Telescope Reviews: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinking...

· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt

· Submit a Review / Article

Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums

Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User

You are not logged in. [Login]

Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online
FAQ · Calendar

Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | (show all)

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinking...
#3087454 - 05/05/09 09:55 PM

weather...

Pretty much since I've had my "new" MI-250 (and the new QHY8) I've been subjected to non-stop clouds (and now rain) the last 10 days...

I tell ya, I'm fed up with it! Curse be Darned! I mean, yeah, I suffered about a week of the curse... deservedly

then, got things polar aligned and drifted in, about a week+ ago...

But now I'm ready to finally run this puppy in!... but, the neverending forecast is...

Argh! It must be all those NEAF purchases! yeah, that's it!

I need some clear skies, and I need them NOW!

Ahhhhh, yessss... now I feel a bit better!

clear enough skies

Post Extras:

BCB
Undercover Saboteur

Reged: 11/24/03

Loc: Look over your shoulder

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinking... new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3087462 - 05/05/09 10:03 PM

That makes 2 of us.. No SOONER did I say, "ship to:", and the clouds, and rain rolled in, and haven't stopped since....

Post Extras:

antilles72
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/06/07

Loc: Rhode Island

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: BCB]
#3087488 - 05/05/09 10:17 PM

Hey Dave, even my wife is feeling sorry for me. This must be the post NEAF curse, and I did not even go!!!

Post Extras:

David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: antilles72]
#3087505 - 05/05/09 10:26 PM

That's why I hate the late spring/summer/early fall. If the clouds don't get us, the haze does. And that brings heat, humidity, sweat, skeeters. AAAAAAHHHHH!

David

Post Extras:

Dr Morbius
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/06/07

Loc: ManorvilleNY-but not for long

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: David Pavlich]
#3087531 - 05/05/09 10:39 PM

All I did was buy a silly 27mm panoptic at NEAF and not one clear night since then. In fact I'm contending with heavy rains the past week!

Post Extras:

mtb.daily
sage

Reged: 09/19/07

Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Dr Morbius]
#3087645 - 05/05/09 11:45 PM

Me,

I'm just doing the HyperTune to my EQ-6 Pro......

But, just watch and see, I'll get it all done and

BOOM

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: mtb.daily]
#3087748 - 05/06/09 12:58 AM

We ain't doin' any better in NH! I've got mounts that need to be tested and we're now considering building and Ark!

Steve

Post Extras:

CounterWeight
Postmaster

Reged: 10/05/08

Loc: Cloudyopolis, OR.

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Telescopeman54]
#3087831 - 05/06/09 02:22 AM

Build the ark and navigate it to Ariz / New Mexico / Fl ...

We here in Portland have webbed feet and would rust with that much good weather !

Post Extras:

Trebor777
Hazy

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: CounterWeight]
#3087853 - 05/06/09 03:01 AM

I heard that clouds were invented in the Oregon/Washington area.

Is that true?

Post Extras:

mwedel
Works with Sauropods

Reged: 12/16/07

Loc: Claremont, CA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Trebor777]
#3087862 - 05/06/09 03:15 AM

Quote:

I heard that clouds were invented in the Oregon/Washington area. Is that true?

Nope. They're actually GSO clouds, they just get shipped from the West Coast.

Post Extras:

Darenwh
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/11/06

Loc: Covington, GA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: mwedel]
#3087978 - 05/06/09 07:15 AM

You buy a nice mount like the MI-250 and you expect to use it after just a week or two of clouds? That nice a mount is liable to get you a whole year of clouds. Add to that all those people who purchased the TMB eyepieces on NEAF special, the Televue eyepiece sale, and all the other sales and we may never see clear sky's again. I hope it clears up soon for you.

Post Extras:

starbob1
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 03/11/07

Loc: IN

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Darenwh]
#3087982 - 05/06/09 07:25 AM

Same here in Ohio Valley'IN;Got a new CGE and it has been sitting 10 day.More rain today also thursday friday.YADA YADA YADA

Post Extras:

RAKing
Postmaster

Reged: 12/28/07

Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: starbob1]
#3087996 - 05/06/09 07:40 AM

It's no better in Virginia. We had one of our wettest Mays in history last year and it looks like Mother Nature is trying to break that record this year.

Maybe I should buy one of those new ES 14mm Underwater eyepieces.

Ron

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Darenwh]
#3088060 - 05/06/09 08:38 AM

Quote:

You buy a nice mount like the MI-250 and you expect to use it after just a week or two of clouds? That nice a mount is liable to get you a whole year of clouds. Add to that all those people who purchased the TMB eyepieces on NEAF special, the Televue eyepiece sale, and all the other sales and we may never see clear sky's again. I hope it clears up soon for you.

