UTC CLOCK Monday 14 April 2025 :: 23:55:06

Monday 14 April 2025 :: 23:55:06

Added Mesonet Weather info (below) - Added 2011 Celestial Events Calendar (in Sky Check area)

Tucson Skycast has been designed to assist in defining the quality of the Tucson night sky for astronomical observations. The site also is designed to assist in advising about the predictable astronomical events for our area. Please refer to the "ABOUT" section (below) for credit for the data, images and products depicted on this site. Check the links in the Sky Check section below for pending weather and observation opportunities.

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT LONG RANGE TUCSON AREA FORECAST FROM INTELLICAST CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT MESONET OBSERVATIONS IN THE TUCSON AREA FROM NWS (NOAA)

Current Southwestern U.S. Vapor Image
Use this image as a reference to define the water vapor density in the atmosphere above the southwest. It will give an idea of pending conditions. Darker portions of the image is the areas with the least amount of water vapor and allows for the best visibility. Whiter areas indicate some loss of visibility. The very white areas indicate cloud cover thick enough to prohibit night observations.
University of Arizona Atmospheric Sciences

Current Radar
Use this image to define precipitation.
University of Arizona Atmospheric Sciences

Current Dewpoint Image
Use this image as a reference to define the current dewpoint. It will give an idea of likelihood of dew in the area.
Intellicast Weather

Frost or Freeze Image
Use this image as a reference to define the current frost or freeze warnings.
Intellicast Weather

Tomorrows expected low tempatures.

Intellicast Weather

Current Tempature Image
Use this image as a reference to define the current tempature. It will give an idea of pending conditions including the likelihood of dew in the area.
Intellicast Weather

Current Cloud Density Image
Use this image as a reference to define the current cloud density. Use this along withe the image at the top of the screen to help in choosing the best time to go observing.

GRAY IS BAD
WHITE IS BETTER
YELLOW IS GOOD

Intellicast Weather

Clear Sky Chart updated real time
Use the charts for more specific observation criteria. The legend at the bottom of the chart will help explain the color scheme. Use the link below for additional information of other locations around Tucson or Arizona. The Tucson and Saquaro National Monument charts differ in their proximity to light pollution.

Additional Locations in the Tucson Area

ClearDarkSky.com

Weather Chart
Use this chart to show current weather trends in the immediate area.
University of Arizona Atmospheric Sciences

KPASCA (Kitt Peak All Sky Camera)
Use this image to show the cloud cover and light pollution during the night. Compare the bright areas to the image below to locate the planets, bright stars and constellations visible at the moment. Kitt Peak uses 3 different filters during the night so the image may not always be as telling. Use the link below for more control and access to historical images and data from their site. This image is from 7000ft. When this image is very light it is daytime in Tucson.
Kitt Peak Observatory

Star Chart Above Tucson
Use this image to define the location of the constellations and planets as they move through the Tucson sky. This information is valid 24 hours a day. Some of the brightest objects are visible with binoculars or a telescope during the day.
Fourmilab.ch

Current Planetary Orbit
Use this image to see the alignment of the planets from the perspective of Earth. Since all of the planets generally orbit on the same plane this will indicate the opportunity for planetary observation.
Heavens Above

Current ISS Position
Use this image to show the proximity of the ISS to Tucson. Using the link below in the Sky Check section will help you find if this is a good evening or morning for seeing the ISS as it goes by.
Heavens Above

Current view from the University of Arizona Webcam
Use this image to see what the day sky looks like. It tends to be an indicator of pending weather and atmospheric conditions. When this image is dark it is night in Tucson.
University of Arizona Computer Sciences

Moonrise data as seen from Tucson

Additional Static and Remote Controllable Cameras in Tucson

The Andromeda Galaxy

Observer: STiMULi at 1/28/2009 06:00:00 PM

The Andromeda Galaxy

What you see here is a total of 25 photos stacked to get the most light possible.

I have so much to learn.

When I get as good as I can with what I have, my photos will get to be no better than 5 on a 10 scale from what is available to compare to.

This one is about a 1.5 out of 10

So you see the other galaxy to the left? How about the dust cloud? Can you see the beginnings of the spirals?

With the equipment I have 100 images or so stacked would make a decent image.

Each image is 15 seconds long and takes and additional 20 seconds post processing in the camera before it is sent to the computer. 100 photos would be about an hour and 20 minutes of photo time before I get to stack the photos and do additional post processing. This portion could take hours. In post processing I would use the 100 plus and additional 50 or so images to weed out the noise and camera issues.

The photos you see in books all have post processing done to them and I would say most are done with some big scopes. 99% are more than one photo unless they are from a spacebound scope.

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About Tucson Skies

(Please refer to the links under the descriptions for credit to the products and images presented on this page. This page serves only as a reference or portal. There is much more flexibility in data gathering and generally more information available to the observer by using these links.)

Most of the material on this site is resourced from the following entities:

University of Arizona Atmospheric Sciences

ClearDarkSky.com

Kitt Peak Observatory

Fourmilab.ch

Heavens Above

University of Arizona Computer Sciences

Intellecast Weather