The Moon and More

Last night my whole family fell asleep early so I took the opportunity to get out side and play with my telescope some more.  Before that happened I had peeked outside to see if I could find Mercury as the sun was setting. I was surprised at how bright it was and how easy it was to find. Unfortunately I did not have a lot of time to linger and enjoy the site.

After dark my first target was the large bright moon. It was the first time I actually had success with my telescope tracking an object. Tracking the moon may not be all that impressive but I am taking small steps right now. I also took the time to try out my #80A Blue filter. With the full moon it toned down the brightness and some of the features really popped out.  In particular I focused in on Crater Plato.

I was planning to take a look at Mars next but I was starting to get cold so I decided to set my sights to the Orion Nebula. Because of Orion’s location in the sky I had to set up in my driveway.  My backyard provides a lot of shelter from light pollution, my drive way does not. There is a street lamp only 30 feet away from me and of course the entire neighborhood had their lights on drawing a disapproving look from Al Gore. Even with all these obstacles there in the middle of my eyepiece was the faint form of the Orion Nebula. Found, I might add without the use of my telescope’s autostar system.  I was able to view it for a while even with changing eyepieces and putting on my LPR filter. I lost it after I put my 26 mm eyepiece in. At that point I was having difficulty using my hands to I decided to call it quits. Still I very successful night of viewing.

Where are the pictures you ask? I tried but with my recently arrived camera adapter but I was unable to get my camera to focus.  I quickly gave up and just decided to enjoy the view. What makes my camera great for taking pictures of my sons playing soccer makes it absolutely craptastic for astrophotography. I think I will start saving my pennies for a DSI.

More of the Moon

Before the long weekend started I decided to go try out some of the advice Ed gave me about taking shots of the moon. I think it worked pretty decently but there is still room for improvement. I just need to get a little more familiar with my camera I think. As for the long weekend, it was hazy during the day and overcast at night. No good viewing to speak of. I did get a chance to look at the daytime moon with my 4 year old son. With the haze it was not much to look at but it was a good way to get us outside. He was more interested than I thought he would be. Although he did have more fun playing with the eyepieces than he did looking at the moon.

The down time gave me the chance to try and convince my wife that my current telescope is entirely inadequate and that I should buy new one. Much to my shock she agreed. Now I can start the process of saving my pennies and kicking tires.

Eclipse

I thought this was impossible but I was proven wrong. At about 8:30PM last night the clouds seem to magically disappear from the sky. A few hours later when I went the bed the skies were still completely clear. I set my alarm and hoped for the best. At 3:00AM I woke up to the beginning of the eclipse. I quickly gathered my observing tools and headed outside. It was pretty cold out. Not much more the +5 Celsius. Even so I was just happy to be able to see the eclipse. It was a perfect night for viewing. The Moon was high in the sky to the southwest. I was easily able to watch the event in the comfort of my back yard. I was amazed at how many stars appeared once my eyes became adjusted, even with all the light pollution. I had never been outside observing for that long to really notice. It was an incredible experience. I only stay out for just under 1.5 hours. My fingers were getting cold and I was starting to experience some back spasms. It was still well worth getting up early for.

I was able to take a few shots. Some of them turned out OK, some of them not so good. I’m still trying to figure out my camera but I have nothing but time for that. The first set of pictures are a couple a shots I took as we approached the total eclipse.

The next too I am not really pleased with how they turned out but it gives you an idea of the color of the Moon during the eclipse.

Small Window to the Moon

The weather has been terrible lately. On Saturday the clouds parted enough to give me a small chance to look at the moon. I decided to take the opportunity to attempt a couple of pictures using the afocal method of photography. I was completely unsuccessful. All my shots where out of focus and I was unable to find the correct settings before the clouds came back and blocked out the sky. If any one has any helpful tips I would love to here them.

The clouds and rain are still here. It looks like our summer is over and fall has firmly entrenched itself. I am hoping this all clears up long enough for me to see the upcoming lunar eclipse.

Exploring Ursa Major

Ursa Major is by far the most prominent target from my backyard. I decided to have another look at the Mizar-Alcor double star. I had a little more success with higher magnifications this time and got a couple of nice views. This prompted me to attempt to take some pictures using A-focal photography. I had not success at all but I will keep trying.

Another obstacle that I had working against me was my neighbor. Last night he decided to open all his curtains and turn on all his lights. Then he went to his back yard and turned on all his exterior lights. Al Gore is going to be visiting him soon I think.

Despite all of this a pressed on and pointed by telescope at Dubhe. It was rather unremarkable but I was able to see another faint star in the field of view. My main goal for viewing this star was to use it as a launching point to try and find M81 and M82. Unfortunately I was unsuccessful at finding them. I think I was doomed to fail because of Mr. Brightlights and the fact that I did not have my binoculars to help me aim (My 4 year old has hidden them somewhere in our house).

I was able to get this picture of the Big Dipper and some trees. This weekend’s forecast is for clouds and rain so I may have to wait patiently to get out again.

Northern Lights

View Date : August 6, 2007

Time : 11:00PM – 12:00AM

I almost did not go out on this night. I was pretty tired and probably could have used the sleep. Against my better judgment I went out for a quick peek as the sky was temptingly cloudless. I did not bother to bring my telescope with me but the time a spent viewing was well worth it.

My first goal was to identify another constellation. It was Cassiopeia’s turn and it did not take me long. Its “W” shape was clearly visible to the North East. I tried taking a couple of free hand shots and the results turned out to be not so bad. It’s not spectacular but my work is getting better.

Just after I took this picture I tried to get one more shot. I thought I might be able to sit in the folding lawn chair on my deck to help steady myself. In the dark I did not see the pool of water that had collected on the chair from the recent rain. In an instant my shorts were cold and wet. I decided to call it quits and go dry off but I saw something to the North that I don’t often get to see (or take time to notice). The green glow of the Northern Lights had just started and caught my attention. I completely forgot about my soaking wet bottom and watched the show dance and flicker before me. I was able to have enough sense about me to take a couple of pictures that really capture what I saw. Enjoy.

Polaris, Mizar and the Moon

View Date : August 4, 2007

Time : 10:45PM – 12:00AM

Naked Eye Viewing : The first object I attempted to locate was Polaris, the North Star. This proved more difficult than I expected as I was unable to make out the Little Dipper. Using Merak and Dubhe as I guide I was able to find it.

Telescope Viewing : I set my sites on viewing the Mizar-Alcor double star in Ursa Major. Both were visible with the naked eye which made them easily viewable with my telescope. At lower magnifications I was able to see another faint star in my field of view. After some research I am guessing that this was SAO 28803 (I have not been able to find a name for it). I tried taking couple of free hand pictures but this was very unsuccessful. I am going to have to invest in a tripod.

Photography : The Moon was in its third quarter phase. It was glowing an orangy-yellow color which unfortunately did not show in any of the pictures I took. I need to play around with my zoom and focus settings some more as the images were not as close as I had hoped. Overall the images turned out to be not all that bad considering my proximity to several street lights. Below are the best of the bunch.