Boy, I sure hope you are wrong on THAT prediction!

that would really stink!

The whole reason I'm now setup at this new level is so that I can take advantage of the smaller "sucker holes" that we get all the time here in New England... an hour here, an hour there kinda openings...

In the meantime, I suppose I can just putter around in the obs, getting things all tidy like...

Truth be told, we did actually kinda need all this rain... but still, sheesh

It would be nice to explore some galaxies during the spring galaxy season after all!

clear enough skies

Post Extras:

hfjacinto
I think he's got it!

Reged: 01/12/09

Loc: Land of clouds and LP

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3088111 - 05/06/09 09:12 AM

Last clear day was Wednesday last week and we have rai at least until Saturday. I just ordered a dew heater, its not fair. There hasn't been any dew, its been washed away by the rain.

I even made a sacrifice to the weather gods by buying the wife jewelry to make up for all my astro purchases. What gives!

Post Extras:

Lord Beowulf
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/13/08

Loc: Cedar Park, TX

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: RAKing]
#3088142 - 05/06/09 09:34 AM

Quote:

It's no better in Virginia. We had one of our wettest Mays in history last year and it looks like Mother Nature is trying to break that record this year.

Hey, at least you're getting rain. We've been in drought conditions in Central Texas for so long that the very little rain we've had has things growing, but we're nowhere back to where we need to be. But the clouds just linger! Talk about frustrating. Opressive humidity and constant clouds but no friggen rain! I just keep wanting it to rain and get it over with so that the water's in the ground and not overhead!

Beo

Post Extras:

waassaabee
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/26/07

Loc: Central California Coast

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Lord Beowulf]
#3088200 - 05/06/09 10:18 AM

The only clear nights I've seen lately have been mid week during a full moon.

Post Extras:

hfjacinto
I think he's got it!

Reged: 01/12/09

Loc: Land of clouds and LP

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: waassaabee]
#3088335 - 05/06/09 11:37 AM

I justed checked the weather and first possible clear night is Sunday and guess what ITS GOING TO BE A FULL MOON! UGH!

Post Extras:

Rick Woods
Postmaster

Reged: 01/27/05

Loc: Inner Solar System

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: hfjacinto]
#3088356 - 05/06/09 11:51 AM

OK, you want to hear something weird?
Two weeks ago tomorrow, I ordered a piece of gear. It was supposed to be here last Friday. The NOAA site showed rain for that entire weekend for me.
A couple of days before it was to arrive, I called the vendor for a tracking number. Well, they hadn't sent it yet, but it was expected to go out the next day. I immediately went to the NOAA site, to see the rain had disappeared from my forecast. But I still had clouds.

I tell you, it KNOWS!

Post Extras:

hfjacinto
I think he's got it!

Reged: 01/12/09

Loc: Land of clouds and LP

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Rick Woods]
#3088392 - 05/06/09 12:15 PM

I have a better one, right before I ordered my Dew Heater, I checked the weekly forecast and it was partly cloudy, no rain. I was on a business trip when it got in on Wednesday, it was clear on Wednesday and Thursday, but I got home pretty late and didn't want to take the scope out. Started rainign on Friday (that was 5 days ago, rain every day and night). I agree IT knows.

Post Extras:

rwiederrich
Goldfinger

Reged: 11/17/05

Loc: Always Dark skies of Belfair W...

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Trebor777]
#3088594 - 05/06/09 02:05 PM

Quote:

I heard that clouds were invented in the Oregon/Washington area. Is that true?

That's probably the truth.

We had a great clear night last night(between storms)...and again today it's raining C&D's.

You have to be extremely busy in the shop building scopes to get you through the rainy season.

Waiting on clear skies round hear is like watching grass grow.

Rob

Post Extras:

Aaron Johnson
member

Reged: 09/26/08

Loc: Riverside, CA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: rwiederrich]
#3088634 - 05/06/09 02:25 PM

Yea, I just got a brand new 9mm eyepiece Friday, so of course it clouded up Sat & Sun. Yesterday I just got a bahnitov focusing mask, but I don't think I'll be able to do anything until this weekend, at which point the weather is supposed to be going from "clear" to "mostly clear". With my luck it'll change to "cloudy". I think the June gloom is coming early

Post Extras:

Darenwh
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/11/06

Loc: Covington, GA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Aaron Johnson]
#3088659 - 05/06/09 02:46 PM

You just might get lucky Aaron, it's close to a full moon so the clouds may part for a little while.

