31 replies to this topic

[Raydarnsky]

We"ll I've been waiting and researching for over the past year to make a decision of what telescope should be my first. I lurked on Cloudy Nights, bought and read books, read reviews, tried to find star parties, you name it. I finally decided to purchase a Celestron 6" Evolution in early May. The scope arrived on the 14th of May and since then it has rained or been cloudy with the exception of two nights. I live in Wyoming now mind you where our average year results in no more than 12-14" of moisture and a big part of that is usually snow. So for those of you that live in drought prone areas, forget about rain dances, cloud seeding and or prayer, just but a telescope and your troubles will be over! I now understand why the forum is titled "Cloudy Nights"!We went out last night and looked at the moon and even though it was somewhat Cloudy the view was spectacular with the clods passing in front of the moon.

[Skywatchr]

We"ll I've been waiting and researching for over the past year to make a decision of what telescope should be my first. I lurked on Cloudy Nights, bought and read books, read reviews, tried to find star parties, you name it. I finally decided to purchase a Celestron 6" Evolution in early May. The scope arrived on the 14th of May and since then it has rained or been cloudy with the exception of two nights. I live in Wyoming now mind you where our average year results in no more than 12-14" of moisture and a big part of that is usually snow. So for those of you that live in drought prone areas, forget about rain dances, cloud seeding and or prayer, just but a telescope and your troubles will be over! I now understand why the forum is titled "Cloudy Nights"!We went out last night and looked at the moon and even though it was somewhat Cloudy the view was spectacular with the clods passing in front of the moon.

Welcome to the club!  The "new scope curse" is quite prevalent. And it often morphs into the "any new astro gear curse"!  

[Jethro7]

685nmHello Raydarnsky,

Its the Butterfly Effect. I know that this effect, is not logical but it sure seems to be true. 

 

HAPPY SKIES TO YOU AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

.

[vtornado]

My new scope seems to attract smoke  

[RCLARK28]

NAGC CURSE is real...new astro gear curse! Or NAGS

I came here several years ago and received good data and recommendations to get me back to viewing.

*Any new EP .and. .or.  or new setup with anything hardware related brought clouds, poor conditions and smoke.

*Good luck and take advantage when you can. Now I am so very grateful for good nights.

*Now any new software and any upgrades bring NAGC. Any new test even with bino's brings it on.

The kids at the club call it NAGS new astro gear syndrome

 

Clear skies to you all.

[Jon_Doh]

Congratulations on your new scope!  Yes, buying a telescope has an impact on the weather.  It used to be every new telescope came with a complimentary box of clouds, but dealers have upgraded the "gift" so that the box now includes clouds and rain 

[Pixeltim]

Interesting, I thought it was my fault. I bought mine a few weeks ago and I've been buying eyepieces and other stuff for it almost daily. I guess I better stop.

[rfcooley]

Congratulations on your new scope!  Yes, buying a telescope has an impact on the weather.  It used to be every new telescope came with a complimentary box of clouds, but dealers have upgraded the "gift" so that the box now includes clouds and rain 

They upgraded it because some of us are real sucker hole enthusiast. Can't have that the damage to our psyche could be long term. 

 

Interesting, I thought it was my fault. I bought mine a few weeks ago and I've been buying eyepieces and other stuff for it almost daily. I guess I better stop.

Wow I feel better now.

 

I thought it was my fault for things I ordered over a month ago. Its nice to be relieved of the guilt. I feel much freer now. Maybe next time it will work right!  

 

51/50

 

RF
 

[NinePlanets]

Nope. I did it. My fault.

Bought bigger aperture. It's been a month of clouds and rain in the middle of a cloudless drought all winter.

The farmers and ranchers should thank me.

[GSwaim]

Lots of people buying scopes and accessories now? 

Half the year is gone but the clouds still persist. Nobody seems to have decent skies these days...

[Rooran]

It's funny, the people that buy snow blowers and snowmobiles have similar problems..

[truckerfromaustin]

Welcome to the New Equipment Curse member society. I've bought a few new to me telescopes, mounts, and tripods in the past year or so. My last viewing session was 4 months ago. I'm probably going to buy a pair of binoculars to look at the clouds.

Cloudy Skies

[Stretch67]

<-----  Yep, new 'scope and gear.  Sorry about the weather.  

[star acres]

That's nothing. Buy a blimp.

[Stretch67]

That's nothing. Buy a blimp.

What focal length?  

 

[TacoBuddy]

 I have a telescope that arrived with an incorrect/unusable base and the skies were clear for a week. The day the correct base arrived the skies clouded over... CLASSIC.

[epee]

I've come to the conclusion that just owning a scope will change the weather.

[Dart106A]

Works exactly the same when your new EP arrives in the mail! Celestron 10mm Luminos arrived today. Small chance of rain tonight, but 100% chance of clouds. 

 

73, Mark

Edited by Dart106A, 11 June 2025 - 08:40 PM.

[jesco_t]

This hobby certainly changes the perception of bad weather. Previously you've only been annoyed when it rained during the daytime, now you care about the nighttime weather also. Double the disappointment.

 

Still worth it, though.

[mac57]

It seems that the only time the skies are clear is when the Moon is out. 

[Landau]

My new scope has had the same effect. First rain in weeks last night. And as of Monday I’m out of town for the next two weeks so I’m really hoping for clear skies in the next two days.  

[NinePlanets]

I'm a month into the weather from my new aperture - no end in sight. I sure hope there's a new moon around whenever I get to play with it.

[Jehujones]

I bought three Delites and my weather has been anything but delightful 

[Tom Bassi]

  Jumping back into the game after a lengthy hiatus - my son and I purchased a 9.25 CPC back in 2011 (picked it up at High Point Scientific, nice road trip) which has been in storage almost since. Mid-April this season we dug it out and realized all of the accessories - hand controller, cables, eyepieces.......are missing and assumed accidentally tossed long ago. We were able to find those items on the used market, along with some useful threads here on CN about the necessary firmware updates that fixed problems including the dreaded GPS rollover (kinda explains why our "new" used HC wasn't really working). After all this we'd love to get it outside for an observing session, but I'd settle for a few rain-less hours just to see if our updates and GPS are working.

[BSeward]

I'm close to picking up the 6SE replacement for my Z8. I'm expecting lousy weather for at least the next month...