No stargazing tonight

The clouds are back, again.
New moon weekends are probably jinxed & we might have to resort to emailing folks on the few clear nights this season.
Throughout the week if you'd be interested in notices or updates for observing opportunities send me an email & I'll add you to the list.
The address is stonelickstargazing@gmail.com

Scott

Sat. Nov. 5th - clear skies

Folks are going out around 7:00 Saturday night to observe the Moon & Jupiter. The Clear Sky Clock looks great and we're even supposed to have mild temps. It's a combination that's too hard to pass up.

Scott

Stargazing October 29th @ Stonelick Lake

The weather's looking cold and clear Saturday night.
It's getting pretty dark by 7:00 and that's about when the temp starts falling, dress in lots of warm clothes.

Stargazing @ Stonelick Saturday Oct 22nd

It's looking like mostly clear skies and cold.
The cold part of the forecast, low in the 30's, seems brutal but in three months we'll be looking back on the nice nights above freezing.

The Orionid meteor shower peaks this weekend & the Moon won't be up till 3am.
Sunset's earlier - twilight is around 7:15~7:30 ( that's a good time to set up )

Stonelick this Saturday (the 8th) - Clear Skies

A handful of people are interested in going to Stonelick Saturday the 8th around 7:30.
The Moon, Jupiter and a bunch of clusters that aren't particularly bothered by brighter skies will be up all night.

If you're going out, drop me a note & I can update folks.

Thanks,
Scott - stonelickstargazing@gmail.com

No stargazing October 1st

No stargazing around here tonight. The clouds aren't cooperating.

Stargazing @ Stonelick Lake - Sat. Sept. 24th

You might have guessed - the predictions are calling for 60~70% cloud cover and a 30 % chance of precipitation. It doesn't look good.

Stargazing @ Stonelick lake - maybe, Sat. Sept. 3rd

Once again it's anybody's guess what the weather gonna do. Some forecasters call for clear skies & others expect 30~40% cloud cover.
If the skies are looking good folks are going to set up around 8:30.

Scott

Stargazing @ Stonelick - August 27th

The weather's busy elsewhere and we've got clear skies Saturday night.
We'll be setting up around twilight ( 8:30~9:00 ) and should catch the Summer objects before they're lost dayside.

Lawn chairs and snacks are always a good idea.

Scott

Perseid Meteor Shower August 12/13th

This years Perseid shower peaks during the morning hours of Saturday Aug 13th, unfortunately the full Moon is also on the 13th. On top of that the weather predictions are pretty grim, 40 - 60% chance precipitation & lots of clouds.
As the Earth rotates into the debris stream at midnight the meteor rate should climb until dawn when we're on the leading edge directly under in falling meteoroids and dust.
It appears the best time to view this weekend will be before dawn Saturday morning.

I haven't heard from anyone about observing the event and doubt we'll be able to see enough to make an organized attempt worthwhile.
This hasn't been a good year for amateur astronomy.

If you have any questions or would like to be added to the Stonelick list email me at stonelickstargazing@gmail.com.

Saturday July 30th - Good weather (for a change)

Tonight's weather has changed for the better, the front's drifting south..
The Clear Sky Clock's calling for good conditions: http://cleardarksky.com/c/SlkCcObOHkey.html?1

The summer objects are well placed early and the best is overhead by midnight.

I've talked to a few folks planning on setting up around 9:00 tonight.
I'll try to remember bug spray and a lawn chair this week.

Scott

Stargazing at Stonelick - Saturday July 30th

Saturday night looks like we'll be on the back edge of a slowly moving front, and nobody's sure when we'll pop out of the clouds.
The clear sky clock's looking murky: http://cleardarksky.com/c/SlkCcObOHkey.html?1

They've all been wrong before but I wouldn't bet the farm on clear skies tomorrow night.
If the weather changes & the front sinks south I'll post an update.

Tonight - Saturday July 9th

The weather's looking great. We'll be setting up around 9:00 ~ 9:30.

Stargazing on an off night - Sat. July 9th

The weather looks perfect for stargazing Saturday night.

