NSW - Anyone remember what clear skies look like ?

Stu Ward · #1 28-07-2010, 10:21 AM

Sat here in Wollongong, and apart from 2 nights ago, when the moon was blazing in the skies blotting out all the stars, i cannot remember our last clear night !!!

Its so frustrating, I'm desperate to get out again with my Dob.

I also want to pair it up to my Aldi Ironing chair !!!!!

Stu

Terry B · #2 28-07-2010, 11:04 AM

What are stars?

renormalised (Carl) · #3 28-07-2010, 11:10 AM

What are stars??....Yeah, I have this long cylindrical thing with what appears to be glass inside. What's that??!!!

Octane (Humayun) · #4 28-07-2010, 11:17 AM

Just you wait, this new Moon is going to be the best new Moon ever. Clear, dark skies with steady air and no twinkling.

It better be. I'm dying to give my new gear a good run, too.

H

renormalised (Carl) · #5 28-07-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

Just you wait, this new Moon is going to be the best new Moon ever. Clear, dark skies with steady air and no twinkling.

H

That was only a dream, H

AstralTraveller (David) · #6 28-07-2010, 11:31 AM

Stu,

I'm on campus at the moment and I can't see Mt Keira so it's pretty filthy. Recently we seem to have had a lot of nights where it is clear for a while, then cloudy, then maybe clear again - or maybe raining. Having said that my planned observing nights in the southern highlands have generally been clear this year. The last one was a write-off (and at least it was obvious from early in the day that it would be cloudy) but other than that this year hasn't been too bad. I remember two nights when it was clear but my wife and I were the only ones who turned up.

If you are looking for something astronomical to do, did you know that there is an exhibition of the 2009 Malin Award winners at the Science Centre? I'm not sure when it finishes so give them a call. Also there is a talk there next week.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=64008

cheers,
David

strongmanmike (Michael) · #7 28-07-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

Just you wait, this new Moon is going to be the best new Moon ever. Clear, dark skies with steady air and no twinkling.

It better be. I'm dying to give my new gear a good run, too.

H

Oh yeh! I for one can't wait to see what the Great HumV pumps out now he has a real astro camera

Mike

Octane (Humayun) · #8 28-07-2010, 12:28 PM

What, even if it's an SBIG, Mike?

H

higginsdj · #9 28-07-2010, 04:29 PM

You make do with what you get. I've been getting 1-3 nights a week on average, even with the moon up.

Suzy · #10 28-07-2010, 06:23 PM

I think,

and now correct me if I'm wrong here... when the sky is clear this kind of yellowish ball in the sky is bright and I think

it warms up the skin, may even burn sometimes, if unlucky you may even get blisters... I think....

Regarding the telescope, it's become an expensive ornament. I no longer remember what to do with it.

Perhaps I should hang it's mirror on the wall and get better use out of it.

Astro Ron assured me not so long ago, not to worry about the weather, there is plenty of winter observing left...Where are you Ron, I'm seeking you out, you told me a fib!

spearo (Frank) · #11 28-07-2010, 06:48 PM

The more it rains now the greater the chances of nice skies for the w/e of the 6th!
Skies will run out of water for sure by then.

frank

duncan · #12 28-07-2010, 07:29 PM

Hi All.
Haven't been on much due to lousy wireless connection up here in Weipa. Still cloudy and smoky and dusty and when it does clear lousy seeing anyway.So after 7 months i've packed the scope away and will just sit back and twiddle my thumbs. Can't even go fishing as it's been blowing 60kmh everyday as well.
At least i've got a good bottle or two of scotch,LOL.
Hope it clears for you Stu.
Cheers all,
Duncan

Jen · #13 28-07-2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

Just you wait, this new Moon is going to be the best new Moon ever. Clear, dark skies with steady air and no twinkling.

It better be. I'm dying to give my new gear a good run, too.

H

wake up H ya dreaming buddy Thats only gonna happen on the next full moon

AdrianF (Adrian) · #14 28-07-2010, 08:25 PM

Clouds finally cleared tonight and we can actually see bright shiny stars in the sky.

So much rain today the backyard is a mudhole. Council replaced the sewage lines running through my yard a couple of weeks ago and still a mudhole. Nowhere in the yard to setup the scope.

Adrian

leon · #15 28-07-2010, 08:39 PM

Clear skies,

yea stop dreaming, H

and all you lot, it will be cloudy forever.

Leon

mithrandir (Andrew) · #16 28-07-2010, 09:06 PM

Clear skies normally happen between sunrise and sunset.

Outbackmanyep · #17 29-07-2010, 12:26 PM

Its been 6 weeks for me for serious observing! So at the moment i have had NFI what stars look like!

Liz · #18 29-07-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

Just you wait, this new Moon is going to be the best new Moon ever. Clear, dark skies with steady air and no twinkling.

H

Weather up north is crappy as well - alas, most of our members have been buying goodies,

... but New Moon time will be great.
We have quite a few heading to Ravenswood camping!! Beautiful CLEAR skies, cant wait.

mozzie (Peter) · #19 29-07-2010, 03:12 PM

mmmm sick of it another 90mm last night!!!!

go away rain astrofest is coming!!!!!!

Ric · #20 29-07-2010, 04:24 PM

It's always crystal clear at my place, that is until I begin to set up.