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I_Heart_Astronomy t1_jdav8b4 wrote

Reply to comment by Andromeda321 in The Northern Lights could dazzle the skies from Washington to New York on Friday, blown by winds from a giant 'hole' on the sun by thisisinsider

All the friends, family, and coworkers who know I'm into astronomy always say "are you looking forward to X?" when they hear something in the news, and I always say that there's a 95% chance it will be cloudy, so not really.

You know comet NEOWISE? Never had a single clear, moonless night when it was around. Not a single one. Most significant comet since Hale-Bopp and not a single clear night to see it at its peak. I got to see C/2022 E3 (ZTF) (the most recent notable comet) but it was nowhere near the brightness level that NEOWISE or Hale-Bopp reached. It was only just barely naked-eye. Because it was mediocre, it was clear. Had it been spectacular, it would have been cloudy.

I have been into amateur astronomy since I was a kid, and have NEVER witnessed a meteor shower at its peak time because of either the moon or clouds. That's 25 years of religiously observing the night sky and not ONCE have I had skies that were clear and moonless during the peak of a meteor shower.

So I just go out and observe when the conditions are good and I don't pay much attention to astronomical events.

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ShelZuuz t1_jdb9q48 wrote

Just wait until you order new Astro equipment. The week while it ships you'll have perfectly clear skies.

The day it arrives - record cloudy days for 30 straight days - just enough to extend beyond your new equipment's return window.

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me2 t1_jdbibii wrote

I felt the pain in your words.

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HeroicPrinny t1_jdbx7aw wrote

It sounds like you live in a place that’s cloudy a lot.

I do too, but several hours drive to the other side of the mountains and its clear with dark skies. I was lucky to be on a road trip on that side during neowise and got some nice photos.

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