Like my Picture Butterfly

One of my pictures, a butterfly, recently taken in the forest of Averbode is selected to be become the cover of a local magazine. Only the picture with the most "likes" will win... so please "like" the butterfly :) using this facebook link

My Astronomical highlights of 2015 !

Astronomical highlights of 2015 : Comet Lovejoy C/2014Q2, Jupiter, Partial Sun Eclips, My Solargraph, Phantom Sun with Arcs, Lunar Eclips, visit to ESA (NL), Planetary trio & Moon, My new PST !

Astronomical start of the Winter

Today @ 5h48 the astromical winter starts. The sun reaches its lowest excursion relative to the celestial equator.

Solargraph

My pinhole camera's for solargraphs are ready to install!

Comet C/2013US10 Catalina

As from last week till end of february we can observe the Comet C/2013 US10 Catalina. Not a bright comet (magnitured 5à6) but hopefully bright enough to observe with the naked eye. Best timing is around jan 15, 2016 as the comet is closest to the earth. For more information see Comet C/2013 US10 Catalina

Sunrise

Sunrise in Langdorp - Belgium. High clouds and airplanes gave color and striping in the sky.

Moon and Venus

Nice combination of Moon and Venus in the morning sky. Tomorrow morning, december 10, the moon will be illuminated for about 2% and it's only 22h before new moon. On the picture you can observe beautiful earth's shadow on the moon.

Nikon D60 f/4,5 31mm ISO200 0.3s

My Solargraph!

It's time to prepare for your selfmade solargraph. See my solargraph page how to start and how to prepare this long exposure picture from the sun.

November 2015 Weather Summary

Moon North West Quadrant

Central in this picture is Mare Imbrium. On the right hand, you can see crater Plato and above Sinus Iridum. In the center, left, crater Copernicus and Kepler to the North of the picture. The crater in the "dark" at the top of the picture is Aristarchus.

Shooting fast fire

Nikon D60 f/5.6 200mm ISO 400 1/1000s

High Speed Pictures

Is it possible to take high speed pictures with your ordinary DSLR, like my Nikon D60?
For sure you need light, a lot of light. Secondly you need patience a lot of patience.
Out of my 500 pictures, see my selection of 2 pictures. The water was red colored with a red background, so no color adjustment was made.

My amateur studio.... two tripods, paint, water, background and light.

Grand Tack Theory

The formation of our solar system could explained by the Grand Tack scenario. In this scenario in the early solar system Jupiter and Saturn migrate inwards towards the sun and then back outwards. Those migrations could explain the existance of the Kuiper belt, the Oort cloud but also the late heavy bombardment.

See also other models like the "Nice Model"

Phantom sun @Averbode

Planetary trio glitter at predawn sky

On the morning of November 3th a planetary trio could be observed together with the moon. Jupiter, Venus and Mars are "close" together with the moon 20° more to the west.
In the morning of november 6th - 8th the moon will join the trio.

Oktober 2015 Weather Summary

Venus Mars and Jupiter : rare alignment

This week, each morning before dawn and untill early november, you will be able to observe Venus, Mars and Jupiter with the naked eye. Look in the east, and you will see all three planets (relative) close together. This rare alignment will again be visible early 2021.

My Nature Pictures Compilation

Daylight saving time

Within a few hours, we will set the clock one hour back and will have one hour more sleep.

Nacht van de duisternis

Zaterdagavond, 10 oktober 2015, dag van de duisternis. De sterrenkundige vereniging Helios was met 4 leden paraat in Langdorp. De hemel was open maar nevel was een spelbreker. In totaal kwamen een 15-tal bezoekers langs en genoten van het zicht door de dobson kijkers van 8 en 12inch.
Er werd gekeken naar het Andromeda stelsel (M31), de ringnevel (M57), de open dubbele cluster in Perseus (NGC884), de dubbelster beta cygnus (Albireo). Door Danny werden we nog verwend met koffie en koekjes.

Venus, Moon and Jupiter

This morning Venus, Moon and Jupiter could be observed. Mars should be around aswell.

3D model comet 67P

> Thank you #ESA #ESTEC for the 3D model of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko which we received yesterday as part of the contest during the opendoor day last week.
>

Visit of ESA ESTEC in Noordwijk

On October 4th the #estec #esa had his yearly open door day.  

ESTEC : European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk NL

Cloud chamber demonstration to the public, explaining cosmic radiation

Robotics laboratories with future planetary visits

Ariane 1 real rocket engine in Space Expo

ESA contribution of exploring the cosmos using satelites which focus on different aspects across the spectrum. Spectrum reaching fros microwaves (Planck), infrared, optical (Gaia satelite) , x-rays, gamma and even gravitational waves via Lisa Pathfinder.

Nice ISS scale on the ceiling; columbus module on the ground

Mid engine - Volcain- of Ariane 5 rocket exceeding thrust of 115000kg or 15x power of boeing 737 jet engine ; scale on the back of Ariane 5 rocket

Moon stone from Apollo 17, collected by Gene Cernan in 1972.