have planned to make a preparational observing session (...) on one of the days within Dec.28-30 or Jan.01-02.
Well, yesterday I have done some preparations for the upcoming eclipse. Though haven't still completely adjusted my telescope - had only a few minutes of clear (but extremely hazy) skies at sunset.
Despite clear skies and -10...-6C have been forecasted for Dec.29/30 night and Dec.30 until evening, in reality it turned out worse. Whole night the sky was 99% clouded with a thin but not transparent layer of Stratus - what a disappointment! And all next day long it was the same - 99% clouded with Stratus, however Sun was visible through it for ca. 10% of the time - that might be called a success if happens on the eclipse day!
You can see check out some pictures at my
blog. It may seem ridiculois to somebody, but I take into account that I would be probably observing the eclipse during (or just before/after) the snowfall. Actually, it happened to me once - exactly a year ago (partial lunar eclipse 31.12.2009).
Another point I was afraid of was the functionality of my laptop in winter outdoors conditions (-7 degress today, possible -15 on the eclipse day). I grabbed a quick-handmade thermobag, and it worked fine in my opinion: the temperature inside the bag was +7C. At the same time, one of the AA batteries have frozen - and became working only after putting it indoors.
