Scope and mount out and set up. CHECK.
Perfect alignment and centred GOTOs. CHECK.
PERFECT focus with a MINUTE FWHM value. CHECK.
High level smoke or alto-stratus, thin enough to see through. CHECK and DOUBLE CHECK.
No idea what the high level stuff is, but it's absolutely RUINED what could have been a gorgeous night for astrophotography. I did 50 minutes worth, and will likely throw the WHOLE LOT out.
Just utterly frustrating here in QLD as usual. I am even tired of whinging about it now.