Astronomy on the decline in QLD???

[hotspur]

Just had a quick look in the classifieds.There certainly are some very good buys at present-3 good EQ mounts,and some good Smt cass tubes.

Most,if not all from QLD,just wondering if many QLD astronomers are moving on to other hobbies-and had enough of all the clouds and rain.Last year was a washout here.

I am pondering whether I am making the right choice buying a new mount this week!,sometimes wonder if I should have bought the macro package!

Its a hard hobby astronomy in QLD!,just wondering if a lot of members have had enough-bit of a shame.

Cheers Chris

[multiweb]

Only the hardcores will be left in the end. :P Clear skies will return. They always do.

[hotspur]

There is some amazing prices on mounts over there

a Lasmondy and EQ 5 and EQ6 with gear for a vritual bargin

Chris

[Ric]

It seems like every third year is a dud. I remember 2007 was a bad one for cloud cover and now 2010 was.

Technically the next two years should be good ones. :prey: :lol:

[AdrianF]

I have thought about disposing of my astro gear. Too much sitting there doing nothing. Sell the gear and put the $$$ into something more usefull.

Adrian

[BakerStreet]

I am getting a bit frustrated with the wet but when winter comes I will be ready. I live a bout two km from the Mt Kent observatory and the dark skies are amazing here.

The wet is not helping with my dome construction. I have the skeleton built and sitting in my drive way. I am worried that the ply will start to soak up water even under a coat of exterior paint.

[Liz]

Yes, 2010 was the worst year for observing for a long time here, but that was only 1 year out of many other good years.
Its gunna take a lot more than that to even contemplate the ... S word, nah, wouldnt dream of it. :D

[Rob_K]

:lol: :thumbsup:


Cheers -

[allan gould]

Can't believe the amount of rain we are having at the moment. But those few hours you manage to snatch from mother nature are like gold at the moment and help you get thru until next time.
It can only get better - can't it??????

[PeterM]

It's persisting it down right now, yet again. It is frustrating like I never imagined. 4 nights imaging since beginning November. 2010 a year to forget. Weather the storm folks and be here for the skies we know that Qld can produce.
If you sell your gear now what are you going to take up? Golf - nah, hate it and too wet anyway. Watch lots of Astro DVDs.

[andrew2008]

We are in the midst of the worst La Nina event since '73-76. SOI readings are the highest since then. Latest reports i have read indicate it could be another 3 months before the weather returns to more normal conditions, whatever they are. Then let's hope we don't have another 2 years of it like they did back 25 years ago.

Could be worse, at least we aren't in the UK. Cloudy year round and for half it you might get dark enough skies to observe for a few hours a night.

[keni]

I think it's my fault.
I just bought a new scope yesterday and went to unpack it this morning.
As soon as I opened the box it started.
I'm in the inner suburbs at Ashgrove and thinking of taking up white water rafting in the local creek.
Just strap the foam packing to my chest and away I go.

Ken....with mould where you wouldn't believe:eyepop:

[hotspur]

Hey,white water rafting sounds great!

Yes,its a little difficult for astronomers' here and many other parts of the

country,Look forward to clear nights.

I am looking for to my new astronomy mount arriving soon.

BTW,where and how much is a 'Astronomy 2011'.

Last years' issue is still is 'as new' very little use.hope this years gets all bent

up and dog ear from use.

Cheers Chris

[Jules76]

I must be defying the trend because I've been buying. Not a lot, but bits and pieces here and there. Just forked out on a GStar-EX of which it's only use so far involved imaging the kitchen bench from my study using my finderscope lol.

Someone has to keep the astroeconomy in QLD going. ;)

[Alchemy]

Not from QLD, but the same malady has set in down south in Victoria, south of the Great Dividing Range has been the worst, most days are cloudy certainly enough to preclude serious imaging, the observatory has remained closed for months now, summer is difficult with short nights and work wise my busiest time so serious astronomy has not been possible..... Mind you it's the same across most of Victoria so I don't feel too bad.
I'm glad we don't get the serious deluges that QLD gets, 200 plus mm in a day..... Never happened here in my memory, and yet it's become commonplace up north.

Will hang onto my gear, hopefully this year will see a new camera. I had the money this year but spent it on other things that would see more use in the short term.

I've been fascinated by astronomy since a young child, still more to do yet.:)

[RobF]

No doubt about it. Anyone with an astrophysics, paramount, tak, vixen etc mount should be out of the hobby quick. I know someone willing to give their gear a good home for a few years until they show interest again.....:D

[asimov]

Yes well, I'll be ordering a 16" DOB in a few hours - Hello more clouds..

[AstroJunk]

I'm an exeption too because my observatory is seeing plenty of action from the sky :lol:

(Am I glad that Sirius Domes are waterproof)