W/C 27th January

[swamp thing]

Hi All

Been a bit busy of late I hope you are all well. Anyone up for some observing next week?

[Rustysplit]

Hi Steve,

I am certainly up for some. We must be due some clear stuff soon??

[Tiny Small]

I'm up for popping along to say hello and rush about trying to get my scope back in the car when it tips down.

[hobsey]

Yep, I am.

[hobsey]

Lets hope for clear skies next week so we can met up as I'm seriously thinking about jacking it in.

[swamp thing]

It has been a bit naff recently hasn't it. I've a good feeling about next wek though. I have some early starts so it's bound to be good.

TBH I don't even care, if its clear I'm out there

[Woking]

I'm in, will struggle to make Tues though

[hobsey]

Looking at the weather, I think its going to be an end of the week session.

[Rustysplit]

You might be right Anthony, but the way the weather is at the mo, it could just as likely be clear at any point. Take last night and saturday eve, pouring with rain and blowing a gale all day, then periods of some of the clearest, crispest skies I have seen for a while. Did not get to use them though as working late and too knackered

[Rustysplit]

What did I just say, clear as a bell out their now

[hobsey]

I know, just been out the back of the flats with the ST80 on camera tripod and seen the Orion nebula for the very first time.

[Rustysplit]

Well done mate. Sometimes the quick sessions are really worth it. I just managed an hour with the 14" before the cloud returned. Watched the GRS on Jupiter move across a bit. Seeing was very good after the scope cooled.

[jam1e1]

Agree it's more about chance periods and getting out in patches of clear skies lately, rather than whole evening out lately! Prob is by time get motivation to get scope out (assuming not had a drink!) it clouds over! Has been v clear in between patches, though not long enough. Had the eqaz6 out couple times recently, first time in about 6m. Hoping for some clearer skies

[hobsey]

Not looking too good at all this week. 

[Astro_Baby]

Long time no see - I have pretty much abandoned astro - last year I kept a calendar of weather to see whether it was really as bad as I thought - it was worse.

There were only 14 clear nights, only 9 of them without a full moon up and of those I was available for a grand total of 4 nights only.  Of those I went twice and both times the sky was murky an d viewing was not great.  Thanks to staff sickness at work I didnt even get away for a camping break so the fact is my gear sat in the flat and got used twice all year !!!

By comparison last year with clear weather during the day I was able to have perfect weather for rocket launches and managed to get more launches off in a month than I did observing for a whole three years the rocketry has rather taken over as my main hobby and astro has been relegated to a back burner.  Shame as I have a Pentax XW 30mm which has yet to come out of its box plus the 32mm Ex Sc super wide which similarly has yet to have a run.

I wont be selling my stuff off but the hard fact is I just cant be bothered with astro anymore - its too much hope and nowehere near enough reward - I find myself too knacked after a day at work to even think about lugging stuff about to stand around in the cold anymore.

I may make an effort this year but I am not hopeful so far and to be honest I think for me the thrill is gone now - too much disappointment has rather killed the hobby off for me.

I will wish you all clear skies though.

Mel

[Rustysplit]

That is a real shame Mel. I was looking forward to meeting you after all the great help you gave me with my eq6. I can understand your reasons though. It sure has been testing off late. Glad to hear that you are keeping your gear though. Must mean that that you have not fully given up hope. You just need one cracking eve to bring all the enthusiasm flooding back. I suggest grinding a mirror and building a scope, astro when it's cloudy!!

[hobsey]

I know the feeling Mel.

I've only been into it for a few months, spent far amount of money and thinking about giving in already and taking up a hobby that doesn't involve going outside.

[PeterW]

Hang in there, can't believe the sky can hold much more rain! Shocked and dazzled by the sun today.... I need to brave the cold as if I don't have a go imaging Jupiter soon i will have lost another years opportunity.

Peter

[Astro_Baby]

Well the prob is every year its gotten worse - every year people say it will get better but I am not seeing it at all - its just gotten worse and worse.  I wont sell the kit but its pretty much just hanger queening now as all my resource in time goes into rocketry.

We would have to have some serious clear sky for me to be bothered now - thats two years running I have missed Orion - I mean for Gods sake if you cant even get to see Orion in Winter then whats the point ? See what I mean.  Maybe it will clear up and maybe it wont but for me its pretty much academic these days.  If its clear and I have nothing better to do I will haul the gear out  - thats about where it sits now - somewhere between watching paint dry and re-runs of Crossroads

[hobsey]

Showing mostly clear tonight, anyone heading up to ranmoor?

[swamp thing]

If it's clear I might head down to the dark site at Bignor hill, I'll post if going.

[hobsey]

Oh, don't know where that is. If you go PM me the location and I will see if I can join you.

[swamp thing]

No probs I'll send you the location anyway ant

[hobsey]

Hi Steve, think I will give bignor a miss this evening. Bit far for me on a school night.

Looked at the site on google street with the co-ordinates you gave me and looks like a lovely spot with all round views.

Hopefully will be a friday or saturday night next time.

[swamp thing]

No probs ant.

I'm heading down if it clears up.

Guess that's a big IF considering the weather of late