100 days to the Eclipse

On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will be seen in big parts of the USA. See also this link.

ATT Essen - Review

Kokerei Zeche Zolverein Essen - Located behind ATT parking spot 

It was my first time ever that I did visit the ATT Essen. It's the biggest European fair for amateur astronomers with both commercial trade and second hand material.
I arrived around 9h45 with plenty of parking space. Arriving at 10am the Gymnasium am Stoppenberg, the entry was blocked with a long waiting row. But 15 minutes later and paying 6 euro entree fee, I could enter the astro arena.
On my way in I did meet with collegues from Astroclub Urania from Hove (Antwerp).

A lot of variation of astro stuff, second hand material and also new equipment -  a total of more then 80 participants. During the day it was also possible to attend some seminars. I attended a lecture on "what an astro beginner need to start with" provided by the local astro club.

Personally I was interested in color filters, red dot finders, wide field oculars and a small apo OTA. At the end I bought one baader "yellow" color filter (as they did not had the color filter series available) and the SkySurfer 3 red dot finder.

I left the fair around 4am and took the time to visit the old mine site located behing the parking spot. This area is UN World Heritage Site and the site was once a very productive and modern mining site.

Some pictures taken during my visit of the site.

Steel frame of cooling towers

Washing of the cokes

Storage tank

ATT Essen

Today, I am at the ATT in Essen. One of the biggest European exposition for amateur aqtronomers.

Quit Sun

Today we had an open and clear sky and thus more then 14h time to observe the sun. Observations were done using my PST40. It was a quit sun without sunspots and two small prominences of which one was more bright then the other one. Both are located at east of the sun (location 4h).

Picture was taken afocal with 8-24mm lens on 24mm. Editing completed using CS4.

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!