Post Extras:

rwiederrich
Goldfinger

Reged: 11/17/05

Loc: Always Dark skies of Belfair W...

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Darenwh]
#3088696 - 05/06/09 03:03 PM

Quote:

You just might get lucky Aaron, it's close to a full moon so the clouds may part for a little while.

It could be a *Lunar* prank.....No one ever wants to look at the moon...so he's ticked off...and he increased his gravitational effect...which sends the clouds into a tizzy.

When he goes full blown(full moon) he releases his hold on the clouds...allowing them to run for the hills...exposing the bright unabstructed moon. It is a typical thing around here....rain..rain.. then it clears up for a full moon.

Someone needs to get back there and set off a small reaction(preferably nuclear)in his ear to get his attention.

Rob(what a glorious day that will be)

Post Extras:

7331Peg
Sirius Observer

Reged: 09/01/08

Loc: North coast of Oregon

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Trebor777]
#3089870 - 05/07/09 02:34 AM

Quote:

I heard that clouds were invented in the Oregon/Washington area. Is that true?

No, clouds were invented in California. But Oregon and Washington hold the copyright on RAIN!!!!!!

Haven't seen a photon falling from the sky for two whole weeks!

John

Post Extras:

waassaabee
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/26/07

Loc: Central California Coast

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: 7331Peg]
#3090084 - 05/07/09 08:26 AM

Quote:

No, clouds were invented in California. But Oregon and Washington hold the copyright on RAIN!!!!!!

Haven't seen a photon falling from the sky for two whole weeks!

John

So true John.. As a matter of fact, one of the larger cloud production areas lies approximately 15 miles to my northwest. Sometimes when the cloud machines aren't in full production, they only spew marine layer which is undetectable on radar.

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: waassaabee]
#3090123 - 05/07/09 09:00 AM

Gary... I'm looking at your CSC and thinking you ain't got NO clouds! I'd give up BEER for a week for a CSC that looks like yours does right now!

Edit: yours also, Aaron!

Clear enough skies

Edited by Bowmoreman (05/07/09 09:01 AM)

Post Extras:

waassaabee
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/26/07

Loc: Central California Coast

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3090222 - 05/07/09 10:04 AM

Dave, Yes the CSC does indicate that things would be nice here, BUT that sneaky marine layer is under the radar... It will back out around 10:00am and come back around 6:00pm. Approximately 100 yard visibility...

Post Extras:

bdjeep
sage

Reged: 01/29/07

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: waassaabee]
#3090308 - 05/07/09 10:41 AM

That marine layer would drive me nuts. I lived out in the bay area for a little while. Beautiful sunny skies all day, followed by clouds at 6pm...like clockwork...just about every day. Maybe you guys should take up solar observing.

I did my part and spent a bit of money on some grass seed and topsoil for my yard. That should help spark a month long drought. I suggest others join in and do the same.

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: waassaabee]
#3090310 - 05/07/09 10:41 AM

The price you pay for "paradise", eh?

Here in New England we have a "marine layer" also... it's called SPRING (and pretty much winter for that matter)...

I have NEVER wanted to get out and use WSO as much as I do right now... this is KILING ME

And, no end in sight!

clear enough skies

Post Extras:

antilles72
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/06/07

Loc: Rhode Island

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: bdjeep]
#3090339 - 05/07/09 11:00 AM

Quote:

That marine layer would drive me nuts. I lived out in the bay area for a little while. Beautiful sunny skies all day, followed by clouds at 6pm...like clockwork...just about every day. Maybe you guys should take up solar observing.

I did my part and spent a bit of money on some grass seed and topsoil for my yard. That should help spark a month long drought. I suggest others join in and do the same.

Yeah, I am working on a whole new lawn. My sacrifice for the team.

Post Extras:

CounterWeight
Postmaster

Reged: 10/05/08

Loc: Cloudyopolis, OR.

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: antilles72]
#3090483 - 05/07/09 12:12 PM

Well, I am not going to say 'it can't be worse'

I am paying for my TEC 160ed today, Yuri says it'll arrive within a week or so. -No, I wont give you the tracking number.

Just as an FYI for anyone within 200 miles if you were hoping.

Or maybe according to the backwards inversion principal it will be nice for a few days before the 'greydome' replaces that blue sky?

Intersting, I bought some ZAOII ep's not long ago and had on their arrival 3 days in a row (of descending viewing quality) to try them out on the TOA 130... I was always under the impression that the more I was looking forward, the proportional increase in bad skies.

Talk about hilarious - look at my CSC!