I'm planning on setting up around 9:00 ~ 9:30, haven't heard from anyone else but I'm willing to bet other folks are chomping at the bit waiting for a night like this.

I'll try to update the blog tomorrow before 2:00 or 3:00 .

Scott

Maybe - stargazing tonight at Stonelick

I'm still sitting on the fence. The weather predictors are calling for mostly cloudy and others are saying there might only be a few clouds, they can't both be right.

I've talked to one other amateur who's willing to drive out and wait for the clouds to clear but it doesn't sound promising.

Stargazing @ Stonelick - Saturday July 2nd

The weather doesn't look promising for Saturday night, maybe a 50% chance of seeing stuff between clouds, if it doesn't rain.

I'll try to post an update by 2:00pm Saturday if local amateurs are going out to set up equipment.

Update - June 25th

Conditions have steadily declined throughout the day. Storms are headed this way.
Maybe next week.

Stargazing at Stonelick - Saturday June 25th

This is a tough call, predictions are calling for sunny skies Saturday but around sunset the conditions deteriorate and clouds move in. General consensus among weather sites is 35% - 50% cloud cover after dark & then the Moon rises a few hours later.
I'll try to post an update on the Observatory web blog Saturday afternoon.

Stargazing Tonight - FridayJune 3rd instead of Saturday

We seem to be getting one good night a weekend, but it's not the scheduled stargazing date. The predictions for tonight are good & tomorrow they're calling for 40% chance of storms under mostly cloudy skies.

Half a dozen folks have called saying they're going out tonight instead of the scheduled date & plan on arriving around 9:00pm.

Tonight - Sunday May 29th - Stargazing @ Stonelick Lake

The weather wasn't cooperating last night & I'm pretty sure no one saw anything.
Tonight's a different story, the weather predictions are calling for mostly clear skies and even more important they all agree.

I've talked to a handful of amateurs planning on setting up around 8:30~9:00. It's been a long time since we've had weather this good.

Stargazing @ Stonelick - Saturday May 28th

Some weather predictions are calling for partly cloudy skies; others are calling for occasional clouds. I'm not sure what that means but it's better than rain & snow.

We'll be setting up around 9:00 and hope to catch the Virgo Super cluster of galaxies, Saturn's rings, summer nebula, etc.

FRIDAY April 29th - Stonelick Lake

Tonight we have mostly clear skies & a few folks are going out around 8:30 - 9:00pm, it's the first clear weekend night in quite a while. I'd be willing to bet most people will be heading home around midnight after working all day. Everyone's welcome but it will probably be an early night.

The scheduled stargaze on Saturday night doesn't look as promising. Clouds, rain, 40% chance of thunderstorms, who woulda guessed.

If you'd like to be added to the notification list email me at stonelickstargazing@gmail.com.

Stargazing at Stonelick tonight , April 2nd - 7:30

We haven't had much advance notice when the weather's going to cooperate, tonight's another example. The predictions are looking better - Partly cloudy with a low in the 30s.

Stonelick Clear Sky Clock - http://cleardarksky.com/c/SlkCcObOHkey.html?1

I've talked to a handful of amateurs planning on setting up around 7:30, keep your fingers crossed for clear skies.

Stargazing - March 26th

The sky looked great this morning, and if I didn't know there was a snow storm headed this way I'd be packing my telescope.
The experts are calling for clouds & 90% chance of snow tonight. Maybe next week will be better.

Stonelick Stargazing - March 2011

We're off to another slow start this year. Who ever said 'If you don't like the weather in Cincinnati, wait 15 minutes' wasn't a stargazer, it's been months.

I'm trying to rebuild the mailing list from previous years. With any luck I'll be able to send updates and announcements concerning stargazes and special events like meteor showers, and impromptu observing. Hopefully the Messier Marathon nights, March 26th & April 2nd, will have transparent stable skies. Keep your fingers crossed.

I've started using this address for Stonelick correspondence - stonelickstargazing@gmail.com if you'd like to be added to the list, send me a note.

Scott Naylor