CLEAR SKIES AHEAD? Weather forecasting for astronomers
Earth’s atmosphere is very important and without it we obviously couldn’t survive. However, observing objects through it can be challenging. The impact of weather on astronomical observing from a country prone to damp conditions such as the UK is significant and although you can’t remove its effects, there are things you can do to lessen its impact. Weather forecasting, estimation of sky quality and general sky watching can help you in your quest to see beyond our world.
The atmosphere is remarkably changeable and can go from a crystal clear, rock-steady state to an extremely wobbly, hazy or opaque state in a very short time. Observing over many years produces a personal connection with your local weather and you’ll find you can make your own assessment as to how it is likely to affect your viewing. More often than not, you’ll have to develop techniques to grab views when available and getting good at this can mean the difference between a challenging observing session and
