Clear Skies Diary S Wales 2013

[romi]

Hi Steve,

Very interesting results....

I once made a similar research for observable nights in Mizpe Ramon (Israel), where

my observatory is located.

My survey was less informative than yours but the results pointed on somthing

like 280 nights with clear skies and 50% of the rest where one could observe more than

2-3 Hrs (still observable though).

Are you aware of a global statistics?

Best

Romi

[stevetynant]

Hi Romi - thanks no I'm not aware of any global statistics though in S Wales we can only dream of getting the same chance to observe that you have had in Israel - Wales is surely one of the wettest places on the planet lol. I just kicked this off to see if the observable chances we had were anywhere near as bad as we thought anecdotally - and as you can see by the guesstimates we all made back in January last year I don't think anyone was expecting nearly a 40% return - its a shame December is dragging down the average right at the end of the year. I'm not sure whether to persevere with the diary next year- I guess it would be interesting to know if 2013 was an unusual year in any respect - it certainly turned out a lot better than I could have hoped for at the outset  - anyhows lets bring everything back up to date again though as Nathan points out I think its downhill all the way to January from here but we live in hope.

Day  355  21st December  2013   Observable nights  2013   137 / 355  38.59%__________ High point at 43.09% 3rd Sept 2013

January   13 Observable nights____3_____ 9.67%
February 13 Observable nights __ 14 ____50.00%_____   
March 13   Observable nights____ 11___ 35.48 %
April 13 Observable nights_______14____35.00 %
May 13 Observable nights_______ 13____41.94%
June 13 Observable nights______12____40.00%
July 13 Observable nights_______19 ___61.29%________Number 1 month for 2013
Aug 13 Observable nights_______17____54.83%
Sep 13 Observable nights________9_____33.3%
Oct 13 Observable nights________9______29.03%
Nov 13 Observable nights________11____36.67%_

Dec 13 Observable nights_______5

Rain during day   173/355_____ Snow during day  29/355 

Consecutive Non Observable nights  2 (starting  20 Dec 2013)____ Record  Consecutive Non Observable Nights   9   (18th to 26th March 2013) 
Consecutive Observable nights___   x  (starting  x Dec 2013)_    Record  Consecutive Observable Nights_____9   (29 Mar to 6 Apr 2013) 

Group Observing Session planned (inc 7 Dec 13)  17   Group Observing Session Cancelled  11  64.7% cancelled   (Weather related only)  

Lowest Temperature recorded during   2013__   - 5.2 C ___24th  Jan  2013 20:00  
Highest Temperature recorded during  2013 ___ 31.2 C ___7th July 2013  08.00

Astro Panel - Hard to believe but A/Panel is showing a chance from 9pm on Sunday night

 

Personal Observing sessions - 14  

Predictions for observable nights 2013   (Currently at   38.59 %)

Stevetynant  15%, Garethmob 17%, Stuy 15.9%, Astro Joe 19%,  Mr Flibble 12.6%, Texas Pete 16.16%, L8-Nite  13.7%, Lenny 147  10.96% , Rhys Hardwick_16.44%, SparkyJon 8.22 %

 

Well fingers crossed for at least one cracking night over the festive season we can all get out and marvel overhead. 

[stevetynant]

Day  358  24th December  2013   Observable nights  2013   137 / 358  38.27%__________ High point at 43.09% 3rd Sept 2013

January   13 Observable nights____3_____ 9.67%
February 13 Observable nights __ 14 ____50.00%_____   
March 13   Observable nights____ 11___ 35.48 %
April 13 Observable nights_______14____35.00 %
May 13 Observable nights_______ 13____41.94%
June 13 Observable nights______12____40.00%
July 13 Observable nights_______19 ___61.29%________Number 1 month for 2013
Aug 13 Observable nights_______17____54.83%
Sep 13 Observable nights________9_____33.3%
Oct 13 Observable nights________9______29.03%
Nov 13 Observable nights________11____36.67%_

Dec 13 Observable nights_______5

Rain during day   176/358_____ Snow during day  30/358 

Consecutive Non Observable nights  5 (starting  20 Dec 2013)____ Record  Consecutive Non Observable Nights   9   (18th to 26th March 2013) 
Consecutive Observable nights___   x  (starting  x Dec 2013)_    Record  Consecutive Observable Nights_____9   (29 Mar to 6 Apr 2013) 

