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Clearest skies since spring fine-tune rare planet event
Brett Dutschke, Thursday February 11, 2016 - 15:51 AEDT
Much of southeastern Australia is experiencing its sunniest week since spring and skies have been staying clear at night, effectively giving planet gazers a fine-tuned view of a rare feature.
For the first time in a decade, the five nearest planets have formed in a line and with help from the clearest skies since spring, viewing conditions couldn't be better.
During the past week, the weather pattern changed - a high pressure system and dry air took over from frequently developing low pressure troughs and humid air.
Dry air and a lack of cloud does not necessarily mean skies are clear. Dust can be blown and lifted high into the skies from strong and gusty winds, but the past week has been relatively calm, keeping dust from blocking the sky view.
As a result, much of NSW has been largely cloud-free since late last week. Sydney is averaging 10-to-11 hours of sunshine per day, making it the sunniest week since at least September. Wagga Wagga is experiencing its clearest week since at least November, averaging more than 12 hours of sunshine per day.
Looking ahead, today and Friday will be the cloudiest days of the week, forming from the northwest to the southeast as a weak trough triggers showers and storms. On Saturday skies will clear up as the trough loses its ability to cause showers and storms, making Saturday night the next best planet and star viewing night.
A new moon will help keep the view of the planets and stars fine-tuned so much that you may detect that elusive Venus cast shadow.
- Weatherzone
© Weatherzone
2016
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