Noting the sky conditions for your log
- Flyhigh7
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Noting the sky conditions for your log
I used to just count the number of stars I could see near my zenith with the naked eye which isn't always a good way as it also depends upon what is above you. Another thing is I would use a fixed eyepiece of high magnitude on a planet if available or other object and compare the level of detail against other views of the same object.
Even if you don't keep a log I imagine most of you would go out at night and look at the sky to see if it is giving you good conditions for telescope viewing or not. So I'd like to hear what the experts and experienced users do to determine the condition of the sky for viewing.
Thanks in advance!
Telescope: Celestron Evolution 9.25 with Celestron Motor Focus
Evolution WiFi Mount Head/ built in 10 Hr Battery and CPC Tripod
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 / Heavy Duty Tripod
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- Bigzmey
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
At home with light pollution, if there is no clouds it is good enough.
Kudos for keeping the observing log!
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- KingClinton
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
Are the stars twinkling? This is usually a sign of poor conditions, only come out if desperate.
I can on average see down to a 3.5 mag stars by eye, once I notice a drop in that I don't bother. For me a quick look at the constellation Crux will reveal all, if I cannot see the four stars clearly then I know the conditions are poor.
Wind, humidity and heat can also play a factor and reduce your seeing and transparency.
Not to worry, with time and experience you will quickly recognize what type of skies you are dealing with.
Here is a link to a article explaining more about seeing and transparency.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... XnNIw3m2qH
- Graeme1858 Online
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
Graeme
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
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- Flyhigh7
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
Telescope: Celestron Evolution 9.25 with Celestron Motor Focus
Evolution WiFi Mount Head/ built in 10 Hr Battery and CPC Tripod
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 / Heavy Duty Tripod
Orion 2x54 Ultra Wide Field
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XT EOS 350D
Diagonal: Baader 2" BBHS Sitall Mirror
EPs: Baader Hyperion Aspheric 36mm 1.25"/2", Pentax XW 20mm, Pentax XW 7mm,
Tele Vue Delite 11mm, Plossl 40mm & 13mm
Barlow Lens: Tele Vue 2.5x - 1.25" Powermate
Filters: Baader Planetarium Neodymium Moon & Skyglow Filter
- jrkirkham
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
Telescopes: 50mm refractor, ED80 triplet, 90mm makcass, 10" dob, 8"SCT, 11"SCT
Mounts: Celestron CGX, Orion Sirius + several camera tripods
Cameras: Canon 6D, Canon 80D, ZWO-ASI120MC
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AL Projects Currently in Process: Double Stars, Comet, Lunar Evolution
- AstroBee
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
I also note the date and average temperature throughout the night because the SQL readout varies throughout the seasons. It also helps to track the encroaching light pollution on a few of my favorite spots.
The same spreadsheet also tracks the objects I imaged with links to them on my website.
And now you guys know where my body will be found if I ever go missing on one of my astronomy outings...
I actually had the data complete on the SQL tab but it was in a stand-alone spreadsheet and it was accidentaly deleted last November, so I'm in the process of rebuilding it now.
Scopes: Celestron EdgeHD14", Explore Scientific ED152CF & ED127 APO's, StellarVue SV70T, Classic Orange-Tube C-8, Lunt 80mm Ha double-stack solar scope.
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- Flyhigh7
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
I WANT ONE!
I'll bet this would be a great help in determining if you should bother to set up on some nights.
I'm going shopping for one now.
Telescope: Celestron Evolution 9.25 with Celestron Motor Focus
Evolution WiFi Mount Head/ built in 10 Hr Battery and CPC Tripod
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 / Heavy Duty Tripod
Orion 2x54 Ultra Wide Field
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XT EOS 350D
Diagonal: Baader 2" BBHS Sitall Mirror
EPs: Baader Hyperion Aspheric 36mm 1.25"/2", Pentax XW 20mm, Pentax XW 7mm,
Tele Vue Delite 11mm, Plossl 40mm & 13mm
Barlow Lens: Tele Vue 2.5x - 1.25" Powermate
Filters: Baader Planetarium Neodymium Moon & Skyglow Filter
- AstroBee
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
Just to be clear, it only determines the sky brightness of your location, not really sky quality. So it doesn't help with seeing conditions.
