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for those who stare up,
sorry I am posting a bunch right now and this one is especially silly. How is the star viewing at night there? Is the sky just packed full of em? I am from Seattle so its crappy here, too many city lights and general light pollution. I would imagine that it would be great there. would be logical, right? Im no scientist but being at a different latitude doesnt affect that kinda stuff right?
I love camping in the pacific NW and always cherished seeing the stars. cant wait to move to STT to be surrounded by all these amazing sights!
Posted : November 9, 2011 9:27 am
As a refugee from suburbia, I can tell you its AMAZING down here.
Too amazing sometimes -as there are so many stars that the constellations are a little harder to see.
The sky is 'tilted' from what I'm used to...being at this latitude things aren't exactly where I expect to see them.
Posted : November 9, 2011 11:02 am
You can regularly see the milky way well enough to distinguish the center . At this latitude you can see both the North star and the Southern Cross. Being near the equator the ecliptic runs nearly overhead so planetary viewing is awesome.
Posted : November 9, 2011 12:03 pm
How folks answer this one will tell you a bit about where they live and what they experienced in the states. On the north shore of STT, I regularly saw 4th magnitude skies - beautiful. That was the norm for me in the states. Here on the west end of STX, the night sky is totally washed out. It's like someone took a giant eraser and wiped out half of the stars. Only the brightest stars are visible.
You'd think that being on a rock this far out in the Atlantic would translate to having incredible night skies but no - not so much. These islands are some kind of lit up and nothing is dark sky compliant. Hugo Hodge of WAPA outright rejected energy efficient, dark sky compliant street lights saying, "more light is a good thing." He was referring to the crime rate.
Posted : November 9, 2011 1:09 pm
in my opinion the night sky on my porch here in stx is akin to walking onto the bow of a cruiseboat and looking up at a blanket of stars. it is breathtaking.
Posted : November 9, 2011 1:33 pm
Ok, I am sort of bragging here - wait until you try it anchored out alone off shore St. John. WOW!
Posted : November 9, 2011 1:57 pm
@Aussie, I agree that the west end isnt ideal for viewing. All that island moisture that accumulates as the winds travel along the spine of the island create a layer of water vapor that makes your vegetation so lush and beautiful, but stargazing suffers unless you're up above 400' or more. I'm at 400' on the east end and the stars are heavenly 😉
Posted : November 9, 2011 10:28 pm
@Aussie, I agree that the west end isnt ideal for viewing. All that island moisture that accumulates as the winds travel along the spine of the island create a layer of water vapor that makes your vegetation so lush and beautiful, but stargazing suffers unless you're up above 400' or more. I'm at 400' on the east end and the stars are heavenly 😉
I am so envious! 🙂
Posted : November 9, 2011 10:32 pm
Topic starter
omg omg omg. sounds so great. I long for quiet nights with the milky way!
Posted : November 9, 2011 10:41 pm
I just saw the ISS pass by ... the night sky is AWESOME here!
Posted : November 9, 2011 10:45 pm
I saw it too...it was like a bloated, lethargic shooting star. loved it!
Posted : November 10, 2011 12:39 am
Ok, I am sort of bragging here - wait until you try it anchored out alone off shore St. John. WOW!
when's the boat party??? i'll bring some chips and queso!
Posted : November 10, 2011 12:41 am
Shibuya, that almost sounds like a plan. I have a live aboard Captain now. Maybe we can have a VINOW get together after Thanksgiving if the boat is not on charter. Let me work on that idea.
And Aussie, I live at 868' on the north-east side of STT. The view is incredible!
Pamela
Posted : November 10, 2011 6:41 am
Shibuya, that almost sounds like a plan. I have a live aboard Captain now. Maybe we can have a VINOW get together after Thanksgiving if the boat is not on charter. Let me work on that idea.
And Aussie, I live at 868' on the north-east side of STT. The view is incredible!
Pamela
Good morning Pamela
Yup. I lived on the north shore of STT and the night sky is quite nice. Even there, the hillsides are lit up like Christmas trees. I guess it's all relative to what you're familiar with. I lived at a higher elevation in rural VA and forth magnitude skies have been the norm for me.
If ya wanna see something really special, set your way back machine for the NC Outer Banks in the late 60's and early 70's - 5th magnitude skies bordering on 6th! Truly magnificent!
Posted : November 10, 2011 1:15 pm
I moved here about 8 months ago from Boston, I am amazed at the clarity of the stars here. Of course in the city it's hard to get past the constant bright lights but here I can just step out of my house and look up. It takes my breath away.
Posted : November 10, 2011 1:25 pm
I had to get an app for my stupid phone so I would know what the heck I was looking at. And Swann's postings are nice for a head's up on what new or unusual stuff I might see, too.
Posted : November 11, 2011 2:57 pm
http://www.space.com/17177-saturn-mars-patriotic-night-sky-triangle.html
For our stargazers, tonight - Monday - an interesting star configuration for your starwatching pleasure The term "stars" is used loosely, as Saturn is also in the mix. 😀
Enjoy,
Swan
Posted : August 20, 2012 7:16 am
Where is my "like" button!?
Having come from CA, I can happily say, the night sky here is awesome. I have no idea what I'm looking at half the time, but it's pretty.
Posted : August 20, 2012 10:54 am
