Can I see the milky way in Scotland this month?

[jetpack]

Hi everyone,

I'm up in The Cairngorm's for a week and hoped to get some nice milky way shots when I'm here. I wondered if it was possible to see the milky way up here at this time of year? I've been told it might be too light but I'm not convinced.

Thanks,
Jpj

 

[BRASH]

Only deep fried ones

 

[Proud2btaff]

Check out this for where the dark sky sites are

http://www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk/dark-sky-discovery-sites/map.html

and this for when the milky way is best visable

http://www.youcanseethemilkyway.com/#how-to-see-the-milky-way

also if you have an app for your phone like starwalk it will show you where the milky way is in the sky.

 

[Proud2btaff]

oh and a moonless night also makes it more clearer

 

[jetpack]

Thanks for the feedback guys. So are we saying I will see it if I locate it and the moon isn't in too full then I should see it? Will it get dark enough.

 

[markyboy.1967]

I tried last month but way way to light and that was me in the outer hebrides on the coast with no light polution. You might be lucky but i would e pect Sep/ oct at least.

 

[jetpack]

I tried last month but way way to light and that was me in the outer hebrides on the coast with no light polution. You might be lucky but i would e pect Sep/ oct at least.

Thanks, I'm back up in February so I'll save it for then.

 

[Tringa]

Although it is now a month after the summer solstice the nights are still short but there is a chance if you are happy to be up late.

In Aviemore during this week, for example, the sun set at about 21:45 and rises at about 04:55, so it is likely to be darkest at around 01:15

At that time the Milky Way cuts the horizon at quite a steep angle a little west of due south.

At the beginning of this week the moon rises about 01:00 which, even though only about 30% of the moon is illuminated, could affect seeing the Milky Way, but by the end of the week the moon does not rise until about 04:00, so would not be a problem.

Seeing it will still need a fair bit of luck as there are only a few dark hours at this time of year.

Have a look at
Steallrium http://www.stellarium.org/en_GB/ and
The Photographer's Ephemeris http://photoephemeris.com/


Both are free for PCs and Macs and are very useful for astrophotography, and sunsets/sunrises too.

Dave