Group Observing Session planned (inc 7 Dec 13)  17   Group Observing Session Cancelled  11  64.7% cancelled   (Weather related only)  

Lowest Temperature recorded during   2013__   - 5.2 C ___24th  Jan  2013 20:00  
Highest Temperature recorded during  2013 ___ 31.2 C ___7th July 2013  08.00

Astro Panel - Hard to believe but A/Panel is showing another chance on Christmas Night

 

Personal Observing sessions - 14  

Predictions for observable nights 2013   (Currently at   38.26 %)

Stevetynant  15%, Garethmob 17%, Stuy 15.9%, Astro Joe 19%,  Mr Flibble 12.6%, Texas Pete 16.16%, L8-Nite  13.7%, Lenny 147  10.96% , Rhys Hardwick_16.44%, SparkyJon 8.22 %

 

This weather is as bad as it gets- saw my first real snow in this part of the world today whilst walking the dog---but Christmas day night looks like a chance to get your new toys out if you can hold back on the brandy in the afternoon - have a good one everyone. :0)

[stevetynant]

I may have been too early discounting Christmas eve as a non event .it wss actually beautifully clear at about10pm .

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[stevetynant]

I'm adjusting Christmas Eve as I did it quite early but it turned out to be a beautiful night for those with enough time to take advantage

 

Day  358  24th December  2013   Observable nights  2013   138 / 358  38.27%__________ High point at 43.09% 3rd Sept 2013

January   13 Observable nights____3_____ 9.67%
February 13 Observable nights __ 14 ____50.00%_____   
March 13   Observable nights____ 11___ 35.48 %
April 13 Observable nights_______14____35.00 %
May 13 Observable nights_______ 13____41.94%
June 13 Observable nights______12____40.00%
July 13 Observable nights_______19 ___61.29%________Number 1 month for 2013
Aug 13 Observable nights_______17____54.83%
Sep 13 Observable nights________9_____33.3%
Oct 13 Observable nights________9______29.03%
Nov 13 Observable nights________11____36.67%_

Dec 13 Observable nights_______6

Rain during day   176/358_____ Snow during day  30/358 

Consecutive Non Observable nights  x (starting  x Dec 2013)____ Record  Consecutive Non Observable Nights   9   (18th to 26th March 2013) 
Consecutive Observable nights___   1  (starting 24 Dec 2013)_    Record  Consecutive Observable Nights_____9   (29 Mar to 6 Apr 2013) 

Group Observing Session planned (inc 7 Dec 13)  17   Group Observing Session Cancelled  11  64.7% cancelled   (Weather related only)  

Lowest Temperature recorded during   2013__   - 5.2 C ___24th  Jan  2013 20:00  
Highest Temperature recorded during  2013 ___ 31.2 C ___7th July 2013  08.00

Astro Panel - Hard to believe but A/Panel is showing another chance on Christmas Night

 

Personal Observing sessions - 14  

Predictions for observable nights 2013   (Currently at   38.26 %)

Stevetynant  15%, Garethmob 17%, Stuy 15.9%, Astro Joe 19%,  Mr Flibble 12.6%, Texas Pete 16.16%, L8-Nite  13.7%, Lenny 147  10.96% , Rhys Hardwick_16.44%, SparkyJon 8.22 %

[stevetynant]

Day  360  26th December  2013   Observable nights  2013   138 / 360  38.33%__________ High point at 43.09% 3rd Sept 2013

January   13 Observable nights____3_____ 9.67%
February 13 Observable nights __ 14 ____50.00%_____   
March 13   Observable nights____ 11___ 35.48 %
April 13 Observable nights_______14____35.00 %
May 13 Observable nights_______ 13____41.94%
June 13 Observable nights______12____40.00%
July 13 Observable nights_______19 ___61.29%________Number 1 month for 2013
Aug 13 Observable nights_______17____54.83%
Sep 13 Observable nights________9_____33.3%
Oct 13 Observable nights________9______29.03%
Nov 13 Observable nights________11____36.67%_

