Jump to content

Banner.jpg.b89429c566825f6ab32bcafbada449c9.jpg

Astro Darkness ???

Paul73

Recommended Posts

Paul73

Paul73

Posted
Posted

Here is a phrase that has been popping up across the forum as we move through spring (and probably straight on to Autumn without breaking step).

This will be my first summer of observing and I am a little worried that my vision of warm late evenings, clutching a large G&T and observing the wonders of deep space as the BBQ gently cools in the background; may not match reality.

I have noticed that the length of time between Sunrise or Sunset and it being dark enough for proper observing has been getting longer and longer. At UK latitudes how much "Astro Darkness" do we get through the balmy summer months?

Paul

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 26
  • Created
  • Last Reply
laser_jock99

laser_jock99

Posted
Posted

The UK is quite far north - which means in summer May-June-July it never really gets that dark or only briefly for an hour or two around local midnight. You might not notice the effect in a town but from the countryside it's quite plain that it's not really 'dark' at night in the summer. DSO observing is therefore limited but the moon and bright planets are easily observable. Then there is the elusive noctilucent clouds to look out for (not strictly astro- but can be a welcome interlude).

Thankfully from August onwards thing start to improve again. I always plan my main summer vacation in late August / early September as this can be a pleasant time of year temperature wise to observe. I can remember anight last year when I remained in shorts and tee-shirt, outside all night!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
brantuk

brantuk

Posted
Posted

The "Insolation" tab in "Skyviewcafe" gives a very good pictorial guide to hours of darkness for any date of the year. It also shows all the different levels of light/darkness. It's free to download and whilst not so flashy as Stellarium it does give lots of other interesting information including a map of the world showing the Earths shadow as it spins past the sun - all in real time. :)

http://www.skyviewcafe.com/skyview.php

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ollypenrice

ollypenrice

Posted
Posted

Head south, young man! Down here in southern France, Lat 44, we have a minimum of about 4 hours on the shortest night. It's amazing how much difference it makes. Ditto, heading north to Scotland has you totally bereft of darkness in June. (I know it sounds crazy, but I'm sure the Earth must be round...)

:grin: lly

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AndyWB

AndyWB

Posted
Posted

I don't know, I wouldn't be too negative about it in Berkshire, Paul. I had some great nights in June and July last year. Sagittarius is great, and has loads of great objects in it, and from a hilltop in Berks I was able catch M6 and M7 - the lowest Messiers. This was despite not being in 'Astronomical Darkness' - it still seemed dark enough to me! 

(Might be a different kettle of fish if you're doing astrophotography, or further north)

It does require a certain, um, commitment. I was starting observing at 11pm and stopping around 3am, but the summer sky has so much great stuff in it you won't see at other times. I know a lot of folks give up, but I'm looking forward to an all-nighter or two.

post-28380-0-01161100-1398355223_thumb.p

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Stu

Stu

Posted
Posted

Thanks Guys. Fascinating stuff.

Andy - I have no problem with the odd all nighter. Niw that I know that the elusive m7 is possible from Reading area. I'll stick at it!

Paul

I can normally only see the M4 when I'm in the Reading area but perhaps I'm getting confused ;-)

More seriously, I have an iPhone App called Sunrise Clock which is useful for understanding this.

Looks like in London we lose Astro darkness on May 23rd, and regain it on July 21st.

I often go camping in late July/early August on the south coast, and it is a great time to observe, the Milky Way is right over head running through Cygnus and there is plenty to see if you stay up late enough. Plenty of meteors around too.

uradysuz.jpg

abede7av.jpg

eqyhabe8.jpg

Had a lovely hour or so at Durlston Head last year, MW down to the sea and lots of the lovely objects in that area visible in binos.

Stu

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Paul73

Paul73

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I can normally only see the M4 when I'm in the Reading area but perhaps I'm getting confused ;-)

More seriously, I have an iPhone App called Sunrise Clock which is useful for understanding this.

