Ad Astra Observatory

Believe me, there are worse things in the astronomy hobby than being so tired that you just can’t face another clear night.

Normally, when the moon is bright in the night sky, I quit doing astronomy for awhile, to let myself catch back up on sleep.

But this past bright moon, I spent a lot of time testing out the new mount, working out the kinks, making sure it would ready when the clear nights came.

Well, they’re here. It’s been clear for nearly a week straight. And although it’s still spring and so the scope has been dewing up in the wee hours, and sometimes this causes me not to have a postable image for a night or two, my hard drive is filling up with subframes, nonetheless.

Last night, there were some high, wispy clouds. I’m sure the scope would have had no trouble punching through them. But I am just too tired to work on a less-than-pristine night. In fact, I may be too tired on a pristine night, as well.

4026 is a lurking monster. Feed me ancient starlight, it whispers in my ear as I sleep.

It’s clear again tonight.