It is so nice to have almost a week of decent skies and near a new moon for a change! After June the skies were terrible for almost 3 months with poor seeing and timing with the few ok nights. Not sure if that is normal in this state as I never really paid attention until imaging. I hope my fellow NC imagers are enjoying this drier and clearer skies!
Clear Skies!
Well Written Respectful Engaging Supportive
No, it wasn’t like this the previous two years. I went back and checked out my imaging during the same timeframes the previous two years and had much more imaging days than we did this year. Yeah, I’m thankful for the recent clear nights. I collected a lot of data the last 4 nights. Last night I was able to view Jupiter and Saturn with a 12” Dobsonian and have to say those were the best views I’ve ever seen to date since starting this challenging, frustrating, and most wonderful hobby.
Clear skies,
Rob
Clear skies,
Rob
I was able to get out Friday night at my son’s school and show his class Jupiter and Saturn through my 6” SCT. Definitely draining trying to herd a bunch of 3rd graders (and their parents)and I just gave up trying to people to turn off their flashlights. But it was good. don’t spend anytime on the planets anymore but it reminded me a bit about the magic of seeing ‘out there’ for the first time.
I have to get a Dob sooner rather than later so I can spend some time with my son just star gazing. The past few days have been pretty clear here as well.
William
I have to get a Dob sooner rather than later so I can spend some time with my son just star gazing. The past few days have been pretty clear here as well.
William
Rob Calfee:
No, it wasn’t like this the previous two years. I went back and checked out my imaging during the same timeframes the previous two years and had much more imaging days than we did this year. Yeah, I’m thankful for the recent clear nights. I collected a lot of data the last 4 nights. Last night I was able to view Jupiter and Saturn with a 12” Dobsonian and have to say those were the best views I’ve ever seen to date since starting this challenging, frustrating, and most wonderful hobby.
Clear skies,
Rob
Thanks for checking! I was really disappointed and then had my first guiding issues so it was a real challenge getting back in the saddle. I am doing 4 targets tonight and guiding great thankfully. Beautiful night out! Not so dang cold.
Paul
I was able to get out Friday night at my son’s school and show his class Jupiter and Saturn through my 6” SCT. Definitely draining trying to herd a bunch of 3rd graders (and their parents)and I just gave up trying to people to turn off their flashlights. But it was good. don’t spend anytime on the planets anymore but it reminded me a bit about the magic of seeing ‘out there’ for the first time.
I have to get a Dob sooner rather than later so I can spend some time with my son just star gazing. The past few days have been pretty clear here as well.
William
That's a wild bunch to keep under control at night even.. Kudos to you for the effort!
Paul
Welp it looks like the clear sky party is over for awhile and we are back in the soup for a week or so..and so little rain. It was nice around the new moon for sure. I have learned a lot and realize for me consecutive nights help the learning momentum. Fortunately I have some new targets to reprocess again. Ya'll keep up the good work and don't let the kids eat all the candy!