Scopes: Celestron EdgeHD14", Explore Scientific ED152CF & ED127 APO's, StellarVue SV70T, Classic Orange-Tube C-8, Lunt 80mm Ha double-stack solar scope.
Mounts: Astro-Physics Mach One, iOptron CEM70EC Mount, iOptron ZEQ25 Mount.
Cameras: ZWO ASI2600mm Pro, ZWO 2600MC Pro, ZWO ASI1600mm
Filters: 36mm Chroma LRGB & 3nm Ha, OIII, SII, L-Pro, L-eXtreme
Eyepieces: 27mm TeleVue Panoptic, 4mm TeleVue Radian, Explore Scientific 82° 30mm, 6.7mm , Baader 13mm Hyperion, Explore Scientific 70° 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, Meade 8.8mm UWA
Software: N.I.N.A., SharpCapPro, PixInsight, PhotoShop CC, Phd2, Stellarium
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- Flyhigh7
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
Is there such a meter that can measure sky quality conditions. I recon not or you'd be using one unless the eyes of bees have the sensitivity to do that. I know you guys have 5 eyes and a way to detect UV.
Telescope: Celestron Evolution 9.25 with Celestron Motor Focus
Evolution WiFi Mount Head/ built in 10 Hr Battery and CPC Tripod
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 / Heavy Duty Tripod
Orion 2x54 Ultra Wide Field
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XT EOS 350D
Diagonal: Baader 2" BBHS Sitall Mirror
EPs: Baader Hyperion Aspheric 36mm 1.25"/2", Pentax XW 20mm, Pentax XW 7mm,
Tele Vue Delite 11mm, Plossl 40mm & 13mm
Barlow Lens: Tele Vue 2.5x - 1.25" Powermate
Filters: Baader Planetarium Neodymium Moon & Skyglow Filter
- AstroBee
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
Scopes: Celestron EdgeHD14", Explore Scientific ED152CF & ED127 APO's, StellarVue SV70T, Classic Orange-Tube C-8, Lunt 80mm Ha double-stack solar scope.
Mounts: Astro-Physics Mach One, iOptron CEM70EC Mount, iOptron ZEQ25 Mount.
Cameras: ZWO ASI2600mm Pro, ZWO 2600MC Pro, ZWO ASI1600mm
Filters: 36mm Chroma LRGB & 3nm Ha, OIII, SII, L-Pro, L-eXtreme
Eyepieces: 27mm TeleVue Panoptic, 4mm TeleVue Radian, Explore Scientific 82° 30mm, 6.7mm , Baader 13mm Hyperion, Explore Scientific 70° 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, Meade 8.8mm UWA
Software: N.I.N.A., SharpCapPro, PixInsight, PhotoShop CC, Phd2, Stellarium
https://www.nevadadesertskies.com
- Flyhigh7
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
Telescope: Celestron Evolution 9.25 with Celestron Motor Focus
Evolution WiFi Mount Head/ built in 10 Hr Battery and CPC Tripod
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 / Heavy Duty Tripod
Orion 2x54 Ultra Wide Field
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XT EOS 350D
Diagonal: Baader 2" BBHS Sitall Mirror
EPs: Baader Hyperion Aspheric 36mm 1.25"/2", Pentax XW 20mm, Pentax XW 7mm,
Tele Vue Delite 11mm, Plossl 40mm & 13mm
Barlow Lens: Tele Vue 2.5x - 1.25" Powermate
Filters: Baader Planetarium Neodymium Moon & Skyglow Filter
- pakarinen
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
True. I just use the standard aviation classes -
Clear / Few / Scattered / Broken / Overcast, and occasionally Haze or High Cirrus.
Man... That's some icky-tasting stuff!
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- Mike Q
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Re: Noting the sky conditions for your log
Orion XX16G
Stellina
AT102EDL
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