Will it be clear tonight?!

[deanm]

Here's an occasional fun thing to do:

I've been using ISS overflights during daytime to get a more up-to-date and detailed idea of local cloud conditions, particularly when an astro 'event' is on that night (eg. tonight's eclipse!).

The ISS HD experiment has multiple external cameras (forward, down & rearward views) which alternate on a timer (scroll down).

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/iss-hdev-payload

By checking 'all passes' for ISS on HA, you can determine suitable overflights.

This one happened (over SA) around 15:20 today.

http://www.heavens-above.com/gtrack.aspx?satid=25544&mjd=56938.2008728241

The screen-grab below shows Eyre, Yorkes & Fleurieu peninsulas, and the Coorong coastline & Kangaroo Island are also visible.

As you can see, there ain't much cloud around!

SkippySky is useful - but this is for real (& real-time)! BoM is good, but much lower resolution satellite images.

So, tonight's eclipse is pretty much in the clear for SA folk!

Dean

[Baddad]

Hello Deanm,

You haven't mentioned the coming of the apocalypse. The blood moon prophesy. Changes are in the air. LOL

I happened to have a read of some of these. Its worth a laugh just google them up. Too sensitive to post on here. However I am just flabbergasted at what people will believe.:confused2:

So what is happening tonight? The Moon changes from green cheese to red?
That seems less sinister. I can deal with that.:)

My Grandson David will have his telescope out. I'm a little lazy tonight. Just the binos will do me.:P

To all members I hope you all have clear skies tonight. I heard some rain on the way for Melbourne:sadeyes:

Senior Son is in Thailand. Cloudy. Although he will still try to see the event from the hotel rooftop.:D

Young son is in Germany. Out of the picture.:sadeyes:

Enjoy :)

[Ric]

Turned out to be a wonderful clear night for the eclipse down here.

Very spectacular and enjoyable.

Cheers

[Paul Haese]

Good stuff Dean. I headed north just in case of the high cloud being a pain. See you Saturday.

[hobbit]

wasn't clear for me :(

[deanm]

The high cloud was a PITA for the 1st half of the event!

@Paul: Saturday? I think you must be confusing me with another Dean!

TOD (The Other Dean!)

[deanm]

And here's another one from today (9.10.14) at 14:30.

Different perspective - ISS crossed the SA coastline north-west of Mt. Gambier, so about 400 km east of yesterday's screen-grab.

Looks good again tonight...!

Dean