October, a lean month for Astro on the East Coast

[Startrek]

There’s some big east coast lows pushing across Victoria and NSW since Monday so cloudy weather with some heavy showers at times along the coast
Forecast doesn’t look that good for the next week or so , especially around Sydney and south ( Saturday night might get a 4 hour window ? )
With the moon at 50% and full next week , looks like October is going to be a lean month on the Astro calendar
I was hoping to capture some more galaxies but that will have to wait until late October into November now
Shouldn’t complain , the country needs the rain
How’s it looking over in the West and way up north in QLD ??

[Pepper]

Wet out here. Similar situation. No clear nights for the foreseeable future.

[mura_gadi]

We've had thunderstorms here pass through between 3am and 5am.

I think 6 of the 7 indicators are pointing to La Nina again this year...


La Nina:

"The increased rainfall and cloudiness in the western Pacific associated with La Niña usually means above-average winter–spring rainfall for Australia, particularly across the east and north.

Unlike El Niño years, the impacts of La Niña often continue into the warm months. In eastern Australia, the average December-March rainfall during La Niña years is 20% higher than the long-term average,

The relationship between La Niña strength and rainfall is closely linked. The greater the sea surface temperature and SOI difference from normal, the larger the rainfall response"

[The_bluester]

Thunder storms in south central Vic last night too. The forecast keeps threatening to give me a half decent night now and again, but it only ever materialises on nights when I don't have time to set up.

[xelasnave]

Although I am wanting to do some astrophotography, particularly with my new set up nearly ready to go, I am rather happy if it just keeps raining as that means no bush fire and they are so scarey here I really dont mind the rain...but it helps make more fuel so things will be worse when the fires come again.
The very next project at the observatory is to rebuild the jetty reaching over the dam and place the new ( last year) fire pump directly over the water and hopefully distant enough from the bank so it cant be burnt in a fire...we need to set up a run out hose and a system to spray water on both the van and the observatory...when that is done perhaps I can focus on the main game.
Alex

[multiweb]

Imaging session few and far in between in Sydney too but loving the rain. Everything is green and growing. Quite normal for the season. Take it all in while it lasts. Not looking forward to the next drought.

[AdamJL]

^ this

[Dave882]

All these clouds are a good opportunity to go through all the data from last couple months of amazing lockdown weather. I literally just finished going through the last of my planetary videos and found what I think is the best capture of Saturn for the whole season tucked away from about 6wks ago!

[Startrek]

Haven’t imaged since the 5th October due to the unstable weather we’ve been having lately. Tonight in Sydney is clear but unfortunately the humidity will be climbing to 90% by midnight and fog forming by 3am
The moon is low at dusk so I might get 3 hours on the Helix before the guiding goes haywire due to the heavy atmosphere
Anyone else imaging tonight ?

[multiweb]

It has been very variable and unpredictable here on a very small time scale which is the problem. If you can't get a reliable window of a few hours at least you're running a greater risk of a" sun shower" or even worse.

[AdamJL]

Yeah October is a write off for me. Maybe early November and a trip up to the mountains can improve things

[Startrek]

Perfectly clear all afternoon and at 8.00pm when focused and framed up captured 2 subs on the Helix , totally clouded out by 8.40pm
Cloud Free Night had tonight clear until morning , Weather Zone had tonight clear with only up to 14% cloud between 9 and 12

Cloud as far as the eye can see ( mostly coastal cloud coming in from the north east ) Checked Satellite and yep coastal cloud

Shut down , packed up , covers on , cuppa tea and picked up a book to read

Definitely not a cloud free night

[Dave882]

Yep that came in quick! I thought I’d get some time with the binoviewers tonight… had it all ready to go and then full white-out. I’m still holding onto hope and keeping it setup for the moment

[Venter]

Pretty much same experience here in North Sydney. Was planning on running some more tests with NINA sequencer. Looked good early evening, and then clouded up pretty quickly with no sign of improvement. Packed up, made some hot tea and settled down with a nice movie.

[Drac0]

Still clear here on the South Coast - hope it holds for another hour as testing my new setup & need about another hour to complete Orion, my test subject. Very happy with what's coming up on screen so far...

[Tropo-Bob]

Ha, the whole of 2021 has been a lean year for viewing from Cairns. :(

[AdamJL]

Orion season coming in :)

So excited!! Can't wait to try it again this year.

[floyd_2]

I was nearly tricked by Cloud Free Night into setting up last night. Luckily the full moon gave me pause and I decided against the whole thing. I looked outside at 9pm and the clouds were rolling in. I’ve probably brought it all on myself by buying all sorts of gear in the last few weeks to hook up an EAA rig :(

[Saturnine]

Hi Martin and All

Had the same cloud problem down here as well, clear all day, set up after dinner and it clouded over despite the forecast. Being the patient type, watched TV for a while and checked the sky a few times and realised it was clearing after about 2 hours. Spent an enjoyable few hours observing and imaging the planets in reasonable seeing until they started getting lower in the west.
Living within walking distance of the beach does have its pros and cons

[Astronovice]

How true, clear days until 4pm and then the clouds roll in. Total frustration here. :(

[Startrek]

Late June, July, August and early September ( Winter ) were excellent for observing and imaging down at my Dark site on the South Coast NSW.I would have had at least 12 or 14 clear stable nights throughout that period.
It’s a real bummer when it all comes to a grinding halt in the first week of October. Hope November gives us at a few clear nights ahead
Cheers
Martin

[xelasnave]

Well my gear is near ready and being the luckiest man around by far I can tell you next New Moon will be perfect..

Its clearing for me of course but everyone please have some...and of course around Xmas will be perfect but with xmas comitments no one will get to image I expect..but I will.
Alex

[Startrek]

After all the Xmas family celebrations on the 25th and 26th , my wife and I will be heading south to our getaway for at least a month.The Dome will be getting a workout in the backyard every available clear night and some observing too with the 12” Goto dob in the front car bay area as well.

[mura_gadi]

Hey,

I have found earth.nullschool.net very handy, it is just source files from a number of observational weather satellites.

The variables are numerous - wind/RH/particles types etc and all at different atmospheric layers. (Also sea temps, wave heights, currents etc for marine areas.)

It is very much a large scale map, but it does allow you track how fast things are moving during the day. You can see atmospheric conditions such as central Australian dust going to NZ for holidays...


While I don't let it rule my viewing, the particle indicator/RH at least has proven pretty accurate and a good indicator of possible conditions.

[Startrek]

Looks like a break in the relentless cloudy nights in Sydney and mid east coast on Friday night
Forecast looks great
Clear from 6pm to 3am then some scattered cloud from 3am to dawn
Low humidity around 60 to 65%
Light winds out of the west
Conditions should be ok
Take advantage if you can
Monday looks promising as well ( to early to call )
Clear Skies !