Mars with ASI224MC

A month from today, Mars will be at opposition. Last night I was able to make some pictures of Mars. Right after midnight (local time),  Mars was bright and high in the sky. Pictures were made with ZWO ASI224MC on TAL 200K f/8.5. I used my ADC and Barlow x2. Capturesoftware ASICAP was used and stacking was done with AutoStakkert!. Final editing with CS4.

Andromeda Galaxy M31 TLAPO80/480

This was my first observation since July 30th. My objective was rather making pictures of Mars but due to good seeing conditions I took the opportunity to make some long exposure pictures from Andromeda Galaxy M31.

Setting : Nikon D7500 and TLAPO80/480 f/6; ISO2500, 60x60s and darks. DigiCamControl. was used to manage my camera. Raw pictures converted to DNG and stacked using DeepSkyStacker. Final editing with CS4.

Solarfilm ND3.8 - DIY

In view of Solar CaII K line observations I made a new Solarfilm. My current solarfilm has a safety factor of 100.000 or ND5. As the CaII K line is located in the range of violet more light is needed. So instead of ND5 I will be using ND3.8. 

How to make a solarfilm yourself? See my blog DIY Solarfilm. 

My new Solarfilm ND3.8 8"

Studium Generale Lecture Relativistic Quantum World

This lecture "Relativistic Quantum World" series of ten 1-hour lectures on five evenings will focus on the central concepts of two theories, while keeping mathematics to a minimum. The first part deals with Einstein's theories of special and general relativity, culminating in the recent discovery of gravitational waves. The second part includes the counter-intuitive concepts of quantum mechanics and their interpretation: the relativistic quantum world is fundamentally different from our macroscopic world. On the final evening, we will end with an overview of elementary particle physics and recent discoveries of the LHC collider at CERN.

Timing
Sep 16, 2020 07:30 PM
Sep 23, 2020 07:30 PM
Sep 30, 2020 07:30 PM
Oct 7, 2020 07:30 PM
Oct 14, 2020 07:30 PM

Pint of Science Portugal now Live

Pint of Science version Portugal is now live. Be aware .. 8pm portugal time equals 9pm Brussel time.
See live this link via facebook

First light with Baader CaII K en Solar Continuum Filter

This morning the sky was cloudfree so time to try out the baader filter CaIIK and Solar Continuum filters.

For the try out I used my TAL200K f/8.5 scope with Nikon D7500. Unfortunately I was not able to get the sun into focus. With only a few mm too short. So the pictures are not in focus and can not be used as a reference. After putting all material back in place I found a solution for a next trial and also collegue Walter provided a solid solution to overcome a couple of mm backfocus. 

Beside the focus issue, the CaII K picture is too dark. Total exposure time is about 25s. This is due to the use of a Solar filter ND5. Next try out I will be using my new solar filter ND3.8.

Pint of Science : September 7 - 9 : Astronomy on line from all over Europe

Pint of Science is happening this year on September 7 - 9.

Some interesting astronomy lectures across Europe :

1) Germany : see this link 

2) Belgium : Recycling a Star! : September 8, 19h30

3) Portugal : What do Colors of the Sun tell you? : September 7, 20h00