METHODOLOGY

How we verify astronomy guidance

View From Sky treats astronomy pages as planning aids, not guarantees. Event pages are based on cited astronomical records, and forecast tools are labeled as guidance because weather, local horizons and sky brightness can change quickly.

Source hierarchy

We prefer primary or institutional astronomy sources such as NASA, the International Meteor Organization and recognized astronomical datasets. Stable reference topics may support background definitions, but they do not replace an event record. The current source list and direct links are published in our source register.

Timing and uncertainty

Universal Time values are kept as source facts unless a page has a reviewed local conversion system. If a source does not provide a precise hour, we do not invent one. Pages encourage users to re-check official calendars before an event.

Quality checks

Review checks cover factual accuracy, information gain, content depth, practical usefulness and uniqueness. Low-value or duplicate drafts are not published. The score is an internal consistency check, not proof that every statement is correct, so citations and correction procedures remain necessary.

Forecast-tool calculation

The stargazing checker combines Open-Meteo forecast fields with local twilight and Moon-phase calculations. Cloud cover, humidity and surface visibility are measured or modeled weather inputs; transparency and seeing are estimates derived from available inputs and are labeled accordingly. Local lamps, terrain, smoke and rapidly changing weather are not fully captured.