The morning and afternoon of Friday, 21 July 2023, I checked on the temporary air conditioner hot air duct repair that I did the previous evening. It was still in place with the inside temperature 23° cooler than it was the day before with the disconnected duct. After being clear for most of the day, clouds came in late afternoon. Saturday, 22 July, the duct was still OK. I purchased another 6" hose clamp to put on the duct over the duct tape. Sunday morning, 23 July, I attached the second hose clamp to go along with the first hose clamp and a piece of wire. Hopefully this will help the duct tape stay secured to the plastic hot air duct tube. I will continue to check the duct daily during this extended Excessive Heat Wave. I still plan to replace the duct at some point in the future.

Late Sunday afternoon received 0.06" rain.

Early Monday morning, 24 July, the lightning caused Bowl Creek Fire started near Oracle Junction, 12 miles south-southwest of Cassiopeia Observatory. Monday afternoon I took this photo showing three smoke plumes. Several nearby communities were placed under SET evacution status.

Click or tap on image for larger version

Some flames were visible from Oracle as rain approached the fire.

Unfortunately, the rain mostly fizzled out before it got to the fire but seemed to have helped somewhat to reduce the fire. By late Monday afternoon the fire had burned 1000 acres and was 10% contained by Monday night. I could see no flames Monday night.

Tuesday, 25 July, dawned clear, but clouds appeared mid-afternoon. The Bowl Creek Fire was 1156 acres and 75% contained. Fourteen years ago this day my SkyShed POD observatory was put up.

Wednesday, 26 July, the Bowl Creek Fire was 100% contained with no growth. Late in the afternoon a strong thunderstorm came through with wind, lightning, and rain. We received 0.13" rain. As the storm approached from the east a nice rainbow appeared, followed by an golden sunset.

Monday afternoon, 31 July, two thunderstorms came through (0.01" from the first one and 1.03" from the second one in about 30 minutes). After the second storm passed through I got this lightning shot looking towards the northwest.

The long period of cloudy nights that began 9 July has really hurt my Herschel 400 Project and tests with a new telescope accessory. There is a chance that the skies could clear in early August.

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