Worth getting gear out

[Gerry Casa Christiana]

Hello all

Skies look like this tonight is it worth me doing some dso tonight or leave it for a better night? 

Cheers 

Gerry 

[Demonperformer]

I personally wouldn't because (1) it is quite a hassle setting up (I have to take everything down every time) and (2) I'm lazy!

That said, I guess it depends on what you use and how long it takes you to set up. If I was using a dob, for instance, I would probably give it a shot, depending on the forecast.

[Gerry Casa Christiana]

Yes I’m not lazy but at the same time I’m only doing dso stuff but haven’t been out for ages! Shame. I was hoping someone to say. It can be removed with flats  

[Demonperformer]

2 minutes ago, Gerry Casa Christiana said:

 I was hoping someone to say. It can be removed with flats  

If only!

[Demonperformer]

Just looked outside. Don't think I'll be out tonight either!

[Gerry Casa Christiana]

Let's hope a nice gentle wind blows it away fast! 

[alacant]

1 hour ago, Gerry Casa Christiana said:

leave it for a better night? 

If you don't set up now, it will be crystal clear all night. If you do, it will cloud over horizon to horizon!

[Stu Wilson]

I'e had the same happen all week.

Crystal clear. Set everything up.

Sit down in garage with laptop to begin alignments.

No signal.

Go outside look up.............

Clouds across entire sky :-(

[Gerry Casa Christiana]

It was ok last night I'm glad I didn't get all the gear out. It was a misty fine cloud over everywhere and even later it was the same. Been a strange winter for me here because usually the skies are quite good during the winter but this year I've had the gear out once! Not good. 

[noah4x4]

Last night, I carried out my scope fully assembled. A large expanse of sky to the south was clear including the whole of Orion. Did a Starsense auto-align; found "100 stars" in each direction. Alignment spot on, and my first GoTo dropped Rigel dead centre. Switched from visual to EAA Camera on Hyperstar, which takes about two minutes and retreated to my warm office. Hit my pre-set focus settings, then fine tuned focus on Rigel. Time elapsed now five minutes maximum. Hit GoTo Orion Nebula. Could just about make out its shape, but no amount of histogam and exposure adjustment improved it. Went outside to witness Rigel become the last star to be engulfed in dense cloud.  It was a miracle the camera picked up anything.  Recently, UK weather is unbelievably unpredictable. Most frustrating. 

[Gerry Casa Christiana]

Yes very frustrating and I know the moon is just around the corner and been waiting for a clear night. There was one Thursday just gone but yes you guessed it got invited somewhere and couldn't change the evening. Looked at the weather here rain now for 5 days. Lesson in patience 

[david_taurus83]

I don't bother setting up unless clear outside shows at least a 6 hour separation in clouds on the day. I also look at Sat24 to see the position of the clear spot moving in. It's pretty accurate on the day.