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Hawksmoor
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Very windy here on the East Coast tonight. Lots of clouds scudding about. Jupiter and Saturn are accompanying the full Moon in its low course across my southern horizon. I have been hanging out of our back bedroom window taking a few pictures. I'm sure this sort of eccentric behaviour will result in my acquisition of a dubious neighbourhood reputation.
Nighty night stargazers
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Yet another beautiful day on the east coast. Went for a walk along the dunes at Winterton on Sea. Watched the little terns fishing and return to shore beaks crammed with silver fish. Was watched in turn by a suspicious seal.
As the evening was clear I decided to photograph Jupiter and Saturn rising up over the sea from a vantage point on Corton Cliffs near Lowestoft. Got some nice widefield images with my Canon Dslr simply mounted on a standard tripod at f=18/mm. and ISO 1600 and 3200 - 10sec exposures. Will try stacking them tomorrow to bring out fainter background stars and increase signal to noise. Got back home just after midnight. Waxing Moon setting in the west was very red nestling in the trees near the horizon.
Night all - from George in bed in Lowestoft
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Beautiful night tonight. Been out in the garden with my bins. Summer Milky Way is now well above my hedge to the East. Summer Triangle nicely displayed. Hercules is directly above our backyard. There seems to be many more satellites in the sky. I thought I would test this by laying my DSLR on its back on the patio table and taking a series of 10x10 sec exposures at ISO3200 and f=18mm. I was amazed and rather dismayed by how many were picked up by my camera in such a short time. I also believe that I'm recording radar reflections from increased numbers of satellites with my sdr.
George saying goodnight to all stargazers from Lowestoft
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Lack of space ruled out a permanent observatory. I make do with a fixed pier and a shed from which all astro activities are taken forth. The shed and my astronomy blog are collectively known as the Jodrell Plank Observatory. Some time ago I started inventing and naming imaginary staff members - sad really! I quite liked 'cloud base' Best regards George
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Just took a quick handheld snap from the bedroom window. The extra elevation enabled my first views of Saturn and Jupiter this year, low over my neighbours' roofs. Oh for a clear view of the southern horizon!
George now tucked up in bed.
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Thanks Ruud, really interesting and thanks for the link. Best regards from George
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Thanks Fozzle for taking the time to look. It is my eldest grandson Felix's 16th birthday today, so in the absence of any other name, I decided to call it Felix Ridge. Best regards from George in Lowestoft
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Having recently imaged the Moon at first quarter in the vicinity of craters Atlas and Hercules, I was intrigued by the bright area of illumination nearby to Atlas. It did not appear to be mentioned in any rudimentary maps I possess so I wonder if any of you keen eyed lunar observers can help. Presumably it is sunlight reflected from a crater wall or similar. the small crater Atlas A is mentioned as having high albedo but this does not appear to be in the right location. I attach my image taken at f=2250mm. Any help in naming this feature would be appreciated. Regards George
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Thank you John! I will give it a go. Very kind of you to take the time to give me advice. Much appreciated. George -
Hi All The the aluminium dew shield on my ageing Meade 5000 127mm Apo has developed a less than smooth final 10mm of retraction. As I keep it in its travel case between sessions I need to fully retract the shield to fit it in. I believe it is held and locked in place by the blue ring at its base and some internal clip. I have been unable to find any details regarding removing said dew shield. I thought I would ask here for advice before I give it my usual plucky "I don't know what I'm doing but I might as well give it a go" approach. I'm just a tad wary as the dew shield is a bit close to the Objective Cell which was collimated in the factory and cannot be re- adjusted (no collimation screws). Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks George
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Watched the ISS go over Lowestoft followed by the much fainter Crew Dragon capsule. Could just see the latter and might have got a handheld image or two whilst hanging out the bedroom window.
Last night I set up my big refractor and captured some video clips of the Moon at first quarter (at f=2250mm and f=2700mm). Some time consuming processing awaits!
Lovely clear night this evening after a really beautiful sunny day. Nighty night stargazers.
George still socially isolated on the East Coast.
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Excellent image Reggie. I have had mixed weather so missed this. Thanks for sharing. Best regards George
