Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 03:25
Forums
Geologic Climate Research in Siberia

Have you gotten to see the night sky? How is the view different from here? Are you able to see the moon (day or night)?

Tue, 03/31/2009 - 02:42

Tim Martin

Night Sky...Please include your name on future messages so we know who you are... You have a great question. I have been a little disappointed in seeing the night sky. Although Pevek is not a big town, the light pollution is bad. There are many un-shielded lights so even on a clear night it is difficult to see the stars. A few nights ago I went out past the building lights so that I could make an observation for the Globe at Night sky program. Although I could not see Orion, I was barely able to see some other 4th magnitude stars. I have yet to see the moon but since it was new moon just a few days ago, I have not been looking for something that can't be seen. Hopefully I will be able to see the moon in the next day or so. The weather also makes it a bit difficult to see the stars. Most of the days I have been here there have been very thin clouds and falling diamond-dust. I can see some stars directly overhead but only few lower on the horizon. I hope for darker skies down at the lake. Finally, one other thing to mention, I have never had to bend my neck back so far to find Polaris. Polaris, the north star is almost directly overhead!Late report... I saw the moon this afternoonT-Mart