Jump to content

NLCbanner2024.jpg.2478be509670e60c2d6efd04834b8b47.jpg

Of BBQ's, Satellites and stuff....

Paul M

By Paul M
in The Astro Lounge

Recommended Posts

Paul M

Paul M

Posted
Posted

Being a lovely warm day and us being up at our caravan in Cumbria, yesterday was always going to be a BBQ day.

It's all about timing and who makes the first move. For once it wasn't us!

Friends informed us that they'd host this one so we could relax :)

It was a clear evening and from their pitch we had good views to the North, West and South.

The crowd know me well and before darkness fell I was being asked if the "Play Station" was out tonight?

I knew it, The Space Station, was going to be visible around midnight as was ATV-4, Albert Einstein.

Using Satellite Safari I got the timings for Einstein first and announced where it would be in the sky. No one ever believes that the little yellow star I point out is actually Saturn. But I eventually convinced them and told them that Einstein would be passing just over it soon.

They weren't disappointed.. It's like I'm a magician or something! :D

Next up was ISS. I explained that the two were playing catch up but were on opposite sides of the planet at the moment. A nice high and bright pass. It never disappoints. I really must be a magician !!

As we discussed the pleasures of having a alcohol drenched BBQ under a beautiful clear sky I noticed a tell-tale bright feature in the twilight on the NNE horizon. I wouldn't have noticed it without the small cumulus clouds being silhouetted against it.

I pointed it out to the crowd, one of whom said he'd noticed it and though it was the moon rising!

A discussion of NLC's followed.

It slowly grew brighter and eventually became a very nice little display. It increased in size and brightness and the foreground cumulus drifted away revealing some nice structure to the NLC.

A second pass of Einstein at half past midnight brought the socializing to an end.

It may have been advertised as a BBQ but for me it was a marvelous naked eye Star Party! I'm sure everyone else appreciated the extra dimension that a clear sky brings to these events!

As I got back to our caravan at about 1am I took a couple of shots of the NLC. I didn't set the tripod up and just rested the camera on the decking hand rail:

post-28650-0-59454200-1370781676_thumb.j

Link to comment
Share on other sites
dtr42

dtr42

Posted
Posted

noctilucent clouds [nlc] which are very high about 50 miles up, form when ice crystals collect on dust in the upper atmosphere. first reported in the late 1800's possible causes , industrial processes.global warmiing or even meteor dust .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.