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Old 23-05-2015, 03:21 PM
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astroron (Ron)
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Cambroon Queensland Australia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tropo-Bob View Post
I was again told a version of this story when doing Astronomy Outreach last night. Basically, the story goes that my father/uncle/family friend said that when he dug wells, it was so dark down there that you could look up and see the stars.


About 20 years ago, I went on a tour of the Mt Isa Mines and I was able to look up a shaft from deep underground to the sky and only saw a small circle of blue sky. There absolutely were no stars visible and the sky was not dark, so I assume that this is just a myth.


However, it is surprising how often this tall tale is told and how difficult it is to debunk. I assume others have heard the myth, but has anybody had an experience that could lend any substance to it? (Digging wells at twilight or at night does not count!)
I have to agree with you ,it is a myth.
Have you ever tried to look at Alpha Cent through a finder scope in the middle of the day,?
It is so minuscule ,so I don't see just because you are in a well it would make any difference,in fact one would think that looking up at a small bright area of the sky would make it even harder.
Cheers
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