Weather
The Weather section on the ground station detail page provides real-time weather data, forecasts, and astronomical information for the station’s geographic location. This data supports observation planning by helping you assess current and upcoming conditions.
Current Conditions
The current weather card displays live conditions at the ground station location, including:
- Temperature - Current temperature reading
- Wind - Wind speed and direction
- Conditions - General weather description (clear, cloudy, rain, etc.)
Weather Map
An interactive map centered on the ground station’s location provides a visual overview of regional weather patterns. Use the map to assess cloud cover and weather systems in the area surrounding the station.
Hourly Forecast
The hourly forecast provides a 48-hour prediction of weather conditions at the ground station. Use this view to identify upcoming clear-sky windows for optical observations or assess conditions for planned satellite passes.
8 Day Forecast
The extended daily forecast covers 8 days, showing high and low temperatures, precipitation probability, and general conditions for each day. This longer-range view supports advance scheduling of observation campaigns.
Sun and Moon
The Weather section also includes sun and moon data for the ground station’s location:
| Data | Description |
|---|---|
| Sunrise | Time the sun rises above the horizon |
| Sunset | Time the sun sets below the horizon |
| Moonrise | Time the moon rises above the horizon |
| Moonset | Time the moon sets below the horizon |
| Moon Phase | Current phase of the moon (new, crescent, quarter, gibbous, full) |
Moon phase data is particularly useful for optical observations. A bright moon increases sky background noise, which can reduce the effectiveness of optical satellite tracking.
Use Cases
Weather monitoring supports:
- Observation planning - Identifying clear-sky windows for optical satellite tracking
- Cloud cover assessment - Evaluating whether conditions are suitable for planned observations
- Schedule optimization - Using forecasts to schedule observation sessions during favorable conditions
- Go/no-go decisions - Quickly checking current conditions before initiating an observation session