Damn! How many others have had this?

[Greyhound]

We just had our very first and brand new scope arrive this morning.

It was eagerly unpacked and set up. I then read the instructions and set it up correctly! Loaded software onto PC, and we have been viewing what was going to be out there tonight and now it's raining cats and dogs, blanket cloud and not any forseeable let up tonight! Gutted or what...

On a brighter note it looks like clearer skies around here tomorrow though.

[starstalker]

never heard of this before usually a new scope means crystal clear skies for at least a month, u must be unlucky!! lol

[Photosbykev]

never heard of this before usually a new scope means crystal clear skies for at least a month, u must be unlucky!! lol

"WAKE UP you must be dreaming"

[northernlad]

How many others have had this?

I'd guess all of us, and it's not limited to a new 'scope - it's ANY new bit of kit.

[pete_l]

When you buy a telescope you should always buy an umbrella at the same time. The theory is that Murphy gets too confused: what to do? rain (but then the umbrella gets used) or shine (in which case the telescope does). Although what happens in practice is sunshine during the day and cloudy skies all night - you can't win.

[Breakintheclouds]

New telescopes come packed in cloud to protect them in transit. Opening the box releases the clouds into the atmosphere, where they hang around for at least a week.

[SeedyF]

Thanks for warning us - jeez, talk about just think of yourself

[Jdavies]

That happened to me for two months

thats gutted

[markarian]

Unbelievably - it's usually the opposite for me. On the last 3 occasions I've bought a new scope, it was clear that very night.

Now here is what I need you to do: IF you want unlimited clear nights from now on, YOU have to persuade my wife to allow me to buy large amounts of astronomical equipment, and then there will be clear nights

Disclaimer: Past performance is not a guide to future returns.

[Jdavies]

then you are the luciest sod in the wolrd lol

[Jdavies]

as i said three months without a clear night, i wish i had your luck

[markarian]

The downside is: I live in Scotland so when I DON'T buy any new equipment I have cloudy skies

[Astro_Baby]

Cheer up - in about 6 months you may get to use it

[PortableAstronomer]

The weatherman (errm, sorry weather person of diverse gender, background, ethnicity etc...) should just tell us regions where there have been most astro equipment purchases in the previous few days, then put black rainclouds over those regions on the map.

[Tim]

I just KNEW somebody had gone and bought new kit.

Yesterday, brilliant clear skies all day.

Today, nothing but rain and grim grim grim.

Thanks. Thanks a lot!

- You'd better get used to it

[Moonshane]

How many others have had this?

I'd guess all of us, and it's not limited to a new 'scope - it's ANY new bit of kit.

the problem is that all manufacturers fill their carriage boxes with clouds to reduce the risk of damage in transit - they cannot be seen but instantly escape into the atmosphere as you open the box.

[Quatermass]

Top tip get a big fishing brolly and a sea fishing tripod to put it in. I use it all the time and when it rains I can still carry on with out getting soaked or just leave the telescope up under the 52 inch brolly. Using a 3 legged sea fishing rod tripod gives you the height you need to adjust the brolly to any position. The sea fishing tripod I got for about 15 quid and the brolly you can get for about the same cheap ones all you need. Also the clouds know when you have bought new gear and will gather over your observing sight for weeks.

[Breakintheclouds]

Recently, I've found the weather works like this in the evenings:

HAVE I GOT A LONG-STANDING SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT THAT I CAN'T GET OUT OF?

NO: Dense, dense cloud

YES: Crystal clear, steady, moonless skies

[SeedyF]

The weatherman (errm, sorry weather person of diverse gender, background, ethnicity etc...) should just tell us regions where there have been most astro equipment purchases in the previous few days, then put black rainclouds over those regions on the map.

[Greyhound]

Top tip get a big fishing brolly and a sea fishing tripod to put it in. I use it all the time and when it rains I can still carry on with out getting soaked or just leave the telescope up under the 52 inch brolly. Using a 3 legged sea fishing rod tripod gives you the height you need to adjust the brolly to any position. The sea fishing tripod I got for about 15 quid and the brolly you can get for about the same cheap ones all you need. Also the clouds know when you have bought new gear and will gather over your observing sight for weeks.

Thanks for that idea! Actually I have the lot, as I have both 'Coarse' and 'Sea' fishing set up's. That is what got me into the night sky so much, as over the years standing out on the beach if I was on a night tide, waiting for something to happen and just looking up, I missed a few fish doing that too! But it was worth it sometimes. To all those who were clouded over last night, I apologise, as it was obviously my fault for setting up the new scope!

[ronin]

When you buy a telescope you should always buy an umbrella at the same time. The theory is that Murphy gets too confused: what to do? rain (but then the umbrella gets used) or shine (in which case the telescope does). Although what happens in practice is sunshine during the day and cloudy skies all night - you can't win.

Fog!

[Aussie]

Same thing for me, gladly it only lasted one day.

[GrantEb]

happens everytime for me!

[Mr Spock]

I knew someone was responsible for the cloudy skies

[John Beale]

I recently bought an 8" Celestron and when it came in the skys were clear for several days.Just lucky I guess. Jupiter looks awesome. I can only dream of a 14-20" scope.