stolenfeather

You will make your way out of this mess I'm sure. In the end, the summer is about to begin and with some luck, the weather will be more cooperative. I'd be more concerned if it was autumn and the winter was fast approaching. Isabelle

I would love to see something like this but I'm afraid that I am not equipped for it. Isabelle

One would think that after last night with the famous "supermoon" , that many posts covering the event prevail but no. To tell you the truth, I must admit feeling quite bothered about the "hype" the news conjured up with their flashy headlines and promises of wonder. In the end, there was little to see without some sort of measurable reference that the moon was "bigger". The media did it again, promised something they knew little about, raised excitement and only delivered an illusion based on the power of suggestion. Yes, the moon was it its closest, this is called a perigree. That's it. However, there was a time last evening where I felt elated since for once, all eyes ventured above to the night sky and searched to be mesmerized. The feeling we all have as stargazers was shared by all (even if just for a moment)! I hope it continues to grow and does not wane once the headlines become yesterday's news. The moon is always beautiful. LUNAR WONDERS Liquid-less seas of rugged terrain with borrowed light, Bombarded, impacted, now cratered shadows in time. Daunting shine creating shadows in the subdued night. Waxing, waning, eclipsing, sometimes reigning sublime. Illness, destruction, the promise of monsters you bring are all creations, wishes of doom born within the mind. supreme darkness where feathered silence takes wing, Intriguing, unknown, a sense of wonder to all humankind. An attraction force, a pull far greater than we can surmise elevating, decreasing, reducing, creating the ocean tide. A magnetism, a scientific lust for discovery under disguise, we searched to land, to walk, make you an object of pride. But with all you've become and wonders you've captured, I stand captured almost enraptured in a sense of awe at the hope you may reveal many questions unanswered always humbled by your presence, I could never withdraw. Isabelle Last night, I took the following pictures of the moon not really because it was bigger, but because it was there : Isabelle

Isn't it wonderful when you're surrounded by others who share your interest and are eager to learn. I have such experiences with my students all the time but would love to have a more "adult audience" like you. Shine on! Isabelle

Oh my! Until now I have never thought of the batteries creating such havoc. Congratualtions to you for making sense out of all this havoc! Isabelle

Nice picture! Then again I love all images with the moon as a subject. Isabelle

Great quote! I just need a little music, any kind will do even the whisper of galaxies,.. :) Isabelle

You will get that pristine shot! I am sure of it. Then I will be the one saying, "I wish I could take pictures like you!" Isabelle

Hi there Todd! My first tries with Saturn were very disappointing. Over time,..many many times,... I used a point and shoot camera and just "got lucky". I also used a 2X Barlow and tweeked it with Picasa (of all programs,..). You know, when I think about it. the less complicated I am with the equipment and the less "I want it" the better the image! In the end, I try not to spoil an entire night trying to obtain "that one picture". I have fun and if something quasi-interesting comes up when it comes to images then I celebrate! Isabelle

April 21st, 2012 The peak of the Lyrids settled in on this night which boasted a dozen or more meteors per hour. Did I see any meteors? Yes, I saw a couple but I have to admit that I wasn't really looking. According to me the "real show" was a little bit further,... I made my way outside after fixing my TELRAD which had become unattached at one side since the glue wore off with time. I realigned my viewfinder using bright Venus. When I stopped fumbling in the dark and actually glimpsed at our shiny neighbour I was aghast as to it's clarity! It's crescent, illuminated at 33%, was spellbinding! There have been other nights when it's phase brightened up the sky to a greater degree but tonight the view was extremely sharp! Our other neighbour, Mars, was very present on this night and offered a spectacular view as well. I checked the humidity levels wondering if it was low but it registered at 81%. At levels this high one would believe that my transparency (how steady the sky is) would be affected but no,... everything was pristine! I skipped across the sky to Saturn that showed a definite hint of yellow with a whisper of an orange tinge colour. I told my husband, Steven. to come out and look. He came out in his shorts and t-shirt but didn't stay long since the temperature was flirting dangerously close to -10 degrees Celsius. I looked up in the direction of Lyra a couple of times during the night for signs of meteors but there was another constellation that beckoned my attention: Virgo. This beautiful constellation hides so many wonderful gems! Knowing full well that it was a new moon and that light would not be a problem, I pointed my telescope towards the regions of Vindemiatrix. Why there? You see, herein lies the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies! It is possible to point your telescope anywhere in this region and stumble upon a galaxy. I sat back mesmerized. We are indeed specks of dust in comparison aren't we? I guess you now all understand why I sign all of my astronomy journals with the same quote: " Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies Tongue-tied and twisted, just an earth-bound misfit, I" I located, M59 and M60 which are elliptical galaxies estimated to be about 55 million of light years away, each holding billions of stars! All I could see was a hazy blur, a cloud, something that looked "not quite like a star" but more so! Tell me,.. Have you ever danced with the galaxies while a couple of meteors streaked by? Did you know that the planets were watching you all along? Isabelle

