D Alt Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 How well is the stargazing at night when out to sea? Can we see the milky way in the Caribbean? I hope I have some clear nights in November, but maybe for February. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordell1 Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 Usually, there is too much light pollution from the ship combined with high humidity from being at sea. Its better than most areas that people live that have really bad light pollution, but not as good as you would see in an area with low humidity and minimal light pollution. Having said that, I really enjoy being on my balcony at night viewing the stars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M&SDaw Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 This topic came up tonight as we were talking about our upcoming cruise on Anthem. Hoping to find a dark spot to view the sky. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Alt Posted October 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 i heard that forward of the funnel is usually the darkest part of the ship at night. if you can find a spot there or if you have a balcony on that side? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zacharius Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 As an avid star gazer, I can assure you that you'll be disappointed. Even in the darkest parts of the ship, the insane amount of light pollution coming off of said ship makes it difficult to see much beyond what you would in any metro area on land. I did take a cargo ship from Dakar to Nassau once, and that was something special...but on a cruise ship, don't expect much sadly. D Alt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 If you're on a ship that allows guest access to the helipad area that would be the ideal spot. D Alt, Zacharius, Sharla and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 @twangster has taken some amazing stargazing photos on his various cruises. How much of it was visible without the aid of photography I'm unsure, but they are impressive. CrimsonCruiser, S0nny, CruisingOz and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanabell13 Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 This was one of the best things about the smaller ships like the Empress, Majesty, and Monarch. Smaller=less light pollution and better stargazing opportunities. D Alt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zacharius Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 45 minutes ago, nanabell13 said: This was one of the best things about the smaller ships like the Empress, Majesty, and Monarch. Smaller=less light pollution and better stargazing opportunities. I bet...it's a reason I would want to take the smallest ship possible across any big body of water. As I mentioned earlier, I took a cargo ship across the Atlantic once and it was spectacular being able to get away from pretty much all light sources. The idea of taking the smallest ship possible sounds lovely to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 Ships that have forward access to the helipad are best for night gazing since the bridge requires it dark at night to keep watch. The milky way season is coming to an end, it's better in the summer months. This time of year the view shifts South and over the winter the southern hemisphere has better visibility of the Milky Way. Cloud cover is often an issue and/or a full moon which can light up the sky. For this photo it was cloudy and stormy on the horizon but the clouds broke enough to capture the Milky Way. The Milky Way isn't this apparent to the naked eye but a 10 to 15 second exposure with a good camera will capture it. You have to get lucky. New moon, no clouds, right heading, low wind so the ship isn't rocking much. This aft balcony on Odyssey was pretty good for night sky viewing. The lights of South Florida and the afterglow of the sun setting earlier illuminated the clouds on the horizon. On some nights my neighbors left the balcony light on or had the curtains open and light on in the cabin, both of which made it pretty hard to realize good night vision. But I got lucky since it was cloudy for most of the cruise. D Alt, Neesa, whitsmom and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlmondFarmer Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 37 minutes ago, twangster said: The milky way season is coming to an end, it's better in the summer months. I think peak Milky Way time is October 31st. AshleyDillo, teddy, Zacharius and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 25 minutes ago, AlmondFarmer said: I think peak Milky Way time is October 31st. https://capturetheatlas.com/best-time-to-see-the-milky-way/ BEST TIME TO SEE THE MILKY WAY IN NORTH AMERICA The best time to see the Milky Way in North America depends on your latitude: In Southern latitudes like the Southern states of the US or Mexico, the best time of year to see the Milky Way is from late March to late September, while the Milky Way season goes from early February to late October. In higher latitudes like most of the contiguous states of the US, the best time to see the Milky Way is from late March to late August, while the Milky Way season goes from late February to late September. In Northern latitudes like Canada, the best time to see the Milky Way is from Mid-April to Mid-July, whereas the Milky Way season goes from late February to late September. CruisingOz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 46 minutes ago, AlmondFarmer said: I think peak Milky Way time is October 31st. Over in the United Kingdom I believe it's Mars rather than Milky Way. CruisingOz, whitsmom, CrimsonCruiser and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 57 minutes ago, AlmondFarmer said: I think peak Milky Way time is October 31st. Slow today... just got the reference. FJ28 and Neesa 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKMCruising Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 33 minutes ago, twangster said: Slow today... just got the reference. Don't feel bad - I didn't get the reference until you posted saying that *you* didn't get the reference. WAAAYTOOO, twangster, Neesa and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 46 minutes ago, GKMCruising said: Don't feel bad - I didn't get the reference until you posted saying that *you* didn't get the reference. Same here twangster, Neesa and CruisingOz 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingOz Posted October 12, 2021 Report Share Posted October 12, 2021 15 hours ago, CGTLH said: f you're on a ship that allows guest access to the helipad area that would be the ideal spot. I agree with CGTLH, as it really dark and a nice romantic place at night; if you don't mind the bridge crew watching, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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