Edited by CounterWeight (05/07/09 12:14 PM)

Post Extras:

adamsp123
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 11/20/08

Loc: welshpool mid wales UK

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: CounterWeight]
#3090727 - 05/07/09 02:11 PM

Would you guys stop sending this wet weather over the Atlantic to the UK please!

Pete

Post Extras:

Trebor777
Hazy

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3090765 - 05/07/09 02:27 PM

Quote:

Gary... I'm looking at your CSC and thinking you ain't got NO clouds! I'd give up BEER for a week for a CSC that looks like yours does right now!

Edit: yours also, Aaron!

Clear enough skies

Dave,

I think you're catching a cold and will have to call in sick to work tomorrow.

(aka: you have clear skies from 11pm - 3am - though the seeing will be bad)

Post Extras:

antilles72
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/06/07

Loc: Rhode Island

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Trebor777]
#3090777 - 05/07/09 02:31 PM

Good thing I work from home on Friday.

Post Extras:

hfjacinto
I think he's got it!

Reged: 01/12/09

Loc: Land of clouds and LP

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: antilles72]
#3091174 - 05/07/09 06:31 PM

I want to buy an OIII filter but I need at least a day in the next 2 weeks that I can use the scopes, so I might postpone it for a couple of weeks. I know the last 2 weeks of rain are punishment for going to the dark site, but it was worth it

Post Extras:

CounterWeight
Postmaster

Reged: 10/05/08

Loc: Cloudyopolis, OR.

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: hfjacinto]
#3091356 - 05/07/09 08:18 PM

"Dave,

I think you're catching a cold and will have to call in sick to work tomorrow. (aka: you have clear skies from 11pm - 3am - though the seeing will be bad)
"

---------------------------------------
here we call that the 'blue flu'

or "Jarvis"

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: CounterWeight]
#3091422 - 05/07/09 08:53 PM

yeah if I believed it would be true, I'd do it in a heartbeat...

Sleep is way over-rated, especially for THIS 50 year old!

right now will enjoy the Sox game, then take a gander... ifn it's a clearing, I WILL go out, darn it!

clear enough skies

Post Extras:

rodney
Vendor - Explora Dome

Reged: 03/08/05

Loc: Asbury, NJ

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3091447 - 05/07/09 09:13 PM

Funny, I picked up a new scope at NEAF and had three of the best viewing nights ever. Of course long hours at work made it worse but still enjoyable. Now that was 16 days ago. If it's not raining it is cloudy!! Oh yeah and hear comes that full moon. BLAH

EDIT: went out tonight to lock up a few things from yard work and it was clear-ish. Saturn looked remarkably good.

Edited by rodney (05/07/09 10:00 PM)

Post Extras:

7331Peg
Sirius Observer

Reged: 09/01/08

Loc: North coast of Oregon

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: waassaabee]
#3091820 - 05/08/09 01:27 AM

Sometimes when the cloud machines aren't in full production, they only spew marine layer which is undetectable on radar.

I've been nailed by that marine layer here on the Oregon coast more times than I can count, Gary. One clear night, in the ten minutes it took to walk my dog around the block (it's a long one), I got back to the house and found fog rolling up the street and over the roof tops. By the time I got everthing inside, I couldn't see across the street.

John

Post Extras:

Bart
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/28/06

Loc: Somewhere near Charlottesville...

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinking... new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3092234 - 05/08/09 09:46 AM

Quote:

weather...

Pretty much since I've had my "new" MI-250 (and the new QHY8) I've been subjected to non-stop clouds (and now rain) the last 10 days...

I tell ya, I'm fed up with it! Curse be Darned! I mean, yeah, I suffered about a week of the curse... deservedly

then, got things polar aligned and drifted in, about a week+ ago...

But now I'm ready to finally run this puppy in!... but, the neverending forecast is...

Argh! It must be all those NEAF purchases! yeah, that's it!

I need some clear skies, and I need them NOW!

Ahhhhh, yessss... now I feel a bit better!

clear enough skies

I feel your pain. In the DC area, today is the ninth day that rain is going to fall. It's sunny right now, but thunderstorms are predicted for this evening.

Post Extras:

amys
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bart]
#3092478 - 05/08/09 11:49 AM

And I thought all this rain was from my having gone ortho-nuts and buying a bunch of UOs and Baaders. Now I can blame all of you guys instead.

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: amys]
#3092943 - 05/08/09 04:07 PM

Oh happy day...

My CSC says that I may have 1-3 hours (from 8 to 11) where it may simultaneously be:

1) NO sun up
2) No clouds out
3) not total pea soup transparency/seeing-wise

Yeah, Luna will have her pretty - but far too bright - face out....

but it means I can actually PLAY with all my new stuff

... if it holds true, that is...

right now its about 85% clear with some white fluffies...

oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please....

