Summer solstice 2024 observation strategy—anyone heading out?

The summer solstice (21 June) is almost here and I'm planning my observation schedule for the longest day. I'm based in Scotland (Cairngorms area) and the light nights here are actually brilliant for spotting activity - the sky never gets fully dark but you can still see unusual aerial phenomena.

I'm planning to set up at Glenmore near Aviemore on 20-21 June for a 24-hour observation stint. Who else is planning summer solstice work? There's a theory that anomalous activity increases at solar transition points (solstices and equinoxes). I haven't seen peer-reviewed evidence for it but the anecdotal reports are compelling.

If anyone's interested in coordinating observations (different UK locations, comparing notes in real-time), let me know. More eyes = better data.

I'm up for this. I'm in Yorkshire so I could do the Pennine Way or head up to Northumberland. The idea of coordinated observations across multiple sites is solid - that's proper citizen science. If you're going 24-hour though, bring enough supplies. I made that mistake once and nearly passed out from dehydration.

Glenmore is brilliant for this. The Cairngorms have consistent activity records going back decades. Make sure you're set up before twilight (around 10pm in late June) and stay until proper daylight returns (around 4am). That's your window. Also check with the Cairngorms ranger station first - they're usually fine with observers as long as you're safe.

The solstice correlation is interesting but let me play devil's advocate: couldn't increased observations at solstices just be because more people are outdoors? Summer solstice brings out the hikers and wild campers. More people looking up = more sightings, even if true UAP activity is constant year-round. Still worth testing though.

I'm genuinely interested in the methodology here. Would you be recording video, doing spectral analysis, just naked eye notes? If we're doing coordinated work across the UK I think we need to standardise our observation protocol. Worth setting up a separate thread for that?

South Wales here - I could get to Brecon Beacons for observation work. This is exciting. Count me in for coordination.