I knew this would be a close call ... after some wonderful viewing last night (only to be defeated in the end by dew) I had hoped for a repeat tonight. It was clear as a bell all day, until the clouds started moving in around 2 p.m. When I left work, it was very cloudy and dismal ... and so was I - there would be no observing tonight. However, after arriving home and spending a half hour splitting firewood, I noticed that the sky was clearing! Against all odds, I sent up the 8" LX200, did a quick and dirty polar alignment, got the CCD gear out and ... looked up to see it all cloudy again. Always optimistic, I kept the setup intact until 6:30, when it was dark and getting colder, the kids were over, etc. etc. I tore the setup down and put everything in its place, hoping for clear skies over the weekend.

I just walked outside a moment ago and noticed it's clearing up again. Mars and the moon both are bright overhead. But I think I'm done for tonight. Here's hoping for clearer skies over the weekend (knock on wood) ...