Blasted through the high clouds last night, interesting experiment... NGC 2064.

I think we’ve all had nights like that and it’s frustrating. Yes, you can keep going by making the changes you made. I suppose the bigger question is, should you?

Tony Gondola · Mar 2, 2026, 04:46 PM

I think we’ve all had nights like that and it’s frustrating. Yes, you can keep going by making the changes you made. I suppose the bigger question is, should you?

I find thin clouds can reduce apparent FWHM and even improve guiding results (if I can find a guide star), so even though the data may not be worth it, it’s still a feel good moment! Ha!….

Yeah, between my seeing in general and anything else going on, I play with platesolve exposure time a lot. Longer exposures for more stars, shorter exposures for sharper stars….and keep repeating until you get lucky — ‘lucky platesolving’ : ) Coincidentally, two nights ago, after years of thinking I had it set up properly, but never working, I started getting Astrometry.net solutions after ASTAP failed!….

Cheers,
Scott

SonnyE · Mar 3, 2026, 04:34 PM

Scott Badger · Mar 3, 2026, 12:16 PM

Tony Gondola · Mar 2, 2026, 04:46 PM

I think we’ve all had nights like that and it’s frustrating. Yes, you can keep going by making the changes you made. I suppose the bigger question is, should you?

I find thin clouds can reduce apparent FWHM and even improve guiding results (if I can find a guide star), so even though the data may not be worth it, it’s still a feel good moment! Ha!….

Yeah, between my seeing in general and anything else going on, I play with platesolve exposure time a lot. Longer exposures for more stars, shorter exposures for sharper stars….and keep repeating until you get lucky — ‘lucky platesolving’ : ) Coincidentally, two nights ago, after years of thinking I had it set up properly, but never working, I started getting Astrometry.net solutions after ASTAP failed!….

Cheers,
Scott

Ordinarily I’m a set it and forget it type, preferring consistency to frittering with my settings. If it works, don’t fix it.

But my skies have been very fickle this spring with highly variable nights and really bad predictions from the 3 weather forecasters I watch. When they predict clear nights it is often got this thin overcast like this was shot through.

Normally if I go out and see any sign of clouds I don’t bother. But in spite of my questionable skies I’ve been trying my hand at it anyway.

Like you, Scott, I think I’ll play anyway. I dropped my exposure back to 5 seconds for ASTAP last night, from the 10s, but it was a nice clear night. I’ve also used Astrometry.net as my backup plan.

I never go by local broadcasters for weather information. You might have better luck with these two on-resources:

If you are in the US, Canada, Bahamas or Mexico the Clear Sky Chart is something to have on your desktop

https://www.cleardarksky.com/csk/

Astrospheric is also very good but I’m not sure about coverage outside the US:

https://www.astrospheric.com/

This one is especially good because it not only predicts basic cloud cover but also high altitude haze, seeing and transparency.

I will generally use Clear Sky Chart for a quick look and then Astrospheric for a more detailed look.

Rainer Ehlert · Mar 3, 2026, 05:33 PM

Tony Gondola · Mar 3, 2026, 05:18 PM

If you are in the US, Canada, Bahamas or Mexico the Clear Sky Chart is something to have on your desktop

https://www.cleardarksky.com/csk/

Hi Tony,

Thansk for the tip but it does not reach down to 22°N into México. It just covers the northern states Baja California, Chihuahua and Sonora 😪

I use up to 6 forecasts and make an educated guess.

Meteoblue is quite good as well as 7timer and all the other well know forecasters.

Astrospheric looks good but it a bit vague in its forecasts.

Just my experience 👍️

Of course, it all depends on where in the world you’re located. I guess my main point is, look for the relevant resources for your location. The ones listed work well for my location in the central US.