How much observing are you getting done

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #1 05-11-2004, 08:47 AM

We have been in drought for ages and now we have torrential rains but is it just me or have had more than our fair share of cloudy nights this year?

Too many people buying telescopes webcams and new eyepieces I suppose

[1ponders] (Paul) · #2 05-11-2004, 07:05 PM

I know what you mean Seeker, I bought a LX200 4 weeks ago next monday and I've had it out twice. Frustrating!!

At least its not just up here in the "Sunshine" (Ha ha) state. Ya get home in the arvo and its looking positive, the excitement starts to build up, then around comes sundown and in they roll. Grrrr.

At least the plants are loving it. If only it would rain every time it clouded over, then it would be excusible. (The frustrated astronomer gets on a soapbox).

I wonder how the southern and western states are going? Maybe I should move to NZ. All those fabulous circumpolar constellations available all year. Thats if the telescope doesn't <<freeze>> up.

Maybe we need to have a telescope burning ritual to appease the Astronomy Gods. Do you think that would help?

Clear skies and Dark nights to all

Paul

astromark · #3 05-11-2004, 11:44 PM

No do not burn your telescopes to appease the gods.... they wont notice. Instead you could try a pile of old car tyres, and some polistirine.... cough, cough... that should show them you are fedup with the cloudy sky's... clear sky's are comming, I promise

iceman (Mike) · #4 08-11-2004, 07:56 AM

I haven't done much observing over the past month.. a few frustrated imaging attempts and that's about it..

I can't see it getting much better with the xmas season approaching, so much to do..

I wish I had a grab'n'go scope to take with me to our xmas holidays at Port MacQuarie.. but the 10" dob just won't fit in the back of the station wagon with all the kiddies gear for the hols..

The 11x70 binos will have to do!

At least there's an observatory at Port Mac with some open nights.. that'll give me my scope fix.

Saturn%5 (Graeme) · #5 09-11-2004, 08:30 AM

Hi All, Well not alot since i had my scope aligned , Bushfires smoke ,and now looks like i will be building an ark if this rain doesnt go away ,Maybe this week end.

rumples riot · #6 10-11-2004, 11:13 AM

Was going to get the scope out last night for some imaging, but went and visited friends ( much more important in the scheme of things). Have been waiting for clear weekend for four weeks, everytime it is clear I am informed that we have something on that night.

South Australia has had over 40mm of rain in November already and the average is 21 for the entire month. Someone has either bought a huge scope or the gods are not happy with me at the moment. Only had the scope out twice in the last month. When is spring really going to spring?

Enough whinging, at least the cockys are getting the water that they need. But in a month they will be whining too.

Paul

Starkler (Geoff) · #7 12-11-2004, 08:05 PM

Twas a sunny day with cloudless skies all day , and right on cue at dusk the clouds roll in.

iceman (Mike) · #8 12-11-2004, 10:55 PM

I had a great night tonight, a good mix of visual observing with a few afocal and widefield fixed tripod shots. Spent 2 hours under the stars with fantastic moonless, clear, calm sky.

I'll write up an observing report and process the photos over the weekend or on monday.

rumples riot · #9 13-11-2004, 09:26 AM

Just checked the satellite map and looks like a front is heading your way Iceman, the time is 851 am on Saturday SA time. It looks like here in SA we may get some clear skies tonight and I have permission to go out and do some imaging. First time for nearly month.

Have a good weekend

Paul

iceman (Mike) · #10 13-11-2004, 01:51 PM

Quote:

and I have permission to go out and do some imaging

Lucky my wife was tired and went to bed early last night, so I didn't need permission

Quote:

Just checked the satellite map and looks like a front is heading your way Iceman

Yeh the winds and cloud have really picked up, blowing a gale now (14:00 saturday arvo). Of course it'll be cloudy tinight.. was hoping to show my sister-in-law and her husband some clusters etc.

rumples riot · #11 13-11-2004, 03:02 PM

sky is clearing now in SA, looks like (fingers crossed) the imaging session up in the scrub might be a goer.

Couple more hours (now 1432 hours)

Paul

ving (David) · #12 22-11-2004, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by astromark
No do not burn your telescopes to appease the gods.... they wont notice.

give them to me instead

Daring Dave · #13 23-11-2004, 01:36 AM

Ive only managed 4 short attempts in the last month....

Ive finally got some time off work and its cloud cloud cloud in Melbourne....AGAIN !

iceman (Mike) · #14 23-11-2004, 06:00 AM

Same.. after such a beautiful weekend on the 13th/14th, it's been raining and cloudy since.. not one observing night or morning