Cloudy Nights are no longer a problem: 10 Tips for Stargazing on Overcast Evenings

Cloudy nights have always been considered the main enemy of observational astronomers and astrophotographers. When instead of a bright scattering of stars overhead, there is a dense, impenetrable haze of clouds, it seems that all you can do is put away your telescope and camera and wait for the weather. But you should not give up!

Clouds at night will not be a hindrance if you follow our advice. This article is a practical guide to help you practice your favorite astronomical hobby in any weather.

Cloudy Nights: Challenges and Opportunities for Stargazers

First, let’s turn to physics and find out why clouds block our view of the starry sky. The reason is the scattering of light in the atmosphere.

Clouds are made up of many small water droplets or ice crystals that are comparable in size to the wavelength of light. This leads to multiple scattering of all colors of the visible spectrum, so even a bright star or nebula through the clouds seems dim and blurred. At the same time, the lower the clouds are to the ground, the denser they are and the less light they let through.

Urban lighting also contributes: clouds reflect the light of streetlights, making the sky brighter and blocking the already dim light of celestial objects. However, far from populated areas, dense clouds can sometimes play a positive role by blocking the diffused city light and making the sky darker.

Can Telescopes See Through Clouds? 

What about telescopes, you ask? Can’t they handle a cloudy night sky? We have to disappoint you. Conventional optical telescopes work in the visible spectrum, and dense clouds at night are an insurmountable obstacle. Some amateur astronomers use high-sensitivity video cameras or electron optical converters to see through thin clouds, but these are still inferior to clear-weather observations.

Of course, there are also radio and infrared telescopes, which do not depend on light because they record radiation at other wavelengths that can penetrate clouds and even the atmosphere. Simply put, an infrared telescope records heat from objects, while a radio telescope records the radio waves they emit. But these telescopes won’t give you the pleasure of visual observation. Rather, they take measurements of the starry sky rather than observing it. In addition, such equipment is usually professional, difficult to handle, and expensive, which makes it not very common among cloudy nights astronomy enthusiasts.

But even if you don’t have a powerful telescope, misty night is not a judgment for the star observer. It can sometimes offer unique opportunities! For example, bright planets such as Venus and Jupiter can be seen through thin and high (puffy) clouds. The clouded sky is also an ideal time to see lunar halos and silvery (mesospheric) clouds, rare atmospheric phenomena that occur when light is reflected in cloud ice crystals.

What to Do on a Cloudy Night? Productive Alternatives

But let’s imagine that the night sky is not happy at all, visibility is zero, and observation is practically impossible. What to do? We hasten to reassure you. Even in such a situation, there is always a backup plan of action for the keen astronomer.

Planning for Clear Skies: Preparing for the Next Observation

Effective planning is the key to successful astronomical observations, and a cloudy night is the perfect time to approach your next stargazing session in full force.

Check the weather forecast

Checking the weather forecast is the first rule for stargazers to find the best time to observe. Pay attention not only to the absence of cloudiness but also to such factors:

• seeing: good transparency of atmosphere means that the air is stable and does not distort visibility.
• sky quality/darkness: the darker the sky, the better objects with weak luminosity can be seen. Pay attention to the phase of the Moon. The closer to the full moon, the more the Moon’s light will obstruct a good view. The best time to observe the distant cosmos is on nights near the new moon.
• humidity: excessive humidity can cause condensation on the optics and impair visibility.
• wind speed: if you plan to observe outdoors, try to choose windless nights – strong winds can make it difficult to use a telescope or camera on a tripod.

Match these factors with upcoming astronomical events that can be observed at this time of year and from your location, and choose the best combination of conditions.

Choose the best place to observe

Two factors play a key role in choosing the best place to observe the stars and planets: the darkest possible sky and an open horizon. Choose open, unobstructed locations away from large population centers, industrial areas, lighted roads, and other sources of artificial light or smoke.

If light pollution cannot be completely avoided, try to find a location where the main light sources are hidden behind the horizon or are located in the opposite direction from the part of the sky you plan to observe. Keep in mind that modern LED lights with cool white light scatter more in the atmosphere than older lamps with yellow light.

And, of course, it should be a safe place that is easy to get to in the dark and where it is comfortable to stay. It is better if you are with a partner, but if you can’t find company, be sure to let your family and friends know where you are in case you need emergency help.

Prepare the equipment

Make sure your observer’s arsenal is fully prepared. Check your telescope or camera for proper operation, clean your optics, charge your batteries, and stock up on filters that can improve the visibility of certain objects (e.g., lunar filters, planetary filters, and light filters to combat light pollution).

Download star maps or make sure your app is working correctly and has up-to-date data. It is not superfluous to have a voice recorder or a pen with a notepad and a flashlight with a red light, as ordinary white light destroys the eyes’ adaptation to darkness.

