M48/NGC 2548 - Great seeing but poor transparency

Dear group,

The skies finally cleared last night for the first time in about three
weeks. With 92% humidity, the seeing was exceptional for this time of
the year ranging from 1.8-1.9" (FWHM) at the start of the session and
which was down to 1.52" a few hours thereafter. However, the
transparency was poor and partially impacted the net result.

The open cluster M48 in Hydra is most impressive and I am disappointed
the poor transparency did not permit for an even better result. For
those interested, the result is available at
http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-NGC-2548.htm .

Clear skies!

Anthony.

Anthony Ayiomamitis wrote:

Dear group,

The skies finally cleared last night for the first time in about three
weeks. With 92% humidity, the seeing was exceptional for this time of
the year ranging from 1.8-1.9" (FWHM) at the start of the session and
which was down to 1.52" a few hours thereafter. However, the
transparency was poor and partially impacted the net result.

The open cluster M48 in Hydra is most impressive and I am disappointed
the poor transparency did not permit for an even better result. For
those interested, the result is available at
http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-NGC-2548.htm .

Clear skies!

Nice pic. It's just not fair that I can't get them like that!

The viewing of late has been appalling hasn't it? I got a new 150mm Dob
last week, and my 105mm Mak arrived yesterday. I reckon I've got about 2
hours viewing in the last two weeks.

--
Andy Hewitt
http://web.mac.com/andrewhewitt1/

Andy Hewitt wrote:
Anthony Ayiomamitis wrote:


Dear group,

The skies finally cleared last night for the first time in about three
weeks. With 92% humidity, the seeing was exceptional for this time of
the year ranging from 1.8-1.9" (FWHM) at the start of the session and
which was down to 1.52" a few hours thereafter. However, the
transparency was poor and partially impacted the net result.

The open cluster M48 in Hydra is most impressive and I am disappointed
the poor transparency did not permit for an even better result. For
those interested, the result is available at
http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-NGC-2548.htm .

Clear skies!



Hi Andy,

Nice pic. It's just not fair that I can't get them like that!

I have produced much better results under better transparency.


The viewing of late has been appalling hasn't it? I got a new 150mm Dob
last week, and my 105mm Mak arrived yesterday. I reckon I've got about 2
hours viewing in the last two weeks.


It seems every winter is worse than the previous one. This winter in
particular has been very atypical for us in the southeastern
Mediterranean who usually enjoy very good weather year-round.

Anthony.

Anthony Ayiomamitis wrote:

Hi Andy,

Hi Anthony

Nice pic. It's just not fair that I can't get them like that!

I have produced much better results under better transparency.

Indeed, I just know I haven't the equipment to start with anyway.

The viewing of late has been appalling hasn't it? I got a new 150mm Dob
last week, and my 105mm Mak arrived yesterday. I reckon I've got about 2
hours viewing in the last two weeks.


It seems every winter is worse than the previous one. This winter in
particular has been very atypical for us in the southeastern
Mediterranean who usually enjoy very good weather year-round.

That's more worrying than ever, I'm actually replying in the uk.s.a.
group, and posting from the north east of England. Doesn't hold much
hope for us here if you can't get a clear sky down there :-(

--
Andy Hewitt
http://web.mac.com/andrewhewitt1/

On Feb 22, 12:04 pm, Anthony Ayiomamitis
wrote:
Dear group,

The skies finally cleared last night for the first time in about three
weeks. With 92% humidity, the seeing was exceptional for this time of
the year ranging from 1.8-1.9" (FWHM) at the start of the session and
which was down to 1.52" a few hours thereafter. However, the
transparency was poor and partially impacted the net result.

The open cluster M48 in Hydra is most impressive and I am disappointed
the poor transparency did not permit for an even better result. For
those interested, the result is available athttp://www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-NGC-2548.htm.

Clear skies!

Anthony.

Hi Anthony:

Nice shot. I was conincidentally looking at M93 last night myself with
my little Meade ETX 125. While we've had at least some clear weather
down here on the U.S. Gulf Coast, last night was like yours, clear but
poor transparency.

