heh, yuppie, i wanna see constellations, those clear clear ones..without obstrution and with maximum comfort..
they say beach is nice to see stars..
i stay at bt panjang, sadly too bright here..see nuts!
newbie here
Hi Zoids,
Welcome to Singastro
If you want a list of good observation sites in Singapore, please refer here: http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?p=5836#5836
However, in Singapore, its always a compromise between convenience and seeing. Because of light pollution and cloud cover, the seeing is never that great in dark sites anyway, so a nearby park will usually do. You have to hunt around for your own favourite spot. Good luck!
A good way to start is just with your eyes, but a pair of binos will make it much more enjoyable as you can see much more. (important because in Singapore you can't see much unless its super clear). Expect to pay around $180 for a good pair. There are $40 ones selling in Carrefour that might be worth a try but no guarantees there if it will allow you to see many stars.
As for a telescope, do be patient as it is not a cheap hobby. However, do be encouraged that you can start resonably cheaply. I bought my setup from the states on a sale for around S$600, and beginner setups can be bought from dealers here such as Samuel Ng below $1000. Those of us students on a budget can always find alternatives.
As for weather, the meteorological service does not do a good job of predicting cloud cover. The best bet is this site: http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=1454 that gives a infrared satellite map of the region. But usually we learn to be our weather forecasters. For example today is a really hot day with blue skies and patches of cumulus clouds. If the sky looks like that in the evening time, be prepared for a good night of stargazing! Low level cumulus clouds usually clear at night. The IR map shows no major cloud cover over Singapore and the weather till 6am is forecast as fair. Showers on Monday afternoon, but all in all, should be a good night! Anyway, this is just what I think. Other people are much more experienced than me in this.
Clear skies!
Chris
Welcome to Singastro
If you want a list of good observation sites in Singapore, please refer here: http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?p=5836#5836
However, in Singapore, its always a compromise between convenience and seeing. Because of light pollution and cloud cover, the seeing is never that great in dark sites anyway, so a nearby park will usually do. You have to hunt around for your own favourite spot. Good luck!
A good way to start is just with your eyes, but a pair of binos will make it much more enjoyable as you can see much more. (important because in Singapore you can't see much unless its super clear). Expect to pay around $180 for a good pair. There are $40 ones selling in Carrefour that might be worth a try but no guarantees there if it will allow you to see many stars.
As for a telescope, do be patient as it is not a cheap hobby. However, do be encouraged that you can start resonably cheaply. I bought my setup from the states on a sale for around S$600, and beginner setups can be bought from dealers here such as Samuel Ng below $1000. Those of us students on a budget can always find alternatives.
As for weather, the meteorological service does not do a good job of predicting cloud cover. The best bet is this site: http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=1454 that gives a infrared satellite map of the region. But usually we learn to be our weather forecasters. For example today is a really hot day with blue skies and patches of cumulus clouds. If the sky looks like that in the evening time, be prepared for a good night of stargazing! Low level cumulus clouds usually clear at night. The IR map shows no major cloud cover over Singapore and the weather till 6am is forecast as fair. Showers on Monday afternoon, but all in all, should be a good night! Anyway, this is just what I think. Other people are much more experienced than me in this.
Clear skies!
Chris
Last edited by chrisyeo on Sun May 09, 2004 4:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
zong
- Administrator
- Posts: 621
- Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2003 9:41 pm
- Favourite scope: 1x7 binoculars (my eyes)
- Location: Toa Payoh
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No worries if you don't have a scope, I'm here so long already still no scope what. I still use my 10x50 binos. The easiest way to start is for people to teach you of course, but you can start on your own too, by using planetarium programs to help you locate stars and constellations in the sky, or using the planisphere.
When I'm "star-starved", I would watch the sky even at my home corridor, where I can see the stupid PIE with the whole stretch of streetlamps, and a whole neighbourhood of lights, so what's light pollution? Hehe.. Of course I would curse the lights, but in the end it is the sky and your determination to learn that matters, not stupid street lamps. Have fun in your astro-quest! ;)
When I'm "star-starved", I would watch the sky even at my home corridor, where I can see the stupid PIE with the whole stretch of streetlamps, and a whole neighbourhood of lights, so what's light pollution? Hehe.. Of course I would curse the lights, but in the end it is the sky and your determination to learn that matters, not stupid street lamps. Have fun in your astro-quest! ;)
Btw, if you want to learn the constellations, you can print them out using programs such as Starry Night Backyard or the Interactive Star Chart on http://skyandtelescope.com/