Dec 13 Observable nights_______6

Rain during day   178/360_____ Snow during day  30/360 

Consecutive Non Observable nights  2 (starting  25 Dec 2013)____ Record  Consecutive Non Observable Nights   9   (18th to 26th March 2013) 
Consecutive Observable nights___   x  (starting x Dec 2013)_    Record  Consecutive Observable Nights_____9   (29 Mar to 6 Apr 2013) 

Group Observing Session planned (inc 7 Dec 13)  17   Group Observing Session Cancelled  11  64.7% cancelled   (Weather related only)  

Lowest Temperature recorded during   2013__   - 5.2 C ___24th  Jan  2013 20:00  
Highest Temperature recorded during  2013 ___ 31.2 C ___7th July 2013  08.00

Astro Panel - Possibility this Saturday night but its pretty much in the balance according to BBC Weather

 

Personal Observing sessions - 14  

Predictions for observable nights 2013   (Currently at   38.33 %)

Stevetynant  15%, Garethmob 17%, Stuy 15.9%, Astro Joe 19%,  Mr Flibble 12.6%, Texas Pete 16.16%, L8-Nite  13.7%, Lenny 147  10.96% , Rhys Hardwick_16.44%, SparkyJon 8.22 %

 

Christmas night was awful if the turkey hadn't weighed everyone down enough but Boxing day morning was clear and crisp - more please

[stevetynant]

Day  361  27th December  2013   Observable nights  2013   138 / 361  38.22%__________ High point at 43.09% 3rd Sept 2013

January   13 Observable nights____3_____ 9.67%
February 13 Observable nights __ 14 ____50.00%_____   
March 13   Observable nights____ 11___ 35.48 %
April 13 Observable nights_______14____35.00 %
May 13 Observable nights_______ 13____41.94%
June 13 Observable nights______12____40.00%
July 13 Observable nights_______19 ___61.29%________Number 1 month for 2013
Aug 13 Observable nights_______17____54.83%
Sep 13 Observable nights________9_____33.3%
Oct 13 Observable nights________9______29.03%
Nov 13 Observable nights________11____36.67%_

Dec 13 Observable nights_______6

Rain during day   179/361_____ Snow during day  30/361 

Consecutive Non Observable nights  3 (starting  25 Dec 2013)____ Record  Consecutive Non Observable Nights   9   (18th to 26th March 2013) 
Consecutive Observable nights___   x  (starting x Dec 2013)_    Record  Consecutive Observable Nights_____9   (29 Mar to 6 Apr 2013) 

Group Observing Session planned (inc 7 Dec 13)  17   Group Observing Session Cancelled  11  64.7% cancelled   (Weather related only)  

Lowest Temperature recorded during   2013__   - 5.2 C ___24th  Jan  2013 20:00  
Highest Temperature recorded during  2013 ___ 31.2 C ___7th July 2013  08.00

Astro Panel - Its looking good tonight folks from about 4pm

 

Personal Observing sessions - 14  

Predictions for observable nights 2013   (Currently at   38.22 %)

Stevetynant  15%, Garethmob 17%, Stuy 15.9%, Astro Joe 19%,  Mr Flibble 12.6%, Texas Pete 16.16%, L8-Nite  13.7%, Lenny 147  10.96% , Rhys Hardwick_16.44%, SparkyJon 8.22 %

 

Looking like a chance to get some fairly rare viewing opportunities today folks

[stevetynant]

Day  364  30th December  2013   Observable nights  2013   140 / 364  38.46%__________ High point at 43.09% 3rd Sept 2013

January   13 Observable nights____3_____ 9.67%
February 13 Observable nights __ 14 ____50.00%_____   
March 13   Observable nights____ 11___ 35.48 %
April 13 Observable nights_______14____35.00 %
May 13 Observable nights_______ 13____41.94%
June 13 Observable nights______12____40.00%
July 13 Observable nights_______19 ___61.29%________Number 1 month for 2013
Aug 13 Observable nights_______17____54.83%
Sep 13 Observable nights________9_____33.3%
Oct 13 Observable nights________9______29.03%
Nov 13 Observable nights________11____36.67%_

