Find Your City

The Importance of Local Forecasting

Why is a city-specific forecast so important for astronomy? The answer lies in the highly localized nature of weather patterns and the significant impact of light pollution. A generic regional forecast might predict clear skies, but a small, localized cloud bank over your specific town could ruin your observing session. Our tool queries weather data for the precise coordinates of the city you choose, providing a much more accurate and actionable forecast for your immediate area.

Dealing with Light Pollution

For observers in or near cities, light pollution is the single biggest challenge. The glow from streetlights, buildings, and cars scatters in the atmosphere, creating a bright sky that washes out faint objects like galaxies. While our forecast accounts for clouds, it's up to the observer to mitigate light pollution. Here are some tips:

• Find a Dark Site: Use light pollution maps online to find the darkest possible location within a reasonable driving distance. Even a short drive away from the city center can make a huge difference.
• Use a Light Pollution Filter: These specialized filters screw onto your eyepiece and are designed to block the specific wavelengths of light emitted by common streetlights, while allowing the light from nebulae and galaxies to pass through.
• Observe When Objects are High: Try to observe M88 when it is at its highest point in the sky (culmination). This means you'll be looking through the least amount of Earth's atmosphere and the densest part of the light pollution dome.