Cloudy Melbourne

04Stefan07 (Stefan) · #1 27-07-2018, 06:28 PM

Ok who bought new equipment?

It just clouded over here in Melbourne.

I hope it clears up for Mars!

Nikolas (Nik) · #2 27-07-2018, 07:01 PM

sick of it seriously over this weather

casstony · #3 27-07-2018, 07:37 PM

CFN says it will be clear later tonight, chin up

04Stefan07 (Stefan) · #4 27-07-2018, 08:00 PM

Upsets me how just after 5 and before 630 it’s so clear then just clouds.

It’s almost like it’s done on purpose LOL

Mamba (David) · #5 27-07-2018, 08:21 PM

Yesterday I finally got round to adjusting the excessive backlash in RA on my G11. Early tonight it was completely clear so time to find out if my efforts had yielded results.
Yes it had, go-to on the second star was cock on, ditto Venus so feeling pretty good until after some time noticed message RA Lagging and indeed the RA motor was warmer than the DEC motor.
Reluctantly closed down for the night, even I’m not stupid enough to try to make adjustments in the dark but now seeing your comments makes me feel much better!
Mamba

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #6 27-07-2018, 08:33 PM

You can blame me for the cloud over Brisbane for the past 4 nights...

I collimated the dob for the Mars opposition/Lunar eclipse 5 nights ago lol...has been cloudy every since. Frustrating...very frustrating!

04Stefan07 (Stefan) · #7 27-07-2018, 10:19 PM

We need a universal buzzer.

As soon as clouds clear press it and it alerts all Melbournians!

multiweb (Marc) · #8 28-07-2018, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04Stefan07

We need a universal buzzer.

As soon as clouds clear press it and it alerts all Melbournians!

Sounds like it will never be used. Save yourself some money.

Hans Tucker (Hans) · #9 28-07-2018, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casstony

CFN says it will be clear later tonight, chin up

And it did. Had the best views of Jupiter through a mates TEC 200 f/15 Mak Cass. Mars was a disappointment though..surface totally washed out. We were viewing between breaks in the clouds...just as we decided to pack up around 9pm the clouds cleared.

morls (Stephen) · #10 28-07-2018, 06:24 PM

I might be partly to blame too..got my new 180 Mak on Thursday. I've managed to get some views between clouds, enough to realise that this is a great scope that I'm going to have to learn to use...
Stephen

Joves (Aaron) · #11 28-07-2018, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

And it did. Had the best views of Jupiter through a mates TEC 200 f/15 Mak Cass. Mars was a disappointment though..surface totally washed out. We were viewing between breaks in the clouds...just as we decided to pack up around 9pm the clouds cleared.

Glad to hear you had great views of Jupiter through your mates Tec, Hans. I have the same scope and have been feeling a little guilty for not setting it up to point it at Mars yet this opposition, so am also somewhat glad to hear that I’ve not been missing much to date (considering I purchased the scope for planets and this such occasion). I sure do hope the dust storm hurries on up and settles in time to see Mars at an optimum size/distance!

Nikolas (Nik) · #12 28-07-2018, 07:02 PM

Managed to get a few pictures in between clouds of Mars but the transparency was poor, the best I could get was with the c9.25 prime with the 224mc Not much to see apart from some surface features obscured by the dust storm and Melbourne's swirly skies (Glen Iris)

Joves (Aaron) · #13 28-07-2018, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikolas

Managed to get a few pictures in between clouds of Mars but the transparency was poor, the best I could get was with the c9.25 prime with the 224mc Not much to see apart from some surface features obscured by the dust storm and Melbourne's swirly skies (Glen Iris)

Shame about the skies... on a positive note, at least you live in a lovely suburb in Melbourne!

Nikolas (Nik) · #14 28-07-2018, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joves

Shame about the skies... on a positive note, at least you live in a lovely suburb in Melbourne!

Yeah it is a beautiful part of Melbourne but "too leafy" as no one is allowed to cut or prune their trees anymore
Best Mars under the conditions

SimmoW (SIMON) · #15 29-07-2018, 12:11 AM

Alas I'm in 2 minds, cursing the clouds for astro but then loving the rain for our 3 dams. Think of the farmers. Many folks north of us suffering.

Atmos (Colin) · #16 29-07-2018, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimmoW

Alas I'm in 2 minds, cursing the clouds for astro but then loving the rain for our 3 dams. Think of the farmers. Many folks north of us suffering.

Rain everywhere but a couple of selected patches around Heathcote which much have permanent crystal clear skies with perfect seeing and transparency