What scale do you use for Seeing / Transparence?

[N3ptune]

Hello, I’d like to define today which scale to use for seeing and transparency of the sky.

For instance the following web site: http://seeing.cleardarksky.com/c/Montrealkey.html?1

It will annotate transparency like that:

Too cloudy to forecast

Poor

Below Average

Average

Above average

Transparent

And seeing like that: 

Too cloudy to forecast

Bad 1/5

Poor 2/5

Average 3/5

Good 4/5

Excellent 5/5

Should I use that system has the universal system or maybe there are other available options?

Thanks.

[rockystar]

this is a guide that I've had for a while:

14 Seeing and Transparency.pdf

seems that "seeing" is pretty well defined, but there are a couple of scales for transparency

[N3ptune]

Thanks for the document Rockystar, for transparency there is a scale with 7 grades there that's interesting.

Ill take a look at the report and sketch sections to examine what people are using.. I am being lazy right now asking without looking first (:

[elliot]

From the PDF I've been using the first Seeing scale and the AAAA Transparency Scale. I like how you don't need to make judgement calls with the Transparency scale...you just need to count stars.

[ollypenrice]

Lots of people use Sky Quality Meters for transparency and LP levels.

http://www.unihedron.com/projects/darksky/

The given values have become a kind of universal currency these days.

Olly

 

[N3ptune]

On 7/21/2017 at 03:56, elliot said:

From the PDF I've been using the first Seeing scale and the AAAA Transparency Scale. I like how you don't need to make judgement calls with the Transparency scale...you just need to count stars.

Do you use a specific set of stars for each seasons? Is it possible for me to look at this PDF of yours, if it's a free one.

 

On 7/21/2017 at 08:01, ollypenrice said:

Lots of people use Sky Quality Meters for transparency and LP levels.

http://www.unihedron.com/projects/darksky/

The given values have become a kind of universal currency these days.

Olly

 

Ah yes, I know this device, the sky quality meter. But I want to stick with rough estimations, I just feel it's not vital enough for me to spend money on, even if it's a very cool device. The total budget I am willing to spend for atmospheric studies is around 0 and 40CAD.

 

[N3ptune]

Ollypenrice, I am truly glad you liked my previous message. I like the minimalist approach, trying not to collect too much things... Otherwise it will never stop.

[elliot]

1 hour ago, N3ptune said:

Do you use a specific set of stars for each seasons?

Little Dippers are the best for this as they're circumpolar and are always there.  The PDF is this one..  14 Seeing and Transparency.pdf

 

 

[rockystar]

that PDF came from here by the way: http://www.astronomylogs.com/pages/resource.html

some good resources on this site, including finder charts for Messier and Herschel 400 objects