Launch of Roman Space Telescope

Great launch of Falcon Heavy Rocket with Roman Space Telescope. Let's see what future will bring scientifcally:

- Search for exoplanets

- Understanding the fabric of the cosmos

- Supernova

- Black holes

As a virtual guest of the launch, I received aswell my stamp.

Drone Video of Total Solar Eclipse August 12 2026

I used my DJI Neo2 to capture the total solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026.
I send out the drone 5 minutes before totality and got 'm back 5 minutes after totality. The drone was 24m above the horizon. Watch the sunset and sunrise aswell as planet Venus.

Total Sol Eclipse Augustus 2026 - Carrion de los Condes. Compilation

I'm a week back from Spain and almost daily editing my images. Below are the results which are a compilation of the eclipse.

Milky Way @ La Roque de los Muchachos - La Palma

After a hefty trip towards the highest point of La Palma, La Roque de los Muchachos (2400), I could set up my equipment to capture the Milky Way. Afger a awasome sunset, I put out my tripod with Star Adventurer 2' with Nikon D7500 and 10mm lens.

We were not alone: some Germans and Hongarian astropeople.

About 45 minutes after sunset, I was able to see the milky way. One half hour later, .... what a view of the milky way. Only 50s and ISO3200 was enough to capture this beauty.

Total Solar Eclipse August 12, 2026

Together with Kathleen we stayed in Carrion de los Condes. We found a nice location about 2km from the center. The location had uptill 1° above the horizon a full view. Beside the great view, also no worries about parking the car as we went walking. 

The day before, the location was visited and my equipment was installed and tested without any issues. 

When we arrived on the day of the eclipse, the field behind our location was under water... but no risk for flooding. Most important, we had a blue sky. After installation of the equipment and C1 contact, a german family joined us.

5 minutes before totality, my drone was send into the sky at 24m. The video was turned on and it was pulled back only minutes after totality.

Totality was only 1m43s, so really short and no time to set the camera for bracketing. Pictures were taken with different exposure settings but due to this some pictures showed movement. The view was great with first left and then right a nice red sky.

After totality I kept taking pictures but more over we talked with the germans about the experience. 

Editing of totality was not easy and probably some rework will be done in a later phase. 

Setting:

Nikon D7500 on TLAPO 80/480 f/6 

IR/UV cut filter

Software: AstroSurface, CS4.

La Palma

Visiting La Palma in Roque de los Muchachos at 2400m height. The clouds below us and clear sky. Great place to see the big telescopes and of course observing the night sky. The area is protected against light pollution and is a bortle 1 location. I will post later my images of the milky way… so cool.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn iPhone 16

1 day to go for 2026 Total Solar Eclipsz

> Preparing for tomorrow’s total solar eclipse. I’m staying in Carrion de los Condes and found a nice place at 2km from the center. So no need for my rentelcar and potential traffic or parking issues. The new sunspot at the eastern limb is perfect for adjusting the equipment. Now we need to wait the weather! >

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> > Verstuurd vanaf mijn iPhone 16