AndyMac

Methinks we should start a poll about John Dobson............

Naah - haven't been to the one down Windmill Road, Carl. Can't say I'm a big noodles fan.

Welcome to the asylum Rob. Look forward to seeing some of your images in due course.

Astroman and myself have discussed Sir Patrick Moore extensively on another forum, in the past. It's safe to say that we both have opinions on the gentleman, which, of course, we're both perfectly entitled to have. Nuff said.......

As a small child I always had a fascination for the planets - in particular for Mars. It was probably several books by Patrick Moore that increased my interest in the hobby & it has remained there ever since.

Great detail in those shots James. Focus remains really sharp. Well done.

Yes, excellent work as always James. Superb, tack-sharp focus and lovely contrast. Well done.

WELCUM AND ENJOY.

What an excellent array of pics there James. Some very nice close ups & some equally stunning panoramic shots. You can see that autumn has very much arrived in that splendid park of yours. Hope you & the family had a great day out there (by the looks oof the scenery, you must have done). Thanks for taking the time to post them for us all to see.

Only to put something in the dustbin. Does that count? Same with the cloud cover here, too.

Oh I'm sure they'll 'do their bit' daz...........guaranteed! Press Reload/Refresh to watch animation again.

[move]*ON 3 NOVEMBER 2005*[/move] The two inner planets reach greatest eastern (evening) elongations just three hours apart. At 47 degrees from the Sun, Venus is bright and easy to locate, although low in the Southwest. Mercury, just 24 degrees from the Central Luminary, is more difficult. On Friday night, the Crescent Moon is halfway between them.

[move]*ON 1ST NOVEMBER 2005*[/move] Of course you cannot see it tonight, and probably not tomorrow night, but look for it as a thin Crescent in the western skies after sunset on Thursday or Friday.

[move]*ON 31 OCTOBER 2005*[/move] The geometry of Earth’s orbit is favorable (well, at least more favorable than usual) to see the Zodiacal Light (False Dawn) produced by sunlight reflecting off particles in the Earth’s orbit. These conditions will persist for about two weeks, after which moonlight can interfere.

[move]*ON 30 OCTOBER 2005*[/move] Yea! Set clocks back in an hour for most locations in the U.S., Canada & Europe.

[move]*ON 29 OCTOBER 2005*[/move] At this time Mars is 43,135,000 miles (69,418,000 kilometers) from Earth. This is not as close as the famous “closest approach” in 2003, but closer than the average of about 49 million miles. (Opposition is on Nov. 7.) The next few weeks will be a great time to observe Mars.

[move]*ON 24 OCTOBER 2005*[/move] If you are a night owl, look for it rising well after midnight. If you are an early-riser, check it out in the southern sky before and even after dawn.

[move]*ON 21 OCTOBER 2005*[/move] The Orionid Meteor Shower, unfortunately hampered by a bright Moon. Look high to the South. The radiant for these meteors is to the upper left of Betelgeuse, near the feet of Gemini.

[move]*ON 18 OCTOBER 2005*[/move] The Moon rises about 5 degrees above bright Mars this evening, with the Pleiades star cluster about 12 degrees to the lower left. The Moon passes very near (less than 2 degrees) from the Pleiades on Wednesday night, but the bright moonlight detracts from the view.

[move]*ON 17 OCTOBER 2005*[/move] Having brought in the crops under the September Harvest Moon, farmers now become hunters in the all-night illumination of the Harvest Moon. A predawn partial eclipse is poorly timed for most North American observers. The early, penumbral phase, beginning at 5:51 a.m. EDT, darkens the Moon too little to be easily noticed, and the partial phase doesn’t begin until 7:34 a.m. West Coast observers, as well as those in Alaska, Hawaii, Eastern Asia and Australia, have a better chance. At maximum eclipse (8:03 a.m.), less than 7 percent of the Moon’s surface will be o

[move]*ON 16 OCTOBER 2005*[/move] Although this occurs during daylight hours, the two appear only about a degree and a half apart in the southwestern sky at dusk. Antares is to the lower left of the much brighter Venus.

[move]*ON 15 OCTOBER 2005*[/move] Mars is the brightest object in the current night sky, other than the Moon and Venus.

Superb Rog. As you say, more outer nebulosity. But the golden feature has to be that greatly focussed & detailed 'bubble' itself. Another winner, by far.

Good man Carl. Got to say that I don't think I've ever been in any of the restaurants up Headington.

Very nice James. Some good nebulosity captured. Excellent core detail - and nice round stars. You're getting very good at this lark!