Tonight is looking good on the NSW coast

glend (Glen) · #1 01-02-2021, 03:44 PM

Well, there might be a chance tonight, as the cloud of this morning has burnt off and a north east wind is clearing away the ground saturation. Humidity is In the 40% area now. The Moon does not rise until 10:27 pm and astro dark time is 9:31pm. There is an hour of imaging time if you want it., obviously more if narrowband.
There is a band of cloud inland stretching away to the south, but that looks like tomorrow's problem. Certainly for Sydney northward things are looking fine.

multiweb (Marc) · #2 01-02-2021, 03:50 PM

Unfortunately cloudy here and likely showers tomorrow. 32c right now and muggy.

glend (Glen) · #3 01-02-2021, 03:59 PM

I live in hope. It will depend on how fast that cloud band is moving. I will delay getting ready. Up Alex's way it should be safe.

xelasnave · #4 01-02-2021, 05:32 PM

I am staying out of it until I get a few things sorted...the grass is so long (4 ft) one does not feel safe..nearly got bitten by a brown snake at the gate..one foot away lucky to be alive..so Wednesday buying the ride on mower for sure..saw the guy today and set it up...even thinking of putting in an elevated walk way between the van and the observatory..seems over kill but being near the dam you must prepare for the worst..probably $1000 ...well spent....anyways there is a fair bit of cloud and moisture would drown the gear...had a fall damaged three fingers on my left hand and sprained my wrist so it would not be easy..plus no guitar...
Alex

Allan_L (Allan) · #5 01-02-2021, 06:06 PM

Thanks for the heads up Glen.
Inspired me to check CFN, which unfortunately does not support your optimistic outlook. Darn! again.
Nevertheless, I shall do a physical inspection later. We all live in hope.
Lately that's all we got.

Sunfish (Ray) · #6 01-02-2021, 06:35 PM

Tomorrow and Wednesday maybe, but not tonight here .

glend (Glen) · #7 01-02-2021, 07:08 PM

Grrr, the cloud band has arrived earlier then I hoped. Tonight is a scrub, and the forecast looks bad. At least I got the lawn cut.

codemonkey (Lee) · #8 01-02-2021, 10:13 PM

Not to brag (ok, maybe just a little), but I actually managed to see some stars tonight, so your forecast was true for me, Glen!

I'd call that my second real attempt at visual. Had a quick look at:

* NGC 1851 (looked like a real cluster rather than just a small grey ball this time!)
* M 79
* NGC 1360 (first look at a planetary through an eyepiece)
* NGC 253 (first look at a galaxy through an eyepiece)
* M42
* Carina
* Some random patches of nebulosity in the LMC

Had a lot of fun this time, though I need to get a better trolley for the dob and an observing chair.

Have to say, after getting out of imaging, visual is refreshing in its relative simplicity... just nice being out under the stars instead of staring at a screen tweaking guide params. I think I'm a convert.