1999 (see First Steps). I live in Boldon, Tyne & Wear, in the North East of England. I moved here before getting seriously interested. Big mistake - it's one of the most light polluted places that I've ever lived in! But it's very handy for work, and not too far to good dark sites - I've been to one near Bellingham, Northumberland and one at Derwent Reservoir, Durham, both about 45 minutes drive on good roads. See UK Light Pollution Map. I'm an Electrical Engineer by profession, and have run my own small (very!) Plastics Extrusion Company since 1973. BUT see the updates below!

Although I've become very interested in Astronomy, my lifelong hobby has been singing, mainly choral in recent years, my primary chorus being the Chorus of the Royal Northern Sinfonia since January 1989 (still a full member in 2020 although Covid-19 has shut everything down - watch this space!). This means that there is often a clash of interests when I have rehearsals or concerts to attend on crystal clear nights! I've on occasion dashed home after such an event and hauled out my telescope at midnight! My 80mm wide angle refractor helps for the 'quick look' as well as its prime function for low magnification rich field stargazing. I've also been a keen skier for many years, although alas age is starting to tell now! But two years ago I took my 10 x 50 binoculars and was rewarded with sights of galaxies that are dim in my 8" at home. This year I packed my 80WA!

I have two daughters, the older is studying Music at University - she's a singer too - the younger is also at University reading Early Childhood Studies. Neither of them is interested in Astronomy! (But maybe one day??). Nearby lives Paul Jenkins, who runs the South Shields Astronomical Society Web Site. I met him when researching my telescope purchase. Paul and I have become good friends, shared a number of dark site trips, and if it's cloudy we swap experiences over a pint! I've progressed to CCD photography using a web camera for bright objects, and am considering investing in an astronomical CCD camera. Perhaps in the not so distant future when I retire, I'll move to a darker part of the region and build an Observatory with my retirement nest egg. Well, I can dream, can't I?

Update 1

Time has passed since I wrote the above. Now dated November 2002, I've been retired since June, replaced my C8 with an LX90, owned and sold a JMI NGT 12.5" - nice instrument, but the skies here just don't do it justice, and am actively house hunting in rural areas in NE England. Not an easy task - suitable properties are few and far between and rapidly snapped up - I've been disappointed on a number of occasions now. But keep trying! My older daughter has now left Uni. complete with a Master's degree in Ensemble singing, and is looking for work in Munich, Germany! The younger is in her final year.

Update 2

Now late Summer 2004. Both daughters are now working after their successes at University. I finally found a suitable house with beautiful views and decently dark skies, near Hexham, Northumberland (also shown on the Light Pollution Map). See my Observatory page. And I've replaced and added to my equipment line up. All set for I hope many years of enjoyable stargazing and imaging, albeit at the tender mercies of the British Weather. Thanks again for visiting my site and reading this far!