I NEED to use this stuff SO badly!

clear enough skies

Post Extras:

Trebor777
Hazy

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3093125 - 05/08/09 06:03 PM

Quote:

Oh happy day...

My CSC says that I may have 1-3 hours (from 8 to 11) where it may simultaneously be:

1) NO sun up
2) No clouds out
3) not total pea soup transparency/seeing-wise

Yeah, Luna will have her pretty - but far too bright - face out....

but it means I can actually PLAY with all my new stuff

... if it holds true, that is...

right now its about 85% clear with some white fluffies...

oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please....

I NEED to use this stuff SO badly!

clear enough skies

It's clear right now (in CT - 6pm) but the clouds are rolling in from NY, of course it'll get cloudy as soon as the sun goes down...

The clouds are coming for you Dave!!!! You might get a few hours though... Have fun.

Post Extras:

waassaabee
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/26/07

Loc: Central California Coast

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Trebor777]
#3093234 - 05/08/09 07:12 PM

Big moon... clear sky... what's wrong with this picture..?

Hmmm.... shoot the moon?

Edited by waassaabee (05/08/09 07:13 PM)

Post Extras:

bdjeep
sage

Reged: 01/29/07

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: waassaabee]
#3096970 - 05/10/09 08:49 PM

Well Dave, despite the crummy looking CSC, it looks to be a clear night tonight. I hope you got your mother's day duties out of the way and are able to get out and enjoy the brief clear sky.

Post Extras:

zjc26138
Loved By All

Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: bdjeep]
#3097042 - 05/10/09 09:36 PM

Its been crummy ever since I got home from college for summer.

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: bdjeep]
#3097611 - 05/11/09 07:06 AM

Quote:

Well Dave, despite the crummy looking CSC, it looks to be a clear night tonight. I hope you got your mother's day duties out of the way and are able to get out and enjoy the brief clear sky.

Yeah, I enjoyed it just fine... Church, built a garden retaining wall out of concrete blocks - about 2000 # of them, dug the garden out, got about 50 (out of 100) bags of soil and peat put in, lawn mowed, little league game coached...

And then mother's day dinner grilled outside

All under extremely clear, albeit quite windy, skies

Then, like freaking clockwork, right after sunset and dinner dishes were done... when I peeked outside...

Yep

rolling in!!! ARGH

Kept checking every 30 minutes until 11PM and still

I'm just not sure how much more of this I can take!

At least I got my Electroluminescent Panel Light Box (for Flats) mostly built (only need the edging now. Fits the 200mm and the 80mm like a glove and will make taking flats a breeze).

Just ONE night with truly clear skies, please!

clear enough skies

Post Extras:

Trebor777
Hazy

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3098287 - 05/11/09 02:04 PM

I was lucky... I was out observing from 8:30 - 1:30 last night. The wind died down by 10-10:30 but there was a cloud in the sky.

But I stayed in the light pollution of the CT coastline. The clouds were north of CT's coast. So instead of driving to my dark(er) sky site, I went to my clubs observatory and set up there. It was a choice of light pollution but no clouds or darker skies with a bunch of clouds.

Dave, I've all but mastered the alignment/polar alignment process of the CGE. I love it. I used my illuminated EP for the alignment, and I'm not kidding, my first go-to was Saturn, I kept the Illuminated ep in, just to see how well I Polar aligned - Saturn was smack in the middle of the cross hairs. I was simply amazed. And then I did a timing test. It stayed in the center, little to no movement of Saturn for over 10 minutes - then I went on observing...

I had alignment spot on.

Post Extras:

bdjeep
sage

Reged: 01/29/07

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3098328 - 05/11/09 02:20 PM

Quote:

Just ONE night with truly clear skies, please!

Sorry about that. I saw some clouds roll in shortly after I sent that reply. Next time I'll keep my mouth shut.

It was clear and dark for just under and hour though.

That's progress, right?

Post Extras:

Parkit
super member

Reged: 08/08/08

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: bdjeep]
#3098966 - 05/11/09 06:59 PM

It may be my fault, I bought a 25" f/4 dob last month and have had one night with "just some high, thin clouds" (and a quarter moon) since then. Sorry about that.

Post Extras:

antilles72
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/06/07

Loc: Rhode Island

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Parkit]
#3099182 - 05/11/09 08:48 PM

OK. Sunny all day and now clouds have taken over the night sky. Last night was clear but when the pots are getting knocked over and empty garbage pails are rolling around the yard, I know it won't be a good night.

