Astronomy

[relm1]

Oh yes, I've been to Mt. Wilson and peered through it.  I saw a supernova with my eyes that night.  Also Saturn, the Moon, several galaxies and nebula, I think a comet too.  The historic 60" telescope you have to get certified to use (or a public night) but there are many observatories there (several solar observatories and a massive 100 inch scope) that are off limits as they're actively used for research purposes.

[relm1]

Here's a new picture I took back in November.  The mighty Orion nebula.  It was an hour exposure (give or take).  I can't remember exactly as I took a lot of different objects so was imaging all night then had to cook a turkey for thanksgiving.  It was a long, long day.

[vandermolen]

Here's a new picture I took back in November.  The mighty Orion nebula.  It was an hour exposure (give or take).  I can't remember exactly as I took a lot of different objects so was imaging all night then had to cook a turkey for thanksgiving.  It was a long, long day.

Fabulous photo!

[krummholz]

Here's a new picture I took back in November.  The mighty Orion nebula.  It was an hour exposure (give or take).  I can't remember exactly as I took a lot of different objects so was imaging all night then had to cook a turkey for thanksgiving.  It was a long, long day.

Very nice picture! M42 is really nothing much to look at live, at least through the telescopes I have access to, but your photo brings out lots of beautiful detail. I'm not surprised it took an hour exposure. What telescope did you use?

[LKB]

Loved the image of Jupiter seen through the telescope.

Me too. Truly boggling, that someone can hold a smartphone up to an ocular and get a handheld image of that quality.

Now l really, really want to book a half- night there...

[LKB]

Oh yes, I've been to Mt. Wilson and peered through it.  I saw a supernova with my eyes that night.  Also Saturn, the Moon, several galaxies and nebula, I think a comet too.  The historic 60" telescope you have to get certified to use (or a public night) but there are many observatories there (several solar observatories and a massive 100 inch scope) that are off limits as they're actively used for research purposes.

Actually, you can arrange for private viewings through the 100" Hooker also.    However, the author who l linked to doesn't really recommend it, having done so:

http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/MountWilson100.htm

( Edit: after re-reading the author's review, l realized l was in error saying he didn't recommend a night with the Hooker. He does, but between mediocre seeing and light pollution it seems he had an even better experience with the 60". Still, l doubt I'd pass up a shot at such a storied instrument. )

[LKB]

Here's a new picture I took back in November.  The mighty Orion nebula.  It was an hour exposure (give or take).  I can't remember exactly as I took a lot of different objects so was imaging all night then had to cook a turkey for thanksgiving.  It was a long, long day.

That's gorgeous, and l look forward to more DSO'S. 

[vandermolen]

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jan/31/what-is-the-green-comet-and-how-can-you-see-it

[relm1]

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jan/31/what-is-the-green-comet-and-how-can-you-see-it

I captured it two weeks ago during a clear, new moon night.  Beautiful and very fast moving.  My telescope tracks on the stars and the comet was out of frame about every 30 minutes.  I tried several times to visually see it with the unaided eye but never could see it sparking a debate in my astro club with some claiming to have seen it with the unaided eye.  The conclusion, even with a professional astronomer from the local observatory weighing in is at best you would need binoculars to see it.  But it was a lively discussion where some swore they saw it.  It is now going to very rapidly recede and fade into the abyss.

[LKB]

Look's like I'll miss this one, but that's fine. Between Comet West in 1970, Kahoutek, Hale-Bopp, Halley and Hyakutake l think I've probably seen my share, or more.

I do enjoy the publicity they bring to amateur astronomers though. Maybe this one will awaken some interest in a few future astrophysicists...

[vandermolen]

I captured it two weeks ago during a clear, new moon night.  Beautiful and very fast moving.  My telescope tracks on the stars and the comet was out of frame about every 30 minutes.  I tried several times to visually see it with the unaided eye but never could see it sparking a debate in my astro club with some claiming to have seen it with the unaided eye.  The conclusion, even with a professional astronomer from the local observatory weighing in is at best you would need binoculars to see it.  But it was a lively discussion where some swore they saw it.  It is now going to very rapidly recede and fade into the abyss.

I'm really jealous that you got to see it through your telescope!

[krummholz]

I captured it two weeks ago during a clear, new moon night.  Beautiful and very fast moving.  My telescope tracks on the stars and the comet was out of frame about every 30 minutes.  I tried several times to visually see it with the unaided eye but never could see it sparking a debate in my astro club with some claiming to have seen it with the unaided eye.  The conclusion, even with a professional astronomer from the local observatory weighing in is at best you would need binoculars to see it.  But it was a lively discussion where some swore they saw it.  It is now going to very rapidly recede and fade into the abyss.

