Melbournites, place your bets!

[Starkler]

The next new moon dark sky observing period is almost upon us once again.
Are you excited?

How likely do you think it will be that we get ONE good viewing night in during this period?
I define good as being cloudless from dusk to midnight..

Edit: dang I messed up the poll options, yes I know option 3&4 are the same thing:screwy:

[Alchemy]

i will go for one night as a 95% chance , it drops down to about 50/50 for two, it gets progresively dismal after that.

we are avid weather watchers here and the rainfall has been a smidge less in August than July over the last 5 years. so thats a plus

being a little more pedantic here is a chart of the amount of rain vs raindays by moonphase over several years. and just in case you dont think the moon effects the weather, it does. admittedly along with a billion other things. but it is interesting (sorry i lopped of the first couple of days in the pic)

[Dave47tuc]

An even chance of one!!!

Hey it's clear outside now:whistle:

[Jen]

Well the last 2 nites have been crystal clear hear good luck Melbournians
:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thum bsup:

:prey::prey::prey::prey::prey:

[erick]

I'm optimistic - radiate positive vibes...................:jump:

[TrevorW]

Ask One prolific threader about Melb weather and I know what the answer will be

[wavelandscott]

I am not from Melbourne but do have sympathy for you guys...That is why I voted for "will never happen"...as my wife and others tell me regularly that I am almost always wrong...my being wrong in this instance is a good thing for you guys...

I hope you get some clear skies!

[overlord]

:doh:won't happen until August when we have some strong wind to blow away the smog. I believe smoke must be assisting cloud formation, which is maybe the reason every single night sucks.

[§AB]

NO, NEVER, THERE WONT BE A SINGLE BLOODY CLEAR NIGHT FOR THE 5TH NEW MOON PERIOD IN A FREAKING BLOODY ROW NOW

[Starkler]

Thanks for the wishes :) We need every bit of leverage on the sky gods we can get.
Does anyone have a really big or expensive scope they are willing to destroy as a sacrifice to the sky gods? (dont look at me :whistle:)



:hi: Hi Sab , took you a while to find this thread :lol:

[Dave47tuc]

Ah let it be cloudy and rain for many months to come.:cloudy:

Its not like the stars are going anywhere:poke:

We need the rain :)

Hey Sab if you can get to the Moon:ship1: there plenty of clear skies there:P

[goober]

Wow, a rant and an eye chart :)

[glenc]

Melbourne in the rear-view mirror in Winter? ;)
Our winter is cloudier than usual too.

[TrevorW]

Lets take a poll

how quick Sab will complain about Melbourne weather once mentioned on a thread

:D:D:D:D;):rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Jen]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Starkler]

Well wouldn't you know, I just spent a couple of hours in the backyard with the dobbie and got some viewing in. At times the seeing was even half decent!

The problem is that if I could have had any confidence in what the weather radar was showing me late this afternoon, I would have loaded up the trailer and headed out somewhere darker. So tonight didn't count :P

[§AB]

wow that's a new personal BEST for melbourne

[Starkler]

The weather satellite (http://www.weatherzone.com.au/satellite.jsp?lt=wzstate&lc=vic&img=sat&ane=1&anf=1&and=1&ana=3&anb=333&anc=3&lye=1&lyf=1) is looking promising for tonight.


Dare i hope when so many times come dusk my hopes have been dashed?

[§AB]

DON'T WORRY, THEY WILL BE ALRITE.

For me, the 3 months have been a learning experience. Days that start off fine will end up cloudy one way or another. I've also learned that Astronomy is possible in Melbourne only between November and March.

I'm definately sure as ^%%$%*@ hell that it'll be cloudy on Friday night, forecasts are already suggesting it :mad2:

[PhilW]

The seeing was superb last night - almost completely stable. Maybe Sab you're just in the wrong suburb? :shrug:

[§AB]

Wrong suburb? Heck mate, I'm on the wrong half of the country!




crystal meth will do that to one's train of thought :P



yeah at this rate they'll all bloody supernova before the next flippin clear sky


I phoned Jetstar and they said that they don't offer services to the Moon from Tullamarine. I asked them why the hell not but they ofcourse blame fuel prices and "climate change" those cheap Ba$&^&^!!!

[goober]

Made a note in my diary on reading this. It says "bugger". :rolleyes:

[Starkler]

Righto the satellite cloud pic looks as promising as i could ever hope for.
Im going to load up the trailer and head down to the Briars tonight.

Anyone else coming?

[§AB]

No, because:

1. If it's not cloud, it'll be fog that'll ruin the evening. If its not fog, I'm sure there'll be a lifetime supply of dew.
2. I have an 8.30 start at uni tomorrow which means I have to get up at 5.30 becasue our public transport is so crap :mad2:

[PhilW]

You're tempting me Geoff! I am planning H'cote on Sat though so I might have to be home tonight.

[Alchemy]

well its clear here tonight..... heres proof

[Starkler]

Im home from the Briars and had no cloud, no fog and no dew.
Had a good night observing and chewing the fat with Dave and Greg:)
I was however being plagued with intermittant power problems constantly causing my argonavis to reset and loose its alignment, but I cant blame the weather for that ;)

Hope you got some viewing in at home Sab.



You should have come Phil. The last forecast I heard for Saturday doesn't sound promising. Hope its a good one for you.

[Dave47tuc]

Thanks Geoff for the use of what's a great scope the SDM.

No sign of Sab:shrug: Thought of cloud kept him inside:whistle:

[§AB]

WHAaaatziiiiiiizzzdiizzzz NO JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOZZZZZ!!!!11!!111 Now I've seen everything.



No, because I had to get up at 5.30am today :mad2: if i didnt have to wake up I would've joined you lot rather than stay at home



Damn 5.30 wake up. By sunset it became clear that it was gonna be clear. So Not only I missed the only clear night in Melbourne in winter, but also missed hanging out with you blokes and that 15" SDM.

On a continuing negative note, tonight will OFCOROURSE be cloudy as per freaking usual, Melbourne style.

What's the bet it'll be cloudy tonight? I'll bet my life, all my possessions and life savings. Man I'm gonna be a rich man. :lol:

[Jen]

:thumbsup: beautiful sky here tonight woohooo :cool::cool:
But i had to come inside for a bit to defrost dam its cold brrr :cold::cold:
Another drink and im back outside woohooo :2thumbs:
:astron: i might watch the sun come up :D
:tasdevil: