How much longer?

ianB (Ian) · #1 24-03-2014, 08:39 PM

How much longer will this heat and humidity last? The last few night trying to look at the planets was like looking at them underwater, way to fuzzy, as such i decided to pack the OTA away ( in the box it came in with a large desiccant bag ) and wait it out until the weather changes for the better.
Its been so hot and humid in our unit i did not want to leave my scope sitting setup in the corner, but at least its getting cooler in the evenings so there is hope, meanwhile i decided to make a desiccant cap for my SCT, a few weeks ago i asked a local camera shop if they could save a couple of film cannisters for me should they ever get any, they said we never get them, three weeks later they called me, i went in a few days ago and they gave me a bag of about 50 film cannisters!
I just made several holes in one placed two desiccant saches inside and placed it into the rear visual back, seems o.k, mind you i have a "real " desiccant cap on order from Bintel, as the humidity has been so high i thought i should get one.
Looking forward to winter!
Hope viewing conditions are good for Mars mid April?

Astro_Bot · #2 24-03-2014, 08:46 PM

I know what you mean. It's late March and I'm still sitting here, shirt off, fans blowing, at 8pm like it's January. Mind you, my house, with it's durable but otherwise loathsome tin roof, holds heat like nothing else. I could turn on the A/C I suppose, but that seems like a waste.

Kunama · #3 24-03-2014, 08:49 PM

Having lived in Mooloolaba for 10 years, I don't miss the humidity at all.
In fact I just recently sent a lens to Nikon Aust. to get the last of Queensland mould removed.

I am also going to sell my townhouse in Buderim as I don't think I could face the humidity again.

Remember to turn your lenses toward the sun for every now and then to kill off any spores. (remove filters first) .
I used to do the same with my telescopes, UV keeps the critters at bay.

ianB (Ian) · #4 24-03-2014, 09:03 PM

Thanks for the tip matt, i hope it does not need to be packed away for too long?
Someone asked me today do i miss the u.k, i said if money was not an issue i would go and live in Austria or Germany, while i love Australia its just getting too hot and humid for me.
I inow what u mean about those tin roofs astro, i used to do termite inspections and going into a tin roof in summer was such an ordeal, no more than 15 minutes at a time.

ianB (Ian) · #5 25-03-2014, 10:06 AM

That was quick!
On monday i ordered a desiccant cap from Bintel, it arrived just now Tuesday 8:15 am

ianB (Ian) · #6 26-03-2014, 06:44 PM

I never used to think too much about the weather, but since buying my telescope i think about nothing else.

acarleton (Aidan) · #7 27-03-2014, 11:06 AM

i know what you mean. in Sydney the weather has been horrible for at least the last couple of weeks and it is not looking good for another week. I have been unable to test my DSLR cooler, CLS clip and coma corrector, very frustrating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianB

I never used to think too much about the weather, but since buying my telescope i think about nothing else.

jenchris (Jennifer) · #8 27-03-2014, 11:18 AM

Well I just bought a new mount so the rains have started at last - Leyburn is out for this month and next month I'm off to UK for the summer

CJ (Chris) · #9 27-03-2014, 07:24 PM

Well, it's gone a bit cooler......

Astro_Bot · #10 27-03-2014, 07:28 PM

It sure has. But no need to set up your scope - just poor a bucket of water over yourself and your equipment and enjoy the same experience indoors!*

* It's raining heavily, for those not presently in SEQ or Northern NSW

BPO · #11 27-03-2014, 10:09 PM

It snowed here, the night before last.

CJ (Chris) · #12 27-03-2014, 10:57 PM

Right now a bucket would be more appropriate than a light bucket.

ianB (Ian) · #13 28-03-2014, 12:11 AM

Non stop rain today, and looks like rain for at least the next few days, i put another cover over the cardboard box where my telescope is to help stop the humidity getting in.
One thing i have noticed is that since putting in the farpoint desiccant cap into my scope, and its only been 24 hours, the silica geel beads have started to change colour, just goes to show that it is doing the job it was made for, mind you i did not think it would start to change colour so quickly.

ian

Spookyer (Brett) · #14 28-03-2014, 08:17 AM

The weather in Brisbane since mid December has been the cloudiest that I can ever remember. We haven't actually had very much rain but the clouds have been persistent. There has been only one sunny icon on the bureau 7 day forecast for about the last 8 weeks. Look again today and you will see 7 more days of clouds and showers.

Very frustrating. We should be coming into clearer weather in autumn but who knows what will happen, after all March has already been clouded out.

brett