Post Extras:

hammerhead
professor emeritus

Reged: 02/18/07

Loc: MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3099238 - 05/11/09 09:15 PM

Just caught this thread Dave. I feel your pain man. I'm sitting next to a new (to me) AT 102ED that's giving me puppy dog eyes. It just wants to go out and play. Last time I was out was last new moon when I went up to Northfield with the dob. I haven't had my SCT out since some time during the winter!

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: hammerhead]
#3099266 - 05/11/09 09:32 PM

Thanks, guys! I'd watch the Sox for some consolation... but its another - the last!!!

west coast road trip, which means I'd hafta stay up later than all common sense...

Heck, Shawn could watch em live for breakfast!

Ah well, it'll be clear SOMETIME...

I did totally finish my flats/electroluminescent lightbox thingy today (got the pipe insulation around the outside ala: that article in ATT back last fall...

I've pretty much run OUT of things to putter on in the WSO; now I just need clear skies!!!!!!

Else-wise, I'm gonna hafta do MORE gardening...

ohnomrbillgraemlin:

Clear enough skies

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Trebor777]
#3099330 - 05/11/09 10:00 PM

Quote:

I was lucky... I was out observing from 8:30 - 1:30 last night. The wind died down by 10-10:30 but there was a cloud in the sky....

Dave, I've all but mastered the alignment/polar alignment process of the CGE. I love it. I used my illuminated EP for the alignment, and I'm not kidding, my first go-to was Saturn, I kept the Illuminated ep in, just to see how well I Polar aligned - Saturn was smack in the middle of the cross hairs. I was simply amazed. And then I did a timing test. It stayed in the center, little to no movement of Saturn for over 10 minutes - then I went on observing...

I had alignment spot on.

Glad to hear that CGE is working out for you, Randy. You deserve some breaks these days

I did like the performance of that mount quite a bit... I found that when I did the alignments with my 5mm Illuminated reticle, well, the goto's were just dead-nuts on... of course I had the luxury of permanent pier mounting!

That said, I know there's those who criticize some things about Celestron. But, I hafta tell ya, the CGE is one very good mount...VERY GOOD indeed.

Now, if only I could get some kinda clear skies, SOME time... to really dial in this MI-250, and get cracking with this new QHY8... It'd be nice to shoot some spring galaxies... IN THE SPRING!!!!

I'm thinking that the next time I'm out, I may just invest in making sure I have a solid 15 minute drift alignment (I'm at 10 minutes right now)... perhaps all this waiting for a clear night is simply to TEACH me about the glories of PATIENCE... If so, doing THAT first thing ought to pay dividence, right...???

Ah well... Tomorrow (Tuesday) we have yet another Little League game (the boys team - the Astro's) are now 2 and 1 (they were winning another game that got called by rain unfortunately - this is Quite a change from last year - when they NEVER won!)...

I'm thinking I need to plan an official Star Party sometime this early summer...

But, when I do... there will be no purchasing anything by anyone within a 200 mile radius within 3 weeks of the scheduled date And I'm serious about this!

But, I will invite all from anywhere nearby! Fire up my Texas pit BBQ, etc... Good eats, good beer/wine (etc.), good skies... Ahhhh, yesssss!

Really serious

about that purchase ban though!

clear enough skies

Post Extras:

bdjeep
sage

Reged: 01/29/07

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3100113 - 05/12/09 10:03 AM

Quote:

I'm thinking I need to plan an official Star Party sometime this early summer...

Woohoo!! Party!

Sounds fun. Have scope, will travel.

Post Extras:

waassaabee
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/26/07

Loc: Central California Coast

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3100324 - 05/12/09 12:00 PM

Quote:

I'm thinking I need to plan an official Star Party sometime this early summer...

But, when I do... there will be no purchasing anything by anyone within a 200 mile radius within 3 weeks of the scheduled date And I'm serious about this!

But, I will invite all from anywhere nearby! Fire up my Texas pit BBQ, etc... Good eats, good beer/wine (etc.), good skies... Ahhhh, yesssss!

Really serious about that purchase ban though!

clear enough skies

I sure wish I had invoked your clause above when I invited a few folks out to my place over the Memorial Day weekend...
I may still have time.

Post Extras:

Trebor777
Hazy

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: bdjeep]
#3100556 - 05/12/09 02:34 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I'm thinking I need to plan an official Star Party sometime this early summer...

Woohoo!! Party!

Sounds fun. Have scope, will travel.

Ditto.

Just make sure it's not a weekend where the Sawx & Yankees play each other.

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: bdjeep]
#3100820 - 05/12/09 05:06 PM

Hey Brian.. this is really weird... your CSC and my CSC are NOT identical...