Looks like in London we lose Astro darkness on May 23rd, and regain it on July 21st.

I often go camping in late July/early August on the south coast, and it is a great time to observe, the Milky Way is right over head running through Cygnus and there is plenty to see if you stay up late enough. Plenty of meteors around too.

Had a lovely hour or so at Durlston Head last year, MW down to the sea and lots of the lovely objects in that area visible in binos.

Stu

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Stu - App downloaded. My inlays live in Dorset near the sea so I can see the scope being sneaked into the car under the radar one weekend (not us how I am going to "sneak" a 10" Dob anywhere but I'll give it a go).

Paul

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Stu

Stu

Posted
Posted

Up here in Glasgow we lose astronomical darkness between 5 May - 8 August, or for simplicity, the fifth of the fifth to the eighth of the eighth.

John

It's amazing how much difference the latitude makes, even within the UK.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Stu

Stu

Posted
Posted

Thanks Stu - App downloaded. My inlays live in Dorset near the sea so I can see the scope being sneaked into the car under the radar one weekend (not us how I am going to "sneak" a 10" Dob anywhere but I'll give it a go).

Paul

It is well worth it Paul, away from the likes of Poole and Bournemouth, the skies really are lovely down there.

Stu

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RichM63

RichM63

Posted
Posted

After the amazing winter seeing that we all had ~: it will make a pleasant change to haul on the G&T and observe under the balmy summer evening skies.

Even if I can read a book under the light thrown down by the Milky Way.

No LP has its advantages. :) Although 3am to 4am can be impractical.

Best,

Rich

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bingevader

bingevader

Posted
Posted

As many have already said, there're too many great objects to observe to give up altogether. Unless you're too far north to get some darkness.

Fingers crossed for a few warm balmy nights, where we can stay out late with out getting cold, having just finished the bbq with a good beer or nice bottle of wine, sit back and enjoy the summer skies?!  :grin:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
dick_dangerous

dick_dangerous

Posted
Posted

I tend to think that between May 21st and July 21st you might as well have another hobby. Mine is surveying poisonous caterpillars in the park. Having said that I got my first views of M10, M11, M12, M27 etc. under July skies. August is probably my favourite month for observing - it gets dark but it isn't too cold and the best bits of the Milky Way are visible.

DD

Link to comment
Share on other sites
scarp15

scarp15

Posted
Posted

My observing territory is typically around 55 degrees North. Periods of astronomical darkness will increasingly diminish in the next few weeks, so hoping for a good bank holiday forecast next weekend to make the most. Will keep going though, particularly concerning planetary and Lunar observing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AlexB67

AlexB67

Posted
Posted

If you are prepared to get out of bed, sort of roughly between 1 AM to 2 - 3 hours there is still some good observing to be done even in around June I found last year at this latitude pointing to the darker bits of sky. Apart form the weird hours it has its own attractions, nice temperatures, in a t shirt, never gets cold in a nice summer night.

I'll certainly not be packing up my gear, that's for sure, usually there are more clear nights too. As Andy said, there some great bits of sky coming  and unless you are prepared to travel to other parts of the world, it will be the only time you can see some of that stuff  :smiley:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Thalestris24

Thalestris24

Posted
Posted

The "Insolation" tab in "Skyviewcafe" gives a very good pictorial guide to hours of darkness for any date of the year. It also shows all the different levels of light/darkness. It's free to download and whilst not so flashy as Stellarium it does give lots of other interesting information including a map of the world showing the Earths shadow as it spins past the sun - all in real time. :)

http://www.skyviewcafe.com/skyview.php

Yeah, even in Glasgow nights are short in mid-summer. On the other hand, nights are long in the winter :) Here is a useful link: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=90&month=6&year=2014&obj=sun&afl=-12&day=1

Also, of course, Stellarium will display how dark/light the sky is - much more meaningful than sunrise/sunset.

Now, shall I get myself an Astrozap filter?

Cheers

Louise

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.