CFN service has been up for about three months now and we're wanting to gather some info on general use, feature requests and of course any issues you may have encountered while using the website.
This will helps us improve the service we provide, on an on-going basis, across a wider range of platforms and devices and deliver more features, to you all, within our existing resources.
At this stage, just a simple post to see if there is any interest. If there is, we will provide you with a quick survey on CFN so you can answer a few questions as well as leaving any feedback. We will look into any request.
I've been using CFN regularly for a few weeks and it seems to predict fairly accurately when it will be clear or cloudy - helps to plan observing. It also shows when solar power will be available for running the washing machine/dishwasher
Love it!
Last wed in Melbourne it predicted ckear skies until midnight, then clouds.
Sure enough, I set up, got 4-5 hrs imaging in, then the clouds rolled in at Midnight- you could almost set your watch by it!
Nice work
Last edited by Andy01; 22-06-2016 at 08:05 PM.
Reason: Typo
Only just started to use it. Is the 'general' map (SA in my case) the only one available or can I narrow it down to the Adelaide region? Looks good though.
I swear by this app! It's very good and reliable in predicting conditions - especially in the short term forecast.
I'd like to be able to view a seeing map. While I realise this can be perceived as a bit of a fudge and would be based on information already available, doing a mental forecast based on other maps is inconvenient and requires some knowledge of the parameters that contribute to seeing.
1. It knows where I am, so why default to Victoria?
We only know where you are if you agree to let us know where you are. We don't automatically geocode you although we could. It is a user choice.
We don't use cookies so CFN defaults to Victoria/Melbourne. You can create a shortcut on your mobile device home screen or your desktop PC by bookmarking your location. Then CFN will remember you every time you use that shortcut.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AstroJunk
2. Times are the wrong way around for me. My clock goes: Now. +3, +6 etc.
Both are first world problems.
Thanks!
The logic behind the placement and order of the buttons was based on frequency of use and ease of access. We felt that +3h/+6h were more often used than +12h/+1d so we kept them on the outside of the map edges.
Easier on mobile devices with small screens to "thumb in" rather than trying to aim in between NOW and other narrower buttons.
Also keep in mind they are increment values, not absolute times. The map time is easier to change by swiping the map picture horizontally in all cases once an increment has been locked in. By default it is 3h.
Still happy to revisit if it confuses other users.
Only just started to use it. Is the 'general' map (SA in my case) the only one available or can I narrow it down to the Adelaide region? Looks good though.
Charles
There is a dedicated meteogram for Adelaide. If you wish to have a meteogram for your particular location in SA email us and we'll look into it. The regions for the maps are broader because we need to cater for all users that are not in metropolitan areas while also trying to overlap between states as not to leave any black spots. So the current map areas are a compromise between coverage and resolution. They will be refined and optimised based on feedback to make sure we don't leave anyone out.
I swear by this app! It's very good and reliable in predicting conditions - especially in the short term forecast.
I'd like to be able to view a seeing map. While I realise this can be perceived as a bit of a fudge and would be based on information already available, doing a mental forecast based on other maps is inconvenient and requires some knowledge of the parameters that contribute to seeing.
We don't manufacture indexes or maps. We just present the raw data. Recently we have introduced map overlays. If you are after a seeing index you can overlay the jetstream on top of the wind map and that will give you what you are after. More information on composite maps is available here.
Wow, it looks pretty nice so far. I will have to try this out, as the new moon approacheth.
Are there any plans for phone apps in the future?
The CFN website experience on a mobile device is actually quite fluid, once you have worked out all the navigation/swiping options. But, there are currently no plans to release a CFN app.
27 users so far. Our user base is easily four times that number. Please do let us know your thoughts as it will drive the next batch of development and eventually deliver more features for you.
It will run on any Android device running Chrome, Firefox or the native browser as an online web application. CFN is not a compiled app and it is free.
I swear by this app! It's very good and reliable in predicting conditions - especially in the short term forecast.
I'd like to be able to view a seeing map. While I realise this can be perceived as a bit of a fudge and would be based on information already available, doing a mental forecast based on other maps is inconvenient and requires some knowledge of the parameters that contribute to seeing.
Glad we've got you convinced Marcus
I haven't imaged at long focal lengths so seeing has rarely bothered me and consequently I'm no expert on the topic. Do you notice a good correlation between seeing and other forecast parameters? It's easy to create a seeing index based on high altitude wind speeds but only worth doing if it yields meaningful results. What we don't want to do is create a black box formula which spits out impressive numbers without a good basis.
What else do you look at apart from 300hPa wind? Does good seeing correlate better with light winds, no wind or strong wind at ground level? This last point can probably vary a lot between sites.
Love it!
Last wed in Melbourne it predicted ckear skies until midnight, then clouds.
Sure enough, I set up, got 4-5 hrs imaging in, then the clouds rolled in at Midnight- you could almost set your watch by it!
Nice work
That's impressive but I wouldn't claim that kind of forecast accuracy is common. Can be very good with arrival of frontal systems but low cloud is incredibly hard to forecast well.
