10/07/2007 - OBSCURED BY CLOUDS
Yes, it's a great CD (Pink Floyd's "Obscured by Clouds") but it's not a picnic for the stargazer. After having what could best be called a wimpy summer, fall has gripped the Seattle area and refused to let go, squeezing tighter and tighter and sending more and more weather systems our way. This is that time of year when frustration can get the better of you - there's a clear sky (of half of one) so you rush to set up the telescope and by the time you get it aligned, the clouds have magically appeared and the night is shot.
Several times in the last week, I've walked outside to see stars shining brightly overhead. Once at about 10 p.m. on a work night and another at 4 a.m. the next day. I did set up the LX200 at 10 p.m. but as it was the first time I had ever set up the telescope, I got hung up on the procedure of setting it up and never had a chance to target anything. That said, I did peek through the ocular and was extremely impressed by the optical clarity. The stars were perfect pinpoints, contrasting brightly against the very black sky. Apparently, the light pollution filter is working.
The next morning the moon was shining brightly overhead. I haven't seen the moon in ages, probably since the August 28 lunar eclipse. Again, I was tempted to set up the telescope but I could tell that even though the moon was bright, seeing conditions were deteriorating quickly. Indeed, the sky was completely socked in by a thick layer of clouds by 5 a.m.
So meanwhile here we sit - you, me and a whole horde of other backyard astronomers, just waiting for the skies to clear. In the meantime, I'm working in the observatory to build shelving, organize and get the 12" LX90 GPS polar aligned. There is no open view to the north so it's got to be done manually. The next clear night (February???) will be spent drift aligning the LX90 ... my first astrophoto through the new LX200 will just have to wait. (March???)