What atmospheric characteristic often makes winter months provide better transparency in northern latitudes?
Answer
Drier and calmer air
While winter months in northern latitudes offer the benefit of longer total hours available for observation due to shorter daylight periods, their key advantage regarding quality is atmospheric transparency. Winter air is typically drier and calmer compared to summer air. Drier conditions mean there is significantly less moisture, dust, smog, or other particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere to absorb or scatter incoming starlight. This results in a crisper, clearer view of celestial targets.
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