Dec 13 Observable nights_______8

Rain during day   181/364_____ Snow during day  30/364 

Consecutive Non Observable nights  x (starting  x Dec 2013)____ Record  Consecutive Non Observable Nights   9   (18th to 26th March 2013) 
Consecutive Observable nights___   1  (starting 30 Dec 2013)_    Record  Consecutive Observable Nights_____9   (29 Mar to 6 Apr 2013) 

Group Observing Session planned (inc 28 Dec 13)  18   Group Observing Session Cancelled  11     61 % cancelled   (Weather related only)  

Lowest Temperature recorded during   2013__   - 5.2 C ___24th  Jan  2013 20:00  
Highest Temperature recorded during  2013 ___ 31.2 C ___7th July 2013  08.00

Astro Panel - not sure whats happening with this as it keeps locking up - forecaste for next few days though is awful

 

Personal Observing sessions - 15  

Predictions for observable nights 2013   (Currently at   38.46 %)

Stevetynant  15%, Garethmob 17%, Stuy 15.9%, Astro Joe 19%,  Mr Flibble 12.6%, Texas Pete 16.16%, L8-Nite  13.7%, Lenny 147  10.96% , Rhys Hardwick_16.44%, SparkyJon 8.22 %

 

Last night was not great- there did seem to be quite some moisture in the air quite unsuprizingly but the stars were bright and the moon was out of sight earlier on in the evening and the way things have been lately that was a big plus.

[Rhys Hardwick]

Well done Steve on keeping this up, I've kept a check on it all year, and it's good to know I can't really blame the weather for not getting out much! As you say, most of us were near the true level!

[Rhys Hardwick]

_not near_

[Mr_Simnock]

One of the most informative threads I've ever come across. Fantastic effort for managing to keep it up all year. It would be interesting to see this done by a few forum members at the same time, say one from north Scotland, one from North England, one from Wales and one from south England. We could then get a very rough idea of how different areas of the country compare for viewable nights.

[stevetynant]

Day  365  31st December  2013   Observable nights  2013   140 / 365  38.35%__________ High point at 43.09% 3rd Sept 2013

January   13 Observable nights____3_____ 9.67%
February 13 Observable nights __ 14 ____50.00%_____   
March 13   Observable nights____ 11___ 35.48 %
April 13 Observable nights_______14____35.00 %
May 13 Observable nights_______ 13____41.94%
June 13 Observable nights______12____40.00%
July 13 Observable nights_______19 ___61.29%________Number 1 month for 2013
Aug 13 Observable nights_______17____54.83%
Sep 13 Observable nights________9_____33.3%
Oct 13 Observable nights________9______29.03%
Nov 13 Observable nights________11____36.67%_

Dec 13 Observable nights_______8_____25.80%

Rain during day   182/365 ___49.86%_____ Snow during day  30/365____8.21% 

Consecutive Non Observable nights  1 (starting  31 Dec 2013)____ Record  Consecutive Non Observable Nights   9   (18th to 26th March 2013) 
Consecutive Observable nights___   x  (starting 31 Dec 2013)___    Record  Consecutive Observable Nights_____9   (29 Mar to 6 Apr 2013) 

Group Observing Session planned (inc 28 Dec 13)  18   Group Observing Session Cancelled  11     61 % cancelled   (Weather related only)  

Lowest Temperature recorded during   2013__   - 5.2 C ___24th  Jan  2013 20:00  
Highest Temperature recorded during  2013 ___ 31.2 C ___7th July 2013  08.00

Astro Panel - seems to be back up to speed again - but still not telling me what I want to see- ie no clouds

 

Personal Observing sessions - 15  

Predictions for observable nights 2013   (Currently at   38.35 %)

Stevetynant  15%, Garethmob 17%, Stuy 15.9%, Astro Joe 19%,  Mr Flibble 12.6%, Texas Pete 16.16%, L8-Nite  13.7%, Lenny 147  10.96% , Rhys Hardwick_16.44%, SparkyJon 8.22 %

 

James confirmed as the most optimistic Observer in Wales during 2013 - nice one

 

Well 2013 ended like it began - dreadful weather but after a slow start the year got better so lets hope for the same next year folks.