Lightning Storm of the Decade?

Pleasant Hill is getting smothered by a heat wave that is creating some funky weather akin to a nasty humid Florida summer afternoon. You hope the sky gods clear the clouds for a great nice of imaging the universe, but I'll gladly accept a savage lightning storm over Mount Diablo. 

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Down Year for the Perseids, but Mars Looked Good

The Perseids meteor was less than stellar this year, but Mars looked good rising from the east. Mars will be at its closest point to earth in October (about 36 million miles away). Its close proximity is the reason for the summer Mars mission launches. This window of opportunity happens once every 2 years.

In Search of Dark Skies...