SDAS Observing night Sunday 30th

Its not looking too good is it?

Metcheck is saying 8% so if you believe metcheck it may be clear between 9 and 12 which may be enough.

No change on the 7pm Sat image. Still no clear patches in sight. I take it the observing seesion is called off so.

No change on the 7pm Sat image. Still no clear patches in sight. I take it the observing seesion is called off so.

We don't let a little think like cloud put us off!!

5 of us met up in Enniskerry and as our chosen site is now gated off we decided to head for Glendalough. We went up to the car park by the power station. Unfortunately the clouds didn't oblige by going away so we had a chat and then (in true Irish style) went to the pub.

We caught glimses of Cygnus and the milky way, the pleiades and mars but it was never clear long enough to set up and there was the constant threat of rain.

The site itself is suprisingly dark but is probably too close to the road to be of real use. I think another day trip is called for to find yet another site .

Thus ends my tale of woe - Happy new year everyone.

Michael.

Its weather like this that put me off getting serious enough about astronomy to actually get a scope for all these years. Any time there was a celestial event you would be guaranteed cloud.

Lunar eclipse.....Cloudy that few hours, clear before and after.
Meteor Shower....Cloudy that day or two, clear in the nights before and after.
Venus Transit....cloud
Solar Eclipse.....cloud
ISS flyover....cloud

Of course then I realised that of course the events that are shortlived are at greater risk of cloud but the rest of the heavens aren't going anywhere and will still be there when the clear skies do come. Even Oppositions of the planets have a 3-4 month window of opportunity. I realised it was worth getting a scope after all and kicked myself for dismissing the idea all these years.

BUT!!

Last nights targets were of course time limited events. How often do you see comet Tuttle right beside M33!! Even the comet itself is time limited. Sure it'll be gone below the horizon in another 2 or 3 weeks......and guess whats forecast for the next few weeks??

Cloud, Cloud, Cloud, Cloud, Cloud :x :x :x

Its weather like this that put me off getting serious enough about astronomy to actually get a scope for all these years.


Last nights targets were of course time limited events. How often do you see comet Tuttle right beside M33!! Even the comet itself is time limited. Sure it'll be gone below the horizon in another 2 or 3 weeks......and guess whats forecast for the next few weeks??

Cloud, Cloud, Cloud, Cloud, Cloud :x :x :x

Yes, the Irish weather would be enough to drive one to drink. Well tonight is New Years eve, and its cloudy out -the perfect excuse :twisted: