ATT - Essen Germany - Biggest Astronomy Exhibition - 1 week to go

The ATT is Europe's biggest exhibition especially for amateur astronomers. You will find state-of-the-art telescopes and accessories as well as used and homemade instruments. Here you meet manufacturers and experienced amateur astronomers from all over Europe to share your thoughts with. Furthermore the ATT offers a platform for public presentation of observatories and astronomy clubs. In short, this is the place to be for anyone who is interested in astronomy. You will get plenty of ideas and inspirations for your hobby. Come and find out for yourself, and we are looking forward to meeting you at the ATT in Essen, Germany.

Prof dr John Heise explaining Multiverse

Selfie with Prof dr John Heise 

As part of The Best of Lectures of Studium Generale at the University of Maastricht, Prof. dr John Heise explained the Inflation theory and the link with Multiverse.

In the beginning their was nothing and then it exploded. A quantum fluctuation out of the vacuum could form this new universe with different physical constants as ours. The result could be a new world or a fast collapsing universe aswell. As the multiverse is so far away we will never be able to prove this .... neither we can deny the theory :)

Anyway, great presentation and well explained by John Heise.

Cloudformation

Great cloudformation above #Averbode

Venus in the evening sky

The wind was blowing the clouds away and Venus appeared bright in the evening sky. Picture taken using Nikon D7500 f/5.6 56mm ISO100 0.8s

Sunspot 2706

Last week a new sunspot showed up on the sun's disk. Sunspot 2706 is currently seen at the east side of the Sun. Picture was taken using TAL200K scope. Using Helios Viewer, I added the position angle P of the north end of the axis of the sun's rotation.

Publishment of my Nightscape Startrail Picture

My nightscape startrail picture of the "Maagdentoren" in Zichem was published in the local magazine "Stadsinfo - Scherpenheuvel-Zichem" april 2018 edition.

Green Laserpointer and obstruction of air traffic

The use of (green) laserpointer for astronomical use can be a dangerous. Last week an amateur astronomer was using a cheap green laserpointer and pointing to the night sky when F-16 Fighting Falcon Jets flew around. The pilotes were "blinded" by the laserbeam and police was informed. The police could trace the beam and the laserpen was taken in custody. Furthermore a formal report was made against the astronomer, risking up to 20 years jail in theory because of "obstruction of air traffic"