ClearDarkSky.com Has a New Home

If you've ever planned an observing session around a Clear Sky Chart, you're one of tens of thousands of astronomers who've relied on ClearDarkSky.com to answer the most fundamental question in our hobby: will tonight be clear?

Dark Dragons Astronomy is beginning the process of taking over stewardship of ClearDarkSky.com. Here's what that means, where the site came from, and where it's headed.

Attilla Danko and ClearDarkSky.com

ClearDarkSky.com was created in the early 2000s by Attilla Danko, a Canadian amateur astronomer who saw a gap no one else was filling. General weather forecasts tell you whether it'll rain, but they don't tell you about transparency, seeing, or whether thin high cloud will wash out your deep-sky targets. Attilla changed that.

The forecasts were made possible by a key collaboration: Allan Rahill, a meteorologist at the Canadian Meteorological Centre, developed specialized astronomy forecast algorithms that translate raw weather model data into predictions for cloud cover, atmospheric transparency, and seeing. Attilla took that data and built the Clear Sky Chart - a deceptively simple, color-coded forecast that distills complex atmospheric conditions into something any astronomer can read at a glance. Blue means go. White means stay inside. Look for columns of blue, and you've found your observing window.

What started as a personal project grew into an indispensable resource. Today, ClearDarkSky.com serves over 6,100 observing sites across North America - covering observatories, astronomy clubs, dark-sky preserves, star party locations, and backyard setups in every U.S. state, Canadian province, and parts of Mexico and the Bahamas.

Attilla's contribution to amateur astronomy was recognized with the naming of asteroid (161693) Attilladanko in his honor, along with multiple awards from the astronomy community. His work has quietly shaped countless nights of discovery.

After Attilla's passing, his wife Ingrid took on the enormous task of keeping ClearDarkSky.com running - maintaining the data pipeline, handling chart requests, and keeping the lights on for a community that depends on the site every clear night. Her dedication to preserving Attilla's legacy made this transition possible.

Why Us?

Dark Dragons Astronomy builds observatory automation systems - roll-off roof controllers, calibration equipment, and control systems used in private observatories, hosting facilities, and institutional sites. We're astronomers who happen to build products, and ClearDarkSky.com is a tool we've personally used for years to plan our own sessions.

When the opportunity came up, we said yes for a simple reason: we use this site, we have the technical background to maintain it, and we care about getting it right.

What's Staying the Same

The transition is underway, and we don't anticipate any downtime. The important stuff:

• ClearDarkSky.com remains free. The forecasts, charts, and tools you depend on will continue to be available at no cost. Non-negotiable.
• Your charts aren't going anywhere. All 6,100+ observing locations, including your bookmarked charts, will be preserved.
• Same data source. Clear Sky Charts will continue to be powered by Canadian Meteorological Centre forecast data - the same source that has driven the site for over two decades.
• Attilla's memorial stays. A dedicated space on the site will continue to honor Attilla Danko and his contribution to our community.

What's Next

Our first priority is continuity - making sure the site keeps running reliably and the forecasts keep flowing. We're not rushing to change things for the sake of change.

That said, the site's infrastructure is showing its age, and there's real opportunity to modernize it. We're planning to update the backend, improve mobile usability, and make the charts easier to embed and share. We'll share specifics as we work through them.

We Want to Hear from You

ClearDarkSky.com has always been a community resource. If you have ideas, feedback, or feature requests, we'd like to hear them. Reach us anytime through our contact page.

Clear skies, The Dark Dragons Astronomy Team