7 replies to this topic

[grif 678]

I have been the last month or so, knowing there are four planets in the night sky, but it is harder for me to get out these days. We have had severe cold weather here in NC, or cloudy , or foggy. The kind of weather that I can not handle any more. I was beginning to wonder if I would e able to view all these planets in one night again. So we , after all this cold etc, had a warm day, up to 80 degrees, so out came the 90ETX. The weather was so good, the moon was not full enough to hurt anything. The atmosphere was really good, no boiling, I could see Venus, very sharp edges, Jupiter was very sharp, bands were clear and the moons were pin point. Mats was also nice, could see some of the dark spots easily, with a modest 80X. The worst view was Saturn, because it was so low, down in the tree tops.

It is going to be cold again tomorrow, with highs in the 40's, windy, so I am very happy to get this night. Hopefully we will have some nice viewing nights again before the planets move on .

[12BH7]

I remember looking through a few ETX 90s back when they first came out. They were really nice little scopes.

 

Glad you were able to get out and see a sky full of planets. As for Saturn, I sure miss seeing the rings.

[Mike Q]

I am with you on the cold part.  I was not able to take advantage of the best nights to see the planets due to it being in the low teens and single digits.  Then the one night it was warm enough, around 20 or so, the jet stream was parked on us.  So i am going to miss the parade of planets this year it would seem 

[grif 678]

I am with you on the cold part.  I was not able to take advantage of the best nights to see the planets due to it being in the low teens and single digits.  Then the one night it was warm enough, around 20 or so, the jet stream was parked on us.  So i am going to miss the parade of planets this year it would seem 

I do not know how viewers make it up north, with the temps you have to deal with, especially at my age. When in my early years, I could stand it, but I was seeing things back then for the first time. If I was seeing things now for the first time, I may try to observe during some cold weather, but not as cold as it where you are at.

[skysurfer]

Indeed, I live in NW Europe with a relatively mild winter climate comparable to Pacific NW and even I consider such temps below freezing as too cold for an observing session. So how do people in Norway, Finland or Montana, North Dakota, Michigan handle there horrible cold with negative Fahrenheit ?

[Mike Q]

I do not know how viewers make it up north, with the temps you have to deal with, especially at my age. When in my early years, I could stand it, but I was seeing things back then for the first time. If I was seeing things now for the first time, I may try to observe during some cold weather, but not as cold as it where you are at.

I am pretty much done at 20F, maybe 10F if there is absolutely no wind.  Even then the session will be short.  I have lost 30 pounds and am on various meds for my heart and blood pressure which seems to add to my cold bloodedness.  Combine the cold with the cloud cover that settles over my part of Ohio this time of year and winter observing is something that I just dont expect to do.  I am currently at 95 days since my last observing session in early November 2024.  Eventually i will catch a day i can take advantage of LOL 

[A Star Geezer]

Had the same clouds here. I guess you weren't out on our -12 night! Neither was I hahaha

[grif 678]

I am pretty much done at 20F, maybe 10F if there is absolutely no wind.  Even then the session will be short.  I have lost 30 pounds and am on various meds for my heart and blood pressure which seems to add to my cold bloodedness.  Combine the cold with the cloud cover that settles over my part of Ohio this time of year and winter observing is something that I just dont expect to do.  I am currently at 95 days since my last observing session in early November 2024.  Eventually i will catch a day i can take advantage of LOL 

I am on blood pressure meds also, and I think it adds to my cold bloodedness also. It is bad, because the winter has the most beautiful sky with Orion, and lots of planets