In search of Total Darkness

[Bart]

My wife and kids are away at the moment. I'd love to spend some 'quality time' with my scope. However, the moon is in the way and the forecast is for clear skies tonight and tomorrow morning. Stellarium suggest the moon and sun are both lower than -18 degrees (which I understand is astronomical darkness) at about 4am. Tempted to eat, sleep and start the day very early with some real dark sky observing. Am I right in thinking this is as dark as I'll get?

Painting the front room is why I'm left behind so I'll probably end up painting the room a differnt colour due to the near coma like state I should be in tomorrow. Ah well, can't win them all.

Should it be 'black' tonight at 4am?

Thanks

Bart

[delilahtwinkle]

Hi, I work nights driving and it is definately at its darkest around that time.

[brantuk]

Try this link (my first planetarium software) - the insolation tab will tell you when it's darkest all through the year

Sky View Cafe - Astronomy - Star Charts and Ephemeris

[Bart]

Thank you for the help Gentlemen, think I'll go to bed now and have a go early tomorrow There's a lot of info on that wesite Brantuk, seen it before, but never really stopped to look at it much. Clear skies to you both!

Bart

[sunshine185]

It doesn't get dark in oldham, just more orange. Am so envious of some peoples remote locations.

[Bart]

Well folks, here goes, its 3:50am and the scope is out, the kettle in on. Yes its dark, even without adapted eyes, I can see all the Ursa Minor stars. Sunshine185, even where I am, the orangeness is getting worse as time passes. I cant really complain though, except maybe for the mist thats coming in.

Bart

[Kai]

I like early mornings rather than late nights the air seems stiller , at the moment it looks fairly stunning outside (been up since 4) .But as you say just before dawn the mist starts to form but i can live with that

[Bart]

Just having a coffee now. Great night/morning. Used my Wixey for the first time. I can't believe how much it helps. Got the Leo triplet, M3, a really lovely edge on galaxy NGC4631 (thanks SACs 110 Best of the NGCs), M63,M51 , M42 (who can keep their eyes off that beauty) and just before the east got too bright, old Big Ears, Saturn came up. Couldn't get the scope to it, but it was lovely and golden colour with the oval shape clearly visible in the binocs.

A good night.

Bart

[Beulah]

Leo Triplet...wow, that's a springtime treat for me!