April 21st, 2012 The peak of the Lyrids settled in on this night which boasted a dozen or more meteors per hour. Did I see any meteors? Yes, I saw a couple but I have to admit that I wasn't really looking. According to me the "real show" was a little bit further,... I made my way outside after fixing my TELRAD which had become unattached at one side since the glue wore off with time. I realigned my viewfinder using bright Venus. When I stopped fumbling in the dark and actually glimpsed at our shiny neighbour I was aghast as to it's clarity! It's crescent, illuminated at 33%, was spellbinding! There have been other nights when it's phase brightened up the sky to a greater degree but tonight the view was extremely sharp! Our other neighbour, Mars, was very present on this night and offered a spectacular view as well. I checked the humidity levels wondering if it was low but it registered at 81%. At levels this high one would believe that my transparency (how steady the sky is) would be affected but no,... everything was pristine! I skipped across the sky to Saturn that showed a definite hint of yellow with a whisper of an orange tinge colour. I told my husband, Steven. to come out and look. He came out in his shorts and t-shirt but didn't stay long since the temperature was flirting dangerously close to -10 degrees Celsius. I looked up in the direction of Lyra a couple of times during the night for signs of meteors but there was another constellation that beckoned my attention: Virgo. This beautiful constellation hides so many wonderful gems! Knowing full well that it was a new moon and that light would not be a problem, I pointed my telescope towards the regions of Vindemiatrix. Why there? You see, herein lies the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies! It is possible to point your telescope anywhere in this region and stumble upon a galaxy. I sat back mesmerized. We are indeed specks of dust in comparison aren't we? I guess you now all understand why I sign all of my astronomy journals with the same quote: " Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies Tongue-tied and twisted, just an earth-bound misfit, I" I located, M59 and M60 which are elliptical galaxies estimated to be about 55 million of light years away, each holding billions of stars! All I could see was a hazy blur, a cloud, something that looked "not quite like a star" but more so! Tell me,.. Have you ever danced with the galaxies while a couple of meteors streaked by? Did you know that the planets were watching you all along? Isabelle

The ultimate scope set-up,.. that sounds like a wonderful project to me! I'm afraid that I'm not there yet since things are a little complicated where I teach. Since it is in a native town and I am non-native, the house isn't mine. Building is limited and the children have little respect for the belongings of others. Maybe one day,.. Isabelle

Clear skies Nick! Isabelle

Got any rocks? Yeah,.. enough said. I have issues with the baseball floodlights near the arena. They are usually only used during the summer when I am away camping but this year, some major repairs were done to the arena which needed extra security. Those stupid lights flooded my sky all winter! Planets were not hard to locate but most deep-sky objects were washed out! :( Isabelle

Yeah,.. the clouds always roll in when the night promises to be perfect. I prefer a glass of wine myself. :) Isabelle

Very nice equipment here. makes one want to drool a little. I love your pictures! The sun should have been more active no? Mind you, I myself have never ventured close to the sun and prefer night gazing myself. Isabelle

Unfortunately, the moon is going to be with us in high gear for the following nights but rest assured that Saturn will be with us long enough to capture those Precious views" Isabelle

Hope you see Saturn soon Jason! Isabelle Sorry for the tardiness of my reply everyone! Clear skies! Isabelle

Yeah, my view of Saturn also was quite low to the horizon. I guess we need to be patient as it climbs higher in the sky in the coming months. Isabelle

James, Your comment managed to bring a smile to my lips after the most hectic day! I have to say that I do love this particular picture of the moon and was actually thinking of having it framed. Up till now, I simply thought that I was being overly positive but you have given me the second opinion I was looking for. I love writing and when I create a blog about the stars, the passion simply takes over. I am overjoyed that you enjoy reading my posts. My astro fires,... burn without stopping and to this I wish you c;ear skies! Isabelle

Thanks Pat! Steven and I are doing fine and you seem as enthusiastic as always. Clear skies! Isabelle

I do live quite "up there" so I have to receive some kind of bonus for being in the cold! Ha! Ha! Thank you for the compliments. I had to wait quite late in the night to see Saturn but it was well worth the wait! Isabelle

It is indeed very small but you have captured it well since it can be quite difficult. I for one have been incapable of anything as remotely successful :( Congrats! Isabelle

Aha! I see you have received a TELRAD. I told you it would make things easier on you! :) Isabelle

Aha! Yes! A dob is tough on your knees! It was like this for me until I received a much appreciated gift, a astronomy chair! You can see it in my profile picture. It will do wonders trust me! Isabelle