Unk Rod

Great shot. I'd like to see more.

Thanks,.

Errol
www.pasnola.org

RMOLLISE wrote:
On Feb 22, 12:04 pm, Anthony Ayiomamitis
wrote:

Dear group,

The skies finally cleared last night for the first time in about three
weeks. With 92% humidity, the seeing was exceptional for this time of
the year ranging from 1.8-1.9" (FWHM) at the start of the session and
which was down to 1.52" a few hours thereafter. However, the
transparency was poor and partially impacted the net result.

The open cluster M48 in Hydra is most impressive and I am disappointed
the poor transparency did not permit for an even better result. For
those interested, the result is available athttp://www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-NGC-2548.htm.

Clear skies!

Anthony.


Hi Anthony:

Hi Rod,


Nice shot. I was conincidentally looking at M93 last night myself with
my little Meade ETX 125. While we've had at least some clear weather
down here on the U.S. Gulf Coast, last night was like yours, clear but
poor transparency.

In fact M93 is one of my immediate targets during the next imaging
opportunity as I am close to completing the imaging of all current
seasonal open clusters.

Anthony.


Unk Rod

I reckon in the 6 weeks of owning my new scope, I have managed to get out
about 6 times.......not sure how to 'measure' transparency, clearness, etc
but suffice to say IMHO the skies have been pretty awful and even when I can
see stars theres that high level alto and cirro stratus which is just great
combined with LP.......I am glad I didnt break the bank and get a SCT on
credit........with the amount of use it wouldve got I would be feeling
pretty bad with a young family to spend my hard earned £s on.......

Still I hold out hope that soon I will be able to get a cloud free night sky
and drive to the Highlands of Scotland for some perfect dark skies......or
even just up the road to northern Angus for some 'almost' dark skies

--
M
------
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security
will deserve neither and lose both."
[Benjamin Franklin]

"War is delightful to those who have had no experience of it."
[Erasmus]

"A collision at sea can ruin your entire day."
[Thucydides]

"Andy Hewitt" wrote in message
news:1htyh47.1out64zl7rnhoN%wildrover.andy@googlem ail.com...
Anthony Ayiomamitis wrote:

Hi Andy,

Hi Anthony

Nice pic. It's just not fair that I can't get them like that!

I have produced much better results under better transparency.

Indeed, I just know I haven't the equipment to start with anyway.

The viewing of late has been appalling hasn't it? I got a new 150mm Dob
last week, and my 105mm Mak arrived yesterday. I reckon I've got about
2
hours viewing in the last two weeks.


It seems every winter is worse than the previous one. This winter in
particular has been very atypical for us in the southeastern
Mediterranean who usually enjoy very good weather year-round.

That's more worrying than ever, I'm actually replying in the uk.s.a.
group, and posting from the north east of England. Doesn't hold much
hope for us here if you can't get a clear sky down there :-(

--
Andy Hewitt
http://web.mac.com/andrewhewitt1/

Starboard wrote:

Great shot. I'd like to see more.

Go wild: http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-Clust-Open.htm ... one or two
of the images are very bad due to bad seeing and will be reimaged during
the first available opportunity.


Thanks,.

Me too.

Anthony.


Errol
www.pasnola.org

M wrote:

I reckon in the 6 weeks of owning my new scope, I have managed to get out
about 6 times.......not sure how to 'measure' transparency, clearness, etc
but suffice to say IMHO the skies have been pretty awful and even when I can
see stars theres that high level alto and cirro stratus which is just great
combined with LP.......I am glad I didnt break the bank and get a SCT on
credit........with the amount of use it wouldve got I would be feeling
pretty bad with a young family to spend my hard earned £s on.......

Still I hold out hope that soon I will be able to get a cloud free night sky
and drive to the Highlands of Scotland for some perfect dark skies......or
even just up the road to northern Angus for some 'almost' dark skies


Spring and summer are not too far away. Patience as usual.

My primary concern is next weekend and the red object which will grace
the sky for about 75 minutes. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the
weather will do us a (huge) favour.

Anthony.