Solex : Coronal Hole in HeID3

The entire day a blue sky, so perfect for an observation with my Sol'Ex. Before I started, the slit was cleaned using ethanol 96%. The result is much better then before.

Observation in H-alpha, MgIb2, HeID3, H-beta, CaIIH, H-epsilon and CaIIK.

HeID3 shows the coronal hole, facing towards Earth. It's shape is like a witch flying. 

Both H-alpha as CaII show activity.

It was also the first time I used a IR/UV L1 cut filter in stead of the IR cut filter. 

Seeing was between 1" and 2,5" (measured with SSM3), Sx/Sy was 1 and tilt < 0,5°.

Software: SharpCap, Inti, JSolex 5.6.1, CS4, AstroSurface.

Chasing X Tri: My First Variable Star Light Curve

Inspired by a fascinating presentation on variable stars at the Helios astronomy club, I decided to try my hand at capturing a complete light curve of my own. Locating the target proved a bit tricky with the ASIAIR interface, so I first centered on NGