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Nightfly Astrophotography
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Sat, 19 Jul 2008
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| New 300mm Images! |
The first images taken with my "new" 300mm Super-
Multi-Coated TAKUMAR lens are in. These are
just "test" images to see how well the lens
recorded on a standard 30 minute exposure with
the lens wide open at f/4 and stopped down to
f/5.6. The images were taken over the July 4th
holiday weekend. I am pleased with these initial results ! A few
clouds bloated some of the star images, but the
detail is still striking.
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Posted 16:20
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Tue, 01 Jul 2008
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| July Evenings in Downeast Maine |
The most awe-inspiring sight in the summertime
night sky is our Milky Way galaxy. Late evenings
away from city lights offer spectacular views
that surpass many people's expectations of what
is visible in a dark sky free of light pollution,
indeed Downeast Maine's rural areas offer the
finest views east of the Mississippi.
To enhance your vision's ability to see fainter
stars, take time for your eyes to adapt to the
dark. Use a flashlight sparingly and only with a
red filter over it. Red light will preserve most
of your night vision. Remember to plan your
outing to see the Milky Way when the Moon is not
present, which is the first and last week of this
month.
The view starts directly overhead in the
constellation Cygnus and flows toward the
southern horizon to Sagittarius and Scorpius.
Most impressive are the billowy star clouds of
Scutum, Serpens, and Sagittarius. This is a very
busy area of our galaxy. You are looking at the
center of our Milky Way galaxy when you observe
in the direction of Sagittarius.
The softly glowing patches of light you are
seeing are the combined light of millions of
suns! The stars are there, but they eye does not
perceive them individually. Scanning these areas
with binoculars will reveal swarms of stars,
brighter and darker areas of nebulae, and
numerous clusters of stars that will need
detailed star charts to identify!
The Moon steals the show during mid-month,
approaching orange Antares on the evening of the
13th and brilliant white Jupiter on the 16th.
During this time the Moon hangs low on the
horizon, creating a romantic summer scene. Take
time for an evening stroll or venture to a scenic
area to enjoy these wondrous summer nights.
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Posted 18:00
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Sat, 21 Jun 2008
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| 300mm Super-Multi-Coated Takumar |
The 70's produced awesome optics, including my
newly aquired 300mm
f/4 SMC Takumar lens! I will be busy with
this chunk of glass for the rest of the year.
Check back to see my results! I upgraded my
piggyback mount as well to accomodate this large
lens. A Losmandy DM8 and DA plate
to
mount my Pentax 67
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Posted 11:07
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Sun, 08 Jun 2008
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| June Evenings in Downeast Maine |
One of the rites of summer is late night
stargazing. Twilight lasts well into the evening
and stargazing usually can begin by 10 PM. These
are the longest days and therefore the shortest
nights of the year.
To start our evening's observing find open dark
skies, preferably when the Moon is not present.
Using the sky chart locate brilliant orange
Arcturus in the constellation Bootes, the
Herdsman. Arcturus can also be located by using
the handle of the Big Dipper. Find the arc that
is the Dipper's handle, then follow the "arc to
Arcturus". The name of the star means "guardian
of the bear". Indeed, Bootes is positioned next
to the Great Bear, Ursa Major, home of the Big
Dipper.
East of Bootes is the Northern Crown, Corona
Borealis. Its brightest jewel is named Gemma.
Can you guess what its name means? The crown
shape is apparent, but also takes on the shape of
a bowl. Further to the east is legendary
Hercules. Although not bright as Gemma, its
stars form a small "keystone" pattern, or
quadrilateral, representing the hero's body.
Floating above the southeast horizon is the
constellation Scorpius, the scorpion. You will
note its brightest star, brilliant orange
Antares. A supergiant star, Antares is hundreds
of times the size of our Sun!
Late into the evening brilliant white Jupiter can
be seen low in the southeast in the constellation
Sagittarius, the Archer. Good binoculars held
steady can show up to four moons in very close
proximity to the planet. You can see their
position change night to night. Their names are
Callisto, Ganymede, Europa, and Io. Galileo
discovered these "new planets" almost 400 years
ago in a small telescope of his own
construction. Why not try the binoculars to see
how many moons you can find!
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Posted 19:50
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Wed, 04 Jun 2008
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| Amateur Astronomers |
They say "Life is a journey" - Amateur
Astronomers skip ahead to the good stuff!
Courtesy KQED. To view in higher resolution
click here
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Posted 18:04
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