I see it all the time flying into Sydney, this band of cloud going right up the east coast that forms just out to sea and extends 50 to 100 km inland. West of that there isn't a cloud in the sky. As much as Bretti is one of my favourite dark spots it will always cop this poor coastal weather.
I've been keeping an eye on the Tamworth weather and while it's still not the best, there appears some chance of clear nights there next week, which I doubt we will see at Bretti. I've got a couple of weeks off and I'm keen to get as much observing in during this new moon as I can. So at this stage it looks like Chaffey Dam for me.
based on the current radar images and the forecasts for the weekend I'm going to change my trip status to unlikely unless the weather does a nice 180.
I'm figuring others are about to do the same.
I'll keep an eye on the thread for the next one or may do a trip up there on another weekend just to scope the site out (pun intended) .
Arthur, I'll be in touch via PM to arrange some folding stuff for your pocket.
I will watch the weather over the weekend but there will have to be a quick and very dramatic change in the meteorological conditions for me to consider going to Bretti on Monday.
Weatherzone is predicting a 90% chance of rain up to and including Thursday. With a humidity of >90 of a night so eve if no rain the dew will kill each night.
I don't want to spend a week sitting in a tent.
Unfortunately Chaffey is out as I have to travel to wagga on Wednesday and the extra distance will be prohibitive, if anyone wants to visit wagga you can always come along for a drive
I had a look through the Camp 7 book trying to find someplace suitable further west (ie not in a town or adjacent to the main highway) and there are not many places like Bretti.
The following weekend of 29th, 30th of August might be the only option in the near term to get clearing conditions but the moon is (by that time) setting at 8:55 and 9:50pm respectively - still if its clear I could live with that if I have the rest of the night and can see Orion rise. However, I will be mainly imaging and can get everything setup while the moon is up and don't have to stay by the scope once I start the guiding and camera.
For now I am 'on hold' until it clears, but I can leave at pretty short notice if it does.
I just rang the Gloucester Visitor Centre and spoke to Christine about conditions for astronomy. She advised that they have not had much rain, backing up the figures from the Met office, but it is overcast today with few breaks in it.