Even though we live, like 3-4 miles from each other

whazzup with THAT?

clear enough skies (soon please)

Post Extras:

bdjeep
sage

Reged: 01/29/07

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3100949 - 05/12/09 06:27 PM

Quote:

Hey Brian.. this is really weird... your CSC and my CSC are NOT identical...

Even though we live, like 3-4 miles from each other

Stranger still, I think the two CSCs are more like 1 mile apart. I'm using the "Bolton" CSC, which is centered somewhere near the flashing yellow traffic light in busy downtown Bolton. That's clear across town from where I am.

Post Extras:

amys
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Trebor777]
#3101105 - 05/12/09 08:18 PM

Ditto.

Just make sure it's not a weekend where the Sawx & Yankees play each other.

I'll come. Can I wear my Yankees attire?

Post Extras:

hfjacinto
I think he's got it!

Reged: 01/12/09

Loc: Land of clouds and LP

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: amys]
#3101299 - 05/12/09 10:01 PM

Well,

I finally had a have decent night yesterday, took out the scope at 9:00 as it was still light. Set it up. Went home to get my list of items that I was going to see. Went back out, still light sky. Made a cup of coffee. Went out at 10 PM, alinged the scope. Looked for the double cluster, its behind the trees, see Saturn its behind another tree. Look at the globulars M3, m5, m15 (as I had the 6 inch I see no details, just light smudges). Look for the bright stars. They look fuzzy. I focus, everything is still fuzzy, I look up and clouds are coming in, I go to arcturus which is in the sky clear and look at it and it is also fuzzy. I look at the corrector and it dewed up. Luckily I have the dew heater, turn it on and its 11 PM and there is the moon. So I spent a little time on the moon and packed up at 11:30 as that was it. I hate spring with twilight only after 10:30 PM.

But I have a star party on Saturday. Clouds go away.

Post Extras:

hfjacinto
I think he's got it!

Reged: 01/12/09

Loc: Land of clouds and LP

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: hfjacinto]
#3101303 - 05/12/09 10:01 PM

BTW that was the first clear night in OVER 2 WEEKS

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: hfjacinto]
#3101528 - 05/12/09 11:59 PM

Well, my patience... if you can call it that!

has finally been rewarded... I'm out here NOW in WSO imaging for the very first time with my QHY8 and the new MI-250...

Took me a while to get my STV/eFinder to successfully calibrate (turns out that a f4 100mm finder scope for guiding needs a LONGER "move" time with the STV than the AUTO mode picks... got it working with 30 seconds MOVE time... once tracking, I'm now reporting an average error of plus/minus 2.8 arc-seconds (or is that pixels) in RA/DEC... (It's the "average error X and Y" as reported by the STV - any STV experts out there?).

I'm thinking this mount is a WINNER...

Anyways, am in the middle of a 5 capture series of 10 minute subs on M81... we'll see how they turn out...

Amazingly enough, this is the first time I've been able to even consider 10 minute subs... I'm CERTAIN there'll be lots of noob AP errors in the captures... but I am so thrilled to have a clear night (finally!)...

It is so cool to finally sit here in the warm room; watching the real-time display of tracking on the STV (through the window), listening to the slight whir of the fan on the QHY8... and using a dedicated laptop wirelessly (with Rubylith!) in my cozy warm room (while everything elsewhere is dewing up at a prodigous rate!

Thank you LORD for a nice clear, calm night... I've not even bothered with checking the seeing... I just picked the first "target" I could think of...

In hindsight, probably should have picked M51 or something... heck even the Sombrero is up now... whatever, it really doesn't matter the target... what matters is clear, moonless skies and my new KILLER mount!

Well, back to more imaging, and then I plan to capture some quick flats using my new electroluminescent lightbox that I built up (from the article/plans in the October 2008 ATT article)...

Clear enough skies to you all!

Post Extras:

hfjacinto
I think he's got it!

Reged: 01/12/09

Loc: Land of clouds and LP

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3101538 - 05/13/09 12:06 AM

I think I just should just complain all the time, I look at NOAA and it says partly cloudy, I look outside and not a cloud in the sky.I quickly grab my 6 inch and am observing within 10 minutes woo hoo (just got in). What a good night.

Edited by hfjacinto (05/13/09 12:07 AM)

Post Extras:

Lord Beowulf
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/13/08

Loc: Cedar Park, TX

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: hfjacinto]
#3101569 - 05/13/09 12:34 AM

So my last EP (30 mm 1rpd w/ 80 degree AFOV) arrived last night and just before dark there wasn't a cloud in the sky! I get the NexStar 11 GPS all set up and look up to see if any stars are visible yet and this wall of cloud has just moved across about 80% of the sky! Best I was able to do was focus on the local cell tower and play around with bouncing my GLP off of it! Pretty cool as the beam was up to at least softball size at that range.

