Roll on darker nights

Vectisbirder · #1 (**permalink**) 23-06-2009, 02:15 PM

It's probably heresy to say so, and I admit I hate midwinter with 16 hours or so of darkness in every 24, but I will be glad when we're into late July and the nights are dark enough for deep sky observing.

christina · #2 (**permalink**) 23-06-2009, 02:32 PM

We live on the very edge of town and see the stars everynight...not sure if it would be any good for deep sky observation. We did have scare a while ago, when we returned from our spring trip to scotland we were horrified to see that a very tall street lamp had been placed outside our garden and it did block the nightsky...I was furious but remained silent. After about two weeks the lamp suddenly went out and has not been on since lol...There are only two houses affected by this lamp and that is us and the neighbour who is across the road, I am hoping that the neighbour had complained about the size of the lamp or they have broken it lol....my only suggestion is moving to the countryside or are you already there lol....

Vectisbirder · #3 (**permalink**) 23-06-2009, 05:27 PM

Already there. I wasn't talking about light pollution, although it is ever encroaching, but the fact that June is a time of all-night twilight.

James M · #4 (**permalink**) 24-06-2009, 12:16 AM

That's why I like August/September time, things are starting to get darker but it's still warm enough to stay outside, plus you have some good meteor showers to see too!

nytecam · #5 (**permalink**) 24-06-2009, 10:43 AM

I sense that WAB astronomers are fairweather observers - some I'm sure, from the downturn in posts, don't consider summer and astronomy go together at all

James M · #6 (**permalink**) 24-06-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nytecam

I sense that WAB astronomers are fairweather observers - some I'm sure, from the downturn in posts, don't consider summer and astronomy go together at all

Well personally I can be out whatever the weather, I remember being out watching the Geminid meteor shower while it was -6°C outside!

Vectisbirder · #7 (**permalink**) 24-06-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nytecam

I sense that WAB astronomers are fairweather observers - some I'm sure, from the downturn in posts, don't consider summer and astronomy go together at all

Hardly a fairweather observer when I go out during winter when it's minus 7 and there's ice on the path. Not to mention various trips the other side of the world for star parties.

Summer and astronomy go together quite nicely, during late July and August when it's dark at a reasonable hour and still warm enough not to wear a coat.