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Old 07-04-2013, 05:02 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Renmark, SA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andyc View Post
Just came in from a good observing sessions on a really pretty nice clear night in Melbourne. Not the most transparent I've ever seen, but frankly some people here seem unable to accept anything other than 100% perfect dark still skies.
Yeah and what's wrong with wanting perfectly clear skies for my DSO observing? I'm not going to bother hauling my heavy rig out and making multiple trips just to look at smoke haze.

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There was some very pleasant observing to be had. If all you can do is complain about the excellent astronomy conditions here, maybe best to move to a desert?
Now that's an oxymoron if there ever was one. Seeing as astronomy conditions are allegedly so "excellent" in Melbourne (LOL ) why would you suggest I move to the desert?

And let me tell you something, conditions for astronomy are *far* from excellent in Melbourne. A couple of outlier sunny months don't make it excellent. I can't fathom how anybody in their right mind would consider this area to be excellent for astro.


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And I'm with stephenb on the DSE's work. Reducing fire fuel loads is really rather important in Victoria, unless you fancy the next Black Saturday being even worse than the last one.More power to them, they mostly do a very good job. "Limited clear weather in Melbourne"?? Where have you been all summer?!
Where have you been for most of the year since Melbourne was settled?! Firstly, this summer was sunnier than average, but even then it is a crapshot getting a clear Friday or Saturday night. Secondly, Melbourne is absurdly cloudy for most of the year (annual average sky cover is 5.2 oktas) with a max of 5.7 oktas in winter (in other words nearly 3/4 sky cover). Finding a suitable clear night becomes difficult indeed, and by suitable I mean weekends, public holidays etc.

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Given the very large number of clear nights over the whole summer here, I'll happily sacrifice a bit of transparency on the odd night (and it was only a bit tonight), for a reduced overall fire risk.
This was one of the warmest and sunniest summers. Most other summers have been cloudier.

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Go on. Partake in our great hobby. It's nice and clear outside!
I will, I guess we just have to agree to disagree.
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