Tonight on the other hand, perfectly clear skies after dark but winds gusting at about 25 MPH! Certainly not telescope weather!

Ok, I'm done shopping for a while. It can clear up now. Really. At least I've been using the down time for other projects. Made an EP holder for the 11" over the weekend and am finishing up my homemade light box.

Beo

Post Extras:

Trebor777
Hazy

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Lord Beowulf]
#3101587 - 05/13/09 12:50 AM

That dew rolled in quick tonight.

Post Extras:

Darenwh
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/11/06

Loc: Covington, GA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Trebor777]
#3101843 - 05/13/09 07:13 AM

I am happy to hear some of you are getting some nice nights now. I hope you get many good nights this year.

Post Extras:

Nebhunter
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/04/03

Loc: Frostbite Falls

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3102427 - 05/13/09 01:01 PM

Give up beer for a week for clear nights? I'm willing to bet that a bottle of Scotch will be next on the list.

You know it's been awhile when one is trying to polar align the G11, but can't find the other 2 stars to fit into the slots. After awhile - you take a good look, and find that - umm - that's not Polaris.

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK! I have officially HAD it with this stinkin new

[Re: Trebor777]
#3102793 - 05/13/09 03:45 PM Attachment (36 downloads)

It sure did, Randy! Everything was soaking wet by the time I called it a night just after 1AM...

But here is my very first attempt at imaging with the new MI-250 and the QHY8. A Widefield M81/82. I used the IDAS LPS filter, and did 5 subs of 10 minutes each. Guided using the eFinder on my STV (had to use a move length during calibration of 30 seconds, picked 5 seconds for guiding interval for tracking).

It didn't autoguide as perfectly as I'd hoped, but it was the first time ever doing it; I'm sure it will get better.

The STV reported an average error of about 2.5X and 2.5Y during the entirety of the process... I'm assuming that is arc-seconds/pixel (but an STV expert can, and should probably, chime in on that aspect).

All the processing with Nebulousity was actually quite easy, did it in 20 minutes this AM (never done this before!)

I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't capture more of the fainter aspects of M82 especially - I would have thought that 10 minute subs in an 8" F4 scope would have "caught more photons"??? maybe that's the IDAS - don't know...

much, MUCH more playing will be required.

But the MI-250 is a seriously sweet imaging platform. Effortless was the best descriptor for me last night. Not a single issue; once I got the STV to actually calibrate a moe that is -

The best part was, I did a warm restart from the last time I used/aligned the MI-250 (which was weeks ago)... and then did a goto Dubhe; it was almost perfectly centered in the QHY8's capture bulls-eye! Recentered it, and "synched" the Gemini... and then did the goto M82...

Perfect! Then all I had to do was much with the STV.

Anyone out there with an MI-250 also using an STV? I'd like to compare notes/settings. I'm wondering (aloud) if the eFinder (being a 100mm fl, f4 finderscope) is just SO wide angle, that might cause issues I was seeing with imperfect guiding?

Perhaps my image scale (for the ST237 guide camera for the STV) needed a different "move time" to move the requisite 10-15 pixels during calibration?

Anyways, I love this mount... It just WORKS in every particular.

clear enough skies

But then that isn't the mounts fault!

Post Extras:

Trebor777
Hazy

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.

Re: 3 Passings if the ISS tonight!!! new

[Re: amys]
#3103311 - 05/13/09 07:52 PM

Hey Northeastern people...we got a clear night....with THREE passings of the Space Station tonight.

1) Around 9:40pm
2) Around 11:15pm
3) Around 1:50am

http://www.n2yo.com/passes/?s=25544&tz=GMT-04:00

This site is great for satellite tracking

Where I am in CT, the first passing will be from the southwest and then passing somewhat to the North. The 2nd one will be in the northern sky, probably somewhat low, but passing west to east. The third one will be from the northwest traveling down to the southeast.

What a great night. 3 possible viewings of the ISS!!!! If you haven't seen it, get outside. It'll look like a bright star moving across the sky. I very easy to spot. (Note: if it's blinking, you're looking at a plane

)

Post Extras:

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | (show all)

Extra information

19 registered and 40 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator: Bowmoreman, bilgebay, iceblaze

Print Thread

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Thread views: 3398

Jump to

CN Forums

Home

Cloudy Nights LLC
Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics