Clear skies/Perfect viewing conditions

[OzStarGazer]

Are perfect viewing conditions more likely in summer or winter? One would think good viewing conditions are more frequent in summer, but it is also warm (even at night) in summer, while if a night is really clear in winter the viewing conditions might be better (with less turbulences)? Thanks for your opinion.

[pw (Peter)]

Actually I think Winter might be better.
Dry air and no heat waves rippling the air.
But that is offset by cloud and rain more frequently I guess.

[CJ (Chris)]

I suspect where you live effects which season works well. Up here on the Sunshine Coast summers are hot and wet. Winters are cooler and drier, and in my limited experience, better.

[OzStarGazer]

Thanks for the replies. I live on the coast too, so it is indeed likely that when the conditions are favorable the viewing is better than in summer. I only had my scope for about 3 months, so I have never used it in winter, but I suspected this to be the case. One additional reason to look forward to winter (apart from naked trees instead of leafy branches on the right side of my balcony).

[AstralTraveller (David)]

In general the cooler months are better. Some autumns the highs park themselves over us and you get good seeing without it being chronically cold. Otherwise it's generally the case that the fewer toes you can feel the better the seeing is.

BTW at least we are getting some clear skies but the seeing has been pretty ordinary.

[OzStarGazer]

I agree - the seeing was ordinary, but it was actually the first time I could use my new eyepiece for more than 5 minutes due to clouds, so that was nice and I actually have the nicest viewing of Mars so far (although my new eyepiece + the Barlow lens was a bit blurred, but the new eyepiece on its own was very nice). However when I first went on the balcony I heard some very loud flapping of wings so I had to close the door very quick because I didn't want an unwanted visitor at 2am.
PS: I have sheepskin boots for my toes (for next winter).

[Wavytone]

April-May generally best IMHO, higher percentage of clear nights, frequently good seeing and not too cold.

[Allan]

The Jetstream has a big influence on seeing. It tends to affect Southern Australia regularly, especially in winter when the Jets get up as high as Sydney.

So from that point of view if you live in the south, unfortunately you will have many more bad nights of seeing in the winter when the Jet is overhead.

[OzStarGazer]

I just hope I will be able to see the lunar eclipse in April. I REALLY look forward to it.