Polish up your theory

So, you are fully prepared for your observations, but there are still a couple of cloudy nights left before the next stargazing session. Don’t waste them. Expand your knowledge of astronomy. Study the Universe: nebulae, galaxies, and other celestial bodies. Read specialized literature, watch documentaries. This will make your future observations more informed and interesting.

Improve your astrophotography skills (for those who are keen)

If you are engaged in astrophotography, take time to improve your knowledge and skills: study special programs and improve your old images with their help.

For beginners, the free utilities DeepSkyStacker, Siril and GIMP (an alternative to Photoshop for basic post-processing) are excellent. For more advanced astrophotographers, we recommend Astro Pixel Processor and PixInsight. RegiStax will be the best choice for working with images of planets and the Moon.

Crafting Masterpieces: How to Photograph Cloudy Night Sky Wallpaper and Capture Stunning Astroscapes

If cloudy nights are dragging on, and your hands are reaching for your camera, … don’t hold back! Every photographer is an artist at heart, and clouds can add dynamics, texture, and drama to nighttime astroscapes, making them truly mesmerizing. It’s certainly not an easy task, but the more fun you will have with the result.

Here are some techniques that will allow you to create an interesting and beautiful cloudy night sky wallpaper.

Blurred clouds

This technique will produce clouds blurred into streaks due to motion. Make the following settings:

• exposure time 15 sec-2 min,
• f-stop f/4-f/8, ISO 100-800, 
• focus on the foreground or infinity.

Experiment, and you will turn the clouds in your frame into soft, picturesque streaks or even swirls in the night sky, even if you can barely see the stars through the dense cloud cover.

City lights and clouds

These settings allow you to illuminate clouds with light from artificial objects or the Moon.

• exposure time 5-30 sec, 
• f-stop f/2.8-f/5.6, 
• ISO 400-1600, 
• white balance “Tungsten” or “Fluorescent”.

As a result, you can get amazing light spots, halos, or smooth transitions of tones in the sky in the frame.

Silhouettes on a light background

Use clouds as a light background for dark subjects. Silhouettes of buildings, trees, or hills can add depth and interest to the photo.

• exposure time  from 1/2 sec to 5 sec (depending on the brightness of the clouds),
• f-stop f/5.6-f/11, 
• ISO 100-400, 
• silhouette focus.

Position dark objects in the foreground so that they balance the dynamics of the cloudy sky.

IMPORTANT: In all cases, be sure to use a tripod for frame stability and a wide-angle lens with a focal length of 10 mm to 35 mm to cover as much of the sky and foreground as possible. Experiment with settings to find the best results. Shoot in RAW for flexible processing.

Virtual Stargazing and Remote Observing

Specialized stargazing apps are another alternative to keep an astronomer busy on a cloudy night. With their help, you can virtually travel through the cosmos, study constellations, planets, nebulae, and galaxies, and learn their characteristics and location on the celestial sphere. We recommend Star Walk 2, Stellarium Mobile, Sky Safari, Sky Tonight, and SkyView.

Another interesting feature is access to live broadcasts from observatories around the world. CHARA Array, NOIRLab, ATNF, and Keck Observatory all broadcast online, allowing you to watch current celestial events in real time and even remotely control your telescopes via the Internet, allowing you to get astronomical data and images even when the sky over your region is completely clouded over.

Engaging with the Astronomy Community Online

And finally, one last lifehack for how to stay connected to the Universe in all weathers – become part of the astronomy community online.

There are many forums and interest groups online where amateur and professional astronomers from around the world socialize, share their observations, ask questions, and discuss the latest astronomical discoveries. Here are the resources we recommend joining to keep you in the center of the action:

Forums & Communities:

• Cloudy Nights: one of the largest and most reputable forums for astronomy enthusiasts.
• AstroMart: a popular forum also known for its astronomy equipment trading platform.
• Reddit (r/astronomy): a large and active amateur community on the popular Reddit platform.

Online events

Websites of well-known observatories and communities that regularly host Public Events or Virtual Tours:

• Keck Observatory
• European Southern Observatory (ESO)
• Royal Astronomical Society (RAS)
• Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP)

These resources will be valuable venues where you can not only have a fun time on a cloudy night but also learn a lot of new information about the cosmos, discuss with like-minded people, and share your own experiences.

When the Universe is Always Within Reach

So, as you may have seen, even long, cloudy nights are no reason to put your favorite hobby on hold. For a keen astronomer or astrophotographer, there is always something to do, regardless of the weather outside. We hope you found our tips helpful, and may every cloudy night be an opportunity to learn something new and prepare for exciting new stargazing experiences.