What do you do to chase the clouds off? - Forums

It’s been overcast here for almost three weeks, and I’m starting to feel like I’ve forgotten what stars even look like.

I’ve tried shaking a fist at the sky, yelling dramatic Shakespearean curses, even threatening legal action against the clouds. Not only have the clouds ignored me, I think they're getting bolder. Yesterday one shaped itself like a smug little cumulus and just hovered there, blocking the only patch of sky that dared clear up.

So, fellow astrophotography nerds, I have to ask:

What superstitions or rituals do you have that will make the clouds cooperate and stop being jerks?

You need to find something to do that won't allow you to get your scope out, it's always clear when you're unable to take advantage of it ;)

I find that ritual sacrifice works well. I keep a herd of goats for this purpose. They serve the added benefit of mowing and fertilizing my lawn. The constant battles with my HOA are the only downside.

Arun H:
I find that ritual sacrifice works well. I keep a herd of goats for this purpose. They serve the added benefit of mowing and fertilizing my lawn. The constant battles with my HOA are the only downside.

Gosh Arjun, I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who had trouble with their HOA over goat herds. The noise that they made during the sacrificial offering under the new moon was really bugging my neighbors as well. And then there was the blood and all the goat poop but I won’t go into that. The goat offerings worked really well to produce clear skies but I eventually realized that everyone would be happier if I just moved my scopes down to Chile and that worked even better!

John

I just look up at the sky, yell obscenities and shake my fist at them. It doesn't work but my neighbors keep their distance.

Patrck

AmyWarble:
What superstitions or rituals do you have that will make the clouds cooperate and stop being jerks?

Give up and appreciate your very expensive paperweights, as I have.

I remind myself that disappointment is impossible to avoid in astrophotography and in life. Then I go into the music studio and go back to work.

Drive to New Mexico????

The obveious answer is a remote obseratory in an arid area.

Lynn K.

Loving the goat sacrifice, seems tome that if the gods do not favour the sacrifice at least you can enjoy some nice curried goat. Tried dancing naked in gthe garden shaking sticks, due to neighbours complaints and a few visits by the police, i have taken up painting by numbers, the police don't come round for painting by numbers…….

I have found that a can of "Cloud-Be-Gone" ™ aerosol spray is quite effective.

I actually made a label as such for an air freshener can back in the day and put it in the observatory bathroom…..

Bill McLaughlin:
I have found that a can of "Cloud-Be-Gone" ™ aerosol spray is quite effective.

I actually made a label as such for an air freshener can back in the day and put it in the observatory bathroom.....

Is the a reference to the film Envy? If so, brilliant.

Mark McComiskey:
Bill McLaughlin:
I have found that a can of "Cloud-Be-Gone" ™ aerosol spray is quite effective.

I actually made a label as such for an air freshener can back in the day and put it in the observatory bathroom.....

Is the a reference to the film Envy? If so, brilliant.

Not entirely as I did the can label for the observatory in the late 90's long before that movie. I do get the reference, though....

I find (in the US at least) whacking a 145% tariff on telescopes from China greatly reduces the amount of new gear being purchased and consequently improves weather conditions.

(kidding of course.. ;-) )

Heck with the atmosphere: I've just reverted to downloading files from the HST. I find the rental price a bit high but not quite as much as some of the dark sky rental sheds . :-)

FYI- I don't really use files from the HST, haha. But I wish I could live stream from it…
Tom

Chris White- Overcast Observatory:
Cloud gun.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/misc/zarkov-cloud-gun.html

I think it has been discontinued because people discovered it had the opposite effect as what was desired - it shot out clouds. Brilliant concept, flawed execution. Story of life.

Arun H:
I think it has been discontinued because people discovered it had the opposite effect as what was desired - it shot out clouds. Brilliant concept, flawed execution. Story of life.

Worked great for me, but instead of the clouds going away it transported my scope to new mexico.

Chris White- Overcast Observatory:
Arun H:
I think it has been discontinued because people discovered it had the opposite effect as what was desired - it shot out clouds. Brilliant concept, flawed execution. Story of life.

Worked great for me, but instead of the clouds going away it transported my scope to new mexico.

I have heard people saying it caused sudden rain on their heads, so it seems to be a gamble

the humble Cassegrain Reflector is a far better solution to avoid clouds https://www.firstlightoptics.com/offers/hubble-cassegrain-reflector-telescope.html

Why blow all our cash on gear we’ll barely use under light-polluted skies? Let’s save some of it, buy a one-way ticket to Southern Africa, Australia, or Chile — and treat ourself to the real astrophotography paradise. No excuses 😉

I dance naked around the telescope while chanting and singing native American sacrificial words! That scares away EVERYONE, but the clouds are still resilient to my efforts! I found out this method is Not welcome at star parties!!

I find that buying a new telescope helps. Oh…wait… That's to attract clouds! My bad!

I'm able to round up the clouds around here and deport them on my own accord faster than anyone can blink.

This is why it is cloudy where you live.