16 March 2006

Blogger ate another of my posts. This time it didn't even publish it first. This the second blog thay have done this to.

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Observing Location	TotL
Observational Period	2100-2145 EST
Atmospheric Conditions	CSC and NOAA were at odds today over the forecast. CSC was forecasting that it would be clear around 1700 EST, which it was, and would then get cloudy. Clear Sky Clock graphic NOAA was saying 2% cloud cover at 1700 EST and it would drop even lower through the same time tomorrow. Clear Sky Clock graphic It looked very clear when I went downtown for a meeting tonight. On getting out of the meeting I looked up and could see stars between the buildings. When I got to TotL there was at least 50% cloud cover. There were sky worms everywhere and just plane old clouds. The sky to the north was obscured but there were holes in the clouds to the south and I suspect that since the weather station is at Belvedere Castle, south of TotL, a check of the NOAA observed conditions for Central Park will show that they were better at the time than I observed. I stood around for 45 minutes watching the stars as they appeared in the holes in the clouds. It wasn't terribly cold but there was a moderate wind. I think CSC was dead on tonight. NOAA is now saying 20% cloud cover but there was more cloud there than on previous nights when they say 40% so they are the ones who were way off tonight. I would call it a Mag 4 sky (between the clouds) tonight. Time Wind Dir. Speed Gusts Vis. Sky Temp. 2051 EST Var 3 -- 10 m Clr 39°F 2151 EST Var 6 mph -- 10 m Clr 39°F
Instruments	I had the Canons with me but never got them out.
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

I saw Leo for the first time this season. At various times it was clear enough to pick out all the major stars. The kite of Bootes was laying over on its side just above the trees and I could see three stars on the lower side of the kite as well as the tail star.