Current Weather & Forecast
MeteoEarth is an interactive 3D map that can show 24 hour forecasts weather patterns across the globe - as well as the phase of the Moon.
Another good resource for checking detailed short-range sky conditions is the Clear Sky Chart. It reads from left to right in a 24 hour time format, with 0 being midnight, 13 being 1 PM, and 23 being 11 PM.
NOTE: You may have to refresh your browser cache to see the most up to date chart:
Windows: ctrl + F5, Mac/Apple: Apple + R or command + R, Linux: F5
Or click on the graphic below to see the current chart and more detailed information.
Windows: ctrl + F5, Mac/Apple: Apple + R or command + R, Linux: F5
Or click on the graphic below to see the current chart and more detailed information.
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Today's Sun & Moon rise - set data
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The most important lines to consider are Cloud Cover & Transparency. The colors are picked from what color the sky is likely to be, with dark blue being clear, and grey to white representing overcast:
Another great application from MeteoBlue is ideal for astronomical seeing conditions:
The screen shot on the right shows Moon phase, times of Moon and Sun rise and set, day, night, and twilight periods in hour increments, and the graphical lists for cloud layers, and importantly predicted seeing resolution in arc-seconds and the 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) seeing scales. This can be especially useful for lunar, solar, and planetary observers.
The graphic below shows the duration of Goldendale nighttime hours considering civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight periods.
Moon Phase
Even though the full moon is a beautiful sight to behold, it is very bright. While the brighter stars and planets are unaffected, the Milky Way and faint "deep sky" objects such as galaxies and nebulae can be overpowered by bright moonlight. The periods around the new moon and crescent phases are the best times for observation of these fainter objects:
If your primary interests lie in viewing "deep sky" objects, please consult the Moon Phases Calendar for new and waxing/waning crescent moon phases when planning your observing.
