Sky background brightness *is* affected by solar activity however, so the SQM readings tend to be somewhat worse near sunspot maximum.
...Clear skies to you.
A few years ago we took a chance and ignored the weather forecast and headed east.
That was the exceptional night of seeing Flaming Star Nebula naked eye.
My philosophy is that when you are in an area that is capable of achieving perfect skies
every little bit helps.
And the difference between being under ~21:97 and 22:00 just makes the occasion even more memorable
because those days don't come but every few years and even with designated dark areas you
have to take a chance and be there on those special nights and if your lucky that's once or twice in the fall.
Regardless, between Sept & Oct of 22 we went out 3 times, third time to the good site,
But it was our first trip in sept second week that just knocked it out of the park.
Stuff that I've never seen under such clear and Stable skies,
and some stuff that was? un-explainable??? ??
But you pay your money and you take your chances
So for myself I'm really lucky to get "out" 3 or 4 scope times in the fall as that's after we get past all night twilight and smoke and up to Dec/January when the real cold weather and reflecting snow hits.
-So we'll take every percentage point we can get when we get it and out.
Throughout of the rest of the year it's usually just naked eye viewing (like tonite) .
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There used to be a story floating around the net about the night of 6000x (or something to that effect)
In which the guys at a star party were stacking 2 or 3 barlows with their best eye pieces.
Those are exceptional nights and that's when you need that last little push up the hill.
Astronomy can be akin to drag racing in so much as every-bodies looking for that last 10th of a second.
-Tonight I'm probably gonna cycle the 10 miles out of town and should arrive near the old wooden trestle at
about 2 or 3 in the morning to watch the sun when it come up (around 3:30? -online sunset times/map not working).
I'll Work and do general shop choirs til it's time to head out as that's kind of the 'off season' norm.
Still hoping to see Noctilucent clouds as we are approaching the peak viewing window and tonight is said to be clear and warmish at 50F and at least for tonight we have little to no smoke as the recent rains have cleaned out the atmosphere.
So I will take you up on the offer of 'Clear Skies Tonite' and offer a cheers back to you,
moe
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Edited by moefuzz, 17 June 2025 - 06:33 AM.