Yes, reports of how bright it is are inconsistent. One observatory estimated it at magnitude +4.4 a few days ago, but another said +8.0. That's an enormous range - +4.0 should be visible to the unaided eye under dark skies (though difficult because of low surface brightness), but +8.0 would definitely require at least binoculars.

I haven't tried to catch it, because of cloudy conditions here during the optimum viewing nights (Wed and Thu), and then temps well below -20º C last night.

[relm1]

Yes, reports of how bright it is are inconsistent. One observatory estimated it at magnitude +4.4 a few days ago, but another said +8.0. That's an enormous range - +4.0 should be visible to the unaided eye under dark skies (though difficult because of low surface brightness), but +8.0 would definitely require at least binoculars.

I haven't tried to catch it, because of cloudy conditions here during the optimum viewing nights (Wed and Thu), and then temps well below -20º C last night.

Yes, wide range.  I wonder how magnitude is determined.  Theskylive says today, the magnitude is:
Observed Magnitude (COBS)  5.5
Estimated Magnitude (JPL)  8.10

The observed magnitude puts it just on the cusp of visibility in pristine conditions with great eyesight, but the lower magnitude makes it impossible.  But it is large (roughly the size of the moon in the sky) and the magnitude is spread across it's area so the rule of thumb is to add 2 to the observable magnitude.  This is why many had doubts anyone could have seen it unaided. 

[relm1]

Any retro space fans here?  This is an interesting video of the space age from 1964.

[joachim]

Thank you for these beautiful photos, relm1

I had not yet noticed that there are on this forum followers of astronomy!
I was 7 or 8 years old when I was already reading books on planets and stars. When I was 16, with my teenage savings, I bought myself a small telescope, which allowed me to directly observe the craters of the Moon, the satellites of Jupiter or the rings of Saturn as well as nebulae and double stars.
Later, I documented myself more and more, and since the arrival of the Internet, and the sending of space probes with their magnificent photos, the information has multiplied.

Currently, with light pollution and bad weather conditions, I no longer observe anything by myself, but I am always on the lookout for recent discoveries.

I am registered on a French astronomy forum (under the nickname "Chiron" the comet-asteroid whose orbit is between Saturn and Uranus), whose address, if anyone is interested and understands French, East :
https://www.webastro.net/forums/

[relm1]

Thank you for these beautiful photos, relm1

I had not yet noticed that there are on this forum followers of astronomy!
I was 7 or 8 years old when I was already reading books on planets and stars. When I was 16, with my teenage savings, I bought myself a small telescope, which allowed me to directly observe the craters of the Moon, the satellites of Jupiter or the rings of Saturn as well as nebulae and double stars.
Later, I documented myself more and more, and since the arrival of the Internet, and the sending of space probes with their magnificent photos, the information has multiplied.

Currently, with light pollution and bad weather conditions, I no longer observe anything by myself, but I am always on the lookout for recent discoveries.

I am registered on a French astronomy forum (under the nickname "Chiron" the comet-asteroid whose orbit is between Saturn and Uranus), whose address, if anyone is interested and understands French, East :
https://www.webastro.net/forums/

Very nice to meet you!  I have a similar background to you that I was a teen when I got into astrophotography but didn't get great results.  However, I will never forget what I saw visually.  I was able to go to extremely dark skies and see spectacular details. 

[relm1]

Sorry for the short notice but for those interested, tonight is a very close conjunction of Jupiter and Venus just after sunset.  These mighty planets are the third and fourth brightest objects in the sky after the sun and moon.  They will be closer to each other than a quarter the width of the moon.

Griffith Observatory will broadcast a life viewing in an hour (March 1, 6pm PT).

[vandermolen]

The Northern Lights were, amazingly, visible in the South of England recently but sadly too cloudy here to see anything.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Sorry for the short notice but for those interested, tonight is a very close conjunction of Jupiter and Venus just after sunset.  These mighty planets are the third and fourth brightest objects in the sky after the sun and moon.  They will be closer to each other than a quarter the width of the moon.

Griffith Observatory will broadcast a life viewing in an hour (March 1, 6pm PT).

I read about the planets almost "kissing.  Will try and find some past footage for it....thanks!

The Northern Lights were, amazingly, visible in the South of England recently but sadly too cloudy here to see anything.

Sorry that you weren't able to see them Jeffrey.  Somebody shared this video with me here (which I really enjoyed watching):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zWQjfAFrz8

Would love to follow in her footsteps and make that pilgrimage.

PD

[vandermolen]

I read about the planets almost "kissing.  Will try and find some past footage for it....thanks!
Sorry that you weren't able to see them Jeffrey.  Somebody shared this video with me here (which I really enjoyed watching):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zWQjfAFrz8

Would love to follow in her footsteps and make that pilgrimage.

PD

Thanks PD