Last night was clear when I started imaging Eta Carina at 9.00pm
Capture plan was set for 50 x 2 minute subs followed by 20 darks
ISO 1600
Stock Canon 600D
PHD2 guiding around 0.80 to 1.00 arc sec error
Went inside around 10.30pm for a cuppa and read a book, then the heavens opened up , raced outside, shut off the power, grabbed the laptop, camera , guide camera etc. threw a cover over the OTA and mount and started to dry my gear off with towels and a hair dryer
Only managed 20 x 2 minute subs nothing else
Spent most of today pulling apart the OTA and guide scope , cleaning mirrors and lens etc.
Stacked what I had in DSS and processed in Startools
Weather report and CFN looked good , must have 1 big cloud bank deciding to dump its load on my backyard, although lights showers continued on for a while into the early hours
Cheers
I nearly ended up the same way! I was thinking about setting up as it was nice and clear but the wife mentioned that she’d heard we would get a huge downpour overnight. Within half an hour she was proved right.
I’m down near Ulladulla at my holiday place for 2 weeks , weatherzone said no rain and I used the satellite on CFN which showed no rain, must have been unlucky with cloud band deciding to dump it on me
Thankfully I tested all the gear today and all ok
Tonight is looking similar but higher cloud so might be alright
I was thinking of setting up because the second half of the night from 1:00am onwards looked good but watching the clouds swirling back and forth with no clear direction I thought bugger that. Too close for comfort.
Last night was rubbish early evening but okay after 12-1am up in the northern suburbs. Had a quick look an most of my subs from then till 4am were cloud free. Trying again tonight - getting some more M42 earlier on with my Rokinon 135mm.
