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

Magnesium MgIB2 Bright Points: to be or not to be

 

In July I took a couple of images using my Solex in the spectrum line of MgIB2. When looking more in detail it seems that around sun spots there are bright spots. Nog sure what they area and using AI doesn't give a comprehensive answer. So I need to follow up but not sure who to contact. 

1 Year to go : Total Solar Eclipse Aug 2, 2027

 

I know.... the next total solar eclipse is within 10 days; but still, I'm planning for the next one on August 2nd, 2027.

Halo and Circumzenithal Arc

This evening at sunset, the sun with a halo, both Sun dogs and a faint circumzenithal arc. I used my Iphone 16 to capture the Sun.