Well, I finally got around to posting some of my images.
These are the best. Didn't want to force you all to look at some boring, out of focus pictures.
I hope to get some more up soon. ust as soon as I take some. It's either too cloudy, or the mosquitos too fierce (they've been about the size of Volkswagen Beetles lately).
You can view them here: Gallery
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Jupiter - July 18, 2008
Ok, I know I'm a few days behind.............
So last Friday I made my attempt to image Jupiter. Not really me day I guess.
I get the scope all aligned and go to slew to Jupiter. Just about there, then.........no power!!! The power cord slipped out of the extension cord. :(
So, time to re-align.
Aligned.
Slewing.
Got Juptiter.
Install camera.
Go to get Jupiter in the view.
Jupiter moves behind some trees. :(
I could wait, maybe 30 minutes................then
Clouds roll in.
That's when I gave up for the evening.
I am determined and will not give up. So keeping checking back. Please?
So last Friday I made my attempt to image Jupiter. Not really me day I guess.
I get the scope all aligned and go to slew to Jupiter. Just about there, then.........no power!!! The power cord slipped out of the extension cord. :(
So, time to re-align.
Aligned.
Slewing.
Got Juptiter.
Install camera.
Go to get Jupiter in the view.
Jupiter moves behind some trees. :(
I could wait, maybe 30 minutes................then
Clouds roll in.
That's when I gave up for the evening.
I am determined and will not give up. So keeping checking back. Please?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Jupiter - 7/15/08 and other views
Clear skies tonight!!! Yippee!!
Got the scope out and tried tricking the scope into thinking it was in a different time zone (set back 1 hour), only to find later that I shoud set DST to "Yes".
Had some great views of Saturn. Even went down as low as 9mm.
Tried doing a sky tour, but the scope was thrown off when my JMI focuser hit the base, Grrrrrrrr.
But reset and all seems to be ok. And re-did the sky tour. Looked at Antares, and a double cluster. Very nice. What I really want to look at are some Nebulas and Galaxies!! Next time.
Used my red filter this time for Jupter and that really brought out the detail. My neighbor came over and had a nice view. Much better than the other night.
So, if all is well next time, I'll attach the camera and start doing some imaging again. This time of Jupiter.
Which reminds me, I really need to post what few pictures I have.
Got the scope out and tried tricking the scope into thinking it was in a different time zone (set back 1 hour), only to find later that I shoud set DST to "Yes".
Had some great views of Saturn. Even went down as low as 9mm.
Tried doing a sky tour, but the scope was thrown off when my JMI focuser hit the base, Grrrrrrrr.
But reset and all seems to be ok. And re-did the sky tour. Looked at Antares, and a double cluster. Very nice. What I really want to look at are some Nebulas and Galaxies!! Next time.
Used my red filter this time for Jupter and that really brought out the detail. My neighbor came over and had a nice view. Much better than the other night.
So, if all is well next time, I'll attach the camera and start doing some imaging again. This time of Jupiter.
Which reminds me, I really need to post what few pictures I have.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Jupiter - July 10, 2008
Don't get me wrong, I'm not lazy.
But it's 9:45 and I just don't want to drag everything out.
I just hope tomorrow is just as nice.
So I go out to close the windows and my Jeep and look for Jupiter.
It has got to be the brightest thing in the sky right now!!!!
So I go and get my binoculars (as mentioned in a previous post) and take a look.
Now I don't see any detail, but I do see at least 1 moon and maybe a 2nd!!!
Just fantastic!!
If tomorrow evening is just as good I going to get everything out there and even try some imaging too.
Wish me luck!!
But it's 9:45 and I just don't want to drag everything out.
I just hope tomorrow is just as nice.
So I go out to close the windows and my Jeep and look for Jupiter.
It has got to be the brightest thing in the sky right now!!!!
So I go and get my binoculars (as mentioned in a previous post) and take a look.
Now I don't see any detail, but I do see at least 1 moon and maybe a 2nd!!!
Just fantastic!!
If tomorrow evening is just as good I going to get everything out there and even try some imaging too.
Wish me luck!!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Iridium Flares
Given the sort of weather we are having, I really haven't had the opportunity to take the scope out since my last posting.
We keep having these late afternoon, early evening storms. In fact, we're having one now. :(
By the time things clear up, I just can't find myself getting all my gear out for just a few minutes of viewing.
So, what does one do when they want to view the sky, but don't want to get their gear out? Look for Iridium Flares! Now, you could just log on to http://www.heavens-above.com/ or you could just look for them on your own. It appears that where I am (Central Mass.), they appear roughly around the same time. 10:30'ish.
So last night, my wife and I were hangin' out on the deck watching TV. I know, I said the weather hasn't been ideal, but last night I wasn't sure so we just hung out watching the TV on the deck.
Around 10:30 we decide it was time to go in. You see, we both have to go to work.
I'm putting the Tiki torches out, gathering stuff that needs to go inside (ie. empty beer can or 2, remote for TV....the TV), when I decide to just look up. I see a satelite going over head.
So I watch it. Commenting to myself, "Gee, that's getting brighter." Now I've seen the flares several times before. And even without checking the time table, but..........this has to be the best I've seen.
Not only did it get brighter, but.......seriously........had a huge flash. Like a flare in the sky. I'm sorry my wife wasn't there to see it. It was absolutely incredible.
So, next time your out, look up. Don't just dismiss a passing satelite as just another satelite. Watch it, it may be one of the most incredible things you see in the sky.
Keep your eyes pointing up and looking. And I'll be checking in with you all again soon!
We keep having these late afternoon, early evening storms. In fact, we're having one now. :(
By the time things clear up, I just can't find myself getting all my gear out for just a few minutes of viewing.
So, what does one do when they want to view the sky, but don't want to get their gear out? Look for Iridium Flares! Now, you could just log on to http://www.heavens-above.com/ or you could just look for them on your own. It appears that where I am (Central Mass.), they appear roughly around the same time. 10:30'ish.
So last night, my wife and I were hangin' out on the deck watching TV. I know, I said the weather hasn't been ideal, but last night I wasn't sure so we just hung out watching the TV on the deck.
Around 10:30 we decide it was time to go in. You see, we both have to go to work.
I'm putting the Tiki torches out, gathering stuff that needs to go inside (ie. empty beer can or 2, remote for TV....the TV), when I decide to just look up. I see a satelite going over head.
So I watch it. Commenting to myself, "Gee, that's getting brighter." Now I've seen the flares several times before. And even without checking the time table, but..........this has to be the best I've seen.
Not only did it get brighter, but.......seriously........had a huge flash. Like a flare in the sky. I'm sorry my wife wasn't there to see it. It was absolutely incredible.
So, next time your out, look up. Don't just dismiss a passing satelite as just another satelite. Watch it, it may be one of the most incredible things you see in the sky.
Keep your eyes pointing up and looking. And I'll be checking in with you all again soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)