Summer v Winter

mickoking · #1 20-02-2006, 11:07 PM

G,day Cobbers,

What do you believe to be the better night sky for observing, Winter (june , july, august for those north of the equator) or Summer (december, January, febuary for our northern friends)?

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #2 21-02-2006, 02:01 AM

I've been told that Winter is supposed to be the best time to observe.
But to me any time is a good time to get out there under the stars.

matt · #3 21-02-2006, 05:26 AM

I'm a winter/spring/autumn boy.

Less temperature variation, less atmospheric/thermals (maybe), gets dark earlier etc and dark for longer.

It's heaps better for my viewing during the week given I'm up at 3-30am for work.

Can get a cuppla hours of viewing in before off to bed.

rmcpb (Rob) · #4 21-02-2006, 08:24 AM

The cooler months, atmosphere seems more stable and the mossies less savage

acropolite (Phil) · #5 21-02-2006, 08:36 AM

Summer has been a letdown here with smoke, high whispy cloud and a raging jetstream overhead, winter is smoky because of woodheater and forestry burnoff, so IMO autumn and spring are probably the best times here in Tas.

matt · #6 21-02-2006, 08:45 AM

Oh lordy yes, Rob!!!

How could I forget the mossies?

Reckon we need to start a thread with pix of the most number of bites in 1 night. or maybe not

barees63 · #7 21-02-2006, 08:54 AM

I haven't had a chance to view in Winter yet but would dew be more of a problem in the colder months? (and over here, frost)..

rmcpb (Rob) · #8 21-02-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barees63

I haven't had a chance to view in Winter yet but would dew be more of a problem in the colder months? (and over here, frost)..

Yep, dew and frost can be a problem but fairly easily "fixed" with a light tube extension/dew guard on both your scope and finder scope. A simple stubby holder oveer your Telrad will help it stay clear longer. After saying this dew can be a problem on those hot, humid summer nights too and you have to worry about the mossies and not forget the Aeorgard and the bushfire smoke and the atmospheric turbulance and the jet stream and, and, and......

Winter, just pile on the jumpers, tracky dacks (now there is a good look) and beanies

ving (David) · #9 21-02-2006, 11:26 AM

winter has so far been better for viewing, but god i hate the cold!!!

circumpolar (Matt) · #10 21-02-2006, 01:30 PM

July, August and September are great. Especially in the evening.
Early morning not so good because of frost or fog.

#11 21-02-2006, 01:59 PM

It depends on where you are, up here in the tropics winter is the pick because it clouds and rains most nights between Oct and March, the air is much more stable in winter too, dew is more of a problem in summer here due to the high humidity, winter has very little, almost zero humidity so dew cant form. Heat causes everything to expand which is why the summer days are longer too, making shorter summer nights, another reason why winter is better. LOL.

dhumpie · #12 21-02-2006, 03:10 PM

I agree with circumpolar. Winter skies are amazing but you freeze your butt off...

Darren

danielsun · #13 21-02-2006, 08:36 PM

Melbourne winter is what you call freezing!!!!
Great sky's with scorpius and sagitarius, but antarctic conditions!!!!!
Though it still doesnt stop me getting out there on a clear moonless night!!

circumpolar (Matt) · #14 21-02-2006, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielsun

Melbourne winter is what you call freezing!!!!
Great sky's with scorpius and sagitarius, but antarctic conditions!!!!!
Though it still doesnt stop me getting out there on a clear moonless night!!

Yep. The wind C factor is a killer down your way. Last time I almost lost my finger tips to the ice maiden!!!
That reminds me, I still need to buy gloves.

matt · #15 21-02-2006, 09:01 PM

You'd love Canberra in the middle of winter

mickoking · #16 21-02-2006, 09:20 PM

I prefer autumn/ winter. No mossies, longer and darker night's and more to see.

RAJAH235 · #17 21-02-2006, 09:46 PM

No thanks Matt. Cold enough here. Just wear your thermal underwear, etc etc...

L.

ACE · #18 21-02-2006, 10:15 PM

Summers great for a quick peek, no shoes, don't need to rug up. But those dang mozzies get ya all the time.

But winter nights, when its crisp and clear.

norm · #19 21-02-2006, 10:27 PM

I like the idea of summer where you don't need to rug up, but as people have mentioned the mozzies can be a pain.

Winter is my preference.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #20 22-02-2006, 12:57 AM

You mean there are clear skies in summer somewhere

Easter through to September for me.

Jumpers? Winter? What are they

Mossies? Oh those things that disappear around Easter along with the clouds.