Guest nickyb Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Hi, New to the forum, new to visual astronomy (but not to the theoretical physics part!). I'm interested to hear from members how often in a week they might observer (weather permitting of course). One thing that always was a downer for me was getting up early, like 4am to do some observing. I'm happy to stay up late, but getting up, especially in the dead of winter, freezing temperatures was never appealing. Just curious what other members observing habits are? Cheers Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kheldar Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 If it's clear on a Friday or Saturday (even if just for a few hours) I will endeavour to be at a dark site. If there's a good night in the week I might set the rig up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 If it's clear and I'm not knackered I get a scope out and have a prod around the sky. Recently I've probably averaged 2-3 times per week - but that's down to new gear fever lol. Normally once a week would be a fair estimate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Not as often as I'd like... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 If it is clear and it is Sunday to Thursday then I set up whenever I can in the back garden (if clear after 23:00 then I don't bother mid week but I will stay out until the small hours if I have been set up prior to 23:00). Friday + Saturday nights and it's clear then somebody normally sticks a meet thread up and we go the one of the dark sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toymaster Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 As a newbie not enough.. The more interested I get the worse the weather it seems right now, but as I'm retired late nights are no problem as long as I have not fallen asleep in front of the TV :-) Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nickyb Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 thanks for the great feedback on observing. I think I will be okay up to around 2.00am, but I don't think I could do twilight stints, unless I also have some form of CCD camera rigged up. As yet I don't have a scope, but awaiting to get a 115m F7 ED from altair when the new model comes in to stock! Clear skies, Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CodnorPaul Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 You say that but it is surprising when you get into it that you lose all sense of time, especially when you know you don't have to get up in the morning - you might find the only thing stopping you is the rising sun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nickyb Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 You say that but it is surprising when you get into it that you lose all sense of time, especially when you know you don't have to get up in the morning - you might find the only thing stopping you is the rising sun Good point Paul, that is what I'm afraid of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stovesy Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Not for ages it seems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest speed Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 If it's clear as often as I can ...only takes a few mins to set up so most nights even if it's just for an hour or so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teslar Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I work away from home so time is precious at weekends. However if it's clear on a Friday or Saturdays I'll set the scope up in hope. However family harmony dictates I need to miss some of the few clear weekends we get Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cazz Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Not often enough, as we don't have a garden, home observing is out of the question and means we're dependant on the dark sites, so we usually tie a visit to the dogs trust with the ww dark site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T A WOW Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Working 12 hour shifts, so not that often at the mo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I work nights now so not often at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nickyb Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I work nights now so not often at all. thank chaps...sorry some of you work late shifts though. I guess in an ideal world solar observing also would be a good thing maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest foundaplanet Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Not as much as I could lately with work and living on my own life is a bit bonkers especially when you add a four legged friend that needs walks. But I am planning to move so I have a better garden which should hopefully mean I can add an obsy and make it all easy or at least easier. Desperate to become an apprentice to Darth Vader.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I have to get up early week days, and have leisure centre with two five-a-side pitch's 500m away, so it don't happen much in the week. But if Iam able to I get to a meet and stay as long as I can to make the most of it. There's a good few of us on here with knackered backs, so health is a problem sometimes as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 There's a good few of us on here with knackered backs, so health is a problem sometimes as well. Some of us are just too knackered . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 .......not as often as i'd like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 If you have time, you can read though my blog: http://sungazer127mak.blogspot.fr/ I aim to check the sunspots, at least once per day. My preferred method is photography but conditions and a busy day job often mean I'm more likely to check them in filtered binoculars and I draw the approximate sizes and positions using Powerpoint. At night my main aim is to get a full disc shot of the Moon but quite often the clear spells co-incide with family activities, such as mealtimes. On moonless evenings, I usually try a constellation shot or few with my DSLR but will sometimes aim for deep sky objects. While taking constellation shots, I sometimes multi-task and have a look with my binoculars at the brighter deep sky objects. At weekends, I will often have longer sessions that include solar close-ups or hydrogen alpha shots in daylight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 either friday or saturday at darksite if it is likely to be remotely clear and at home any other time i can find the time to get out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nickyb Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 If you have time, you can read though my blog: http://sungazer127mak.blogspot.fr/ I aim to check the sunspots, at least once per day. My preferred method is photography but conditions and a busy day job often mean I'm more likely to check them in filtered binoculars and I draw the approximate sizes and positions using Powerpoint. At night my main aim is to get a full disc shot of the Moon but quite often the clear spells co-incide with family activities, such as mealtimes. On moonless evenings, I usually try a constellation shot or few with my DSLR but will sometimes aim for deep sky objects. While taking constellation shots, I sometimes multi-task and have a look with my binoculars at the brighter deep sky objects. At weekends, I will often have longer sessions that include solar close-ups or hydrogen alpha shots in daylight. Hi, Thanks for the post. I'll keep an eye on your blog. Mostly I work from home, I live in a small village and its pretty dark, we have a large garden. But currently I have no scope etc, awaiting for a new 115mm frac when it gets built. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fwm891 Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hi Nick, Not a visual observer, imaging only (can't quite remember when I last 'looked' through an eyepiece. Imaging wise as often as possible at whatever time I can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Ever since I converted my shed into a 'warm room' it's been cloudy all but 2 nights!! I was imaging on both of them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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