Humidity, history, chemistry, and panic

[sovay]

We got our 25-year-old 6-inch f/8 Russian-made Newtonian reflector working again in time for Jupiter-rise and it's raining. It was gorgeously clear into the evening, with only the most photogenic clouds à la Maxfield Parrish. I am trying not to take it personally.

Comments

[muccamukk]

Oh, nice picture!

Jupiter will be *almost* this close for the whole week, so maybe you'll get a look a bit later. It's been really great in the evening sky here all month.

[sovay]

Oh, nice picture!

My father took it! I believe I was taking this picture at the time:



As opposed to this one, which had much better water but doesn't match the angle:



It's been really great in the evening sky here all month.

I'm starting to feel stupid for not just taking the binoculars out earlier. Next clear night!

[muccamukk]

Then right after I said that (like RIGHT AFTER) it socked in, and I haven't seen the sky since, lol.

Both of your pictures are also lovely. Look at that still water.

[sovay]

Then right after I said that (like RIGHT AFTER) it socked in, and I haven't seen the sky since, lol.

Naturally!

Both of your pictures are also lovely. Look at that still water.

Thank you. I love mirror-skies.

[selkie]

You did see something orange. And fluffy.

[sovay]

You did see something orange. And fluffy.

Her belly may be as dangerous as the Great Red Spot.

[nineweaving]

Shove over, Maxfield Parrish! I hope you get some spectacular viewing of Jupiter.

Nine

[sovay]

Shove over, Maxfield Parrish! I hope you get some spectacular viewing of Jupiter.

Thank you! Tomorrow night is supposed to be clear (although tonight was, too).

[sartorias]

Lovely autumnal photo!

[sovay]

Lovely autumnal photo!

My father's! He has become proficient at skies. He sends me seascapes from the Cape.

MP

[lauradi7dw]

Saw this on twitter
https://mobile.twitter.com/kjvellturo/status/1574527879370756113/photo/1

Re: MP

[sovay]

Saw this on twitter

Seriously!

[minoanmiss]

Oh my wow what an awesome telescope!

[sovay]

Oh my wow what an awesome telescope!

I think it was the one we had in time for Hale–Bopp. It had been semi-out of commission for years after the clock drive broke down, but my father worked to repair it, which involved a surprising amount of machining—it was the same problem described in this contemporary review in Sky & Telescope, but we couldn't just send away to Sovietski for a replacement motor.

[cmcmck]

There's a lot to be said for old Soviet optics. I still have a couple of old Zenit SLR cameras and they still take a darn good shot.

[sovay]

I still have a couple of old Zenit SLR cameras and they still take a darn good shot.

The lenses held up beautifully! The drive motor what was had gone.

[asakiyume]

That sky wants to lift you right up into it!

Maybe tonight will be clear? Fingers crossed.

[sovay]

That sky wants to lift you right up into it!

Flight vs. gills: a tough choice.

(I am inclined to choose gills on instinct, but travel is so complicated these days, flight might be worth it.)

Maybe tonight will be clear? Fingers crossed.

Thank you!