Spectrum of the Sun using DIY spectroscope

Clear sky with a bright sun ... so time to take the sun's spectrum using my DIY spectroscope.

WMR 200 during sunset

Beautiful but rather chilly (only 12°C) sunset. Close up of my WMR 200 weather station.

DIY Solargraph

It's time to prepare for your solargraph (pinhole camera). In order to be ready on June 21 see step by step how to build your own solargraphs. It's easy and it's fun :)
Use this link to see solargraph results aswell my step by step approach.

Have fun!

Astro Page - Usefull Links

See my link to Usefull Links for astronomy and related sciences.

Partial 22°Halo and Sun Dogs

This evening, 2h before sunset, some beautiful Sun Dogs and a partial 22° Halo.

The first sun dog showed up at the west of the sun. Afterwards a partial 22° halo could be seen and a couple of minutes later, a bright sun dog at the east site of the sun was visible. 

  

Weather Summary April

As a summary, April was a cold and dry month.
The month of April was 1°C colder than last year and 2°C colder then 2015. With 10 days of frost it can be compared with April 2015. Compared with 2016, 50% less raindays (7 raindays) and 75% less rain (15,7 mm).

Great Night Observation

Night from April 29-30 : very good weather and seeing conditions. Relative humidity 85% and temperatures around 2°C - 4°C. The moon was only visible untill midnight.

Observations held with Helios collegue Guido Gubbels mainly to discuss and to learn alternative observation techniques.

Following objects observed :

Waxing Crescent Moon 16%

Star Asterims Hat of Napoleon near Arcturus. Drawing was made. As part of this observation I found out more asterisms are available via this web site.

NGC 6229 - Globular Cluster in Herculis - See my observation

Jupiter and Saturnus - See my observation

M3, M5, M9, M10, M12, M13 all globular Clusturs

M23, M27, M51, M57, M63, M65, M66, M81 and M82.

All observations done with Dobson 12" - mostly with 2" 9mm Scientific Explorer. 

Biggest learnings identified :

- polar allignment difference EQ5 vs EQ6 - need to clarify

- use of detailed charts to hop between stars as synscan is not always accurate enough

- use of color filters for planets; great contract using yellow filter for Jupiter

- asterims are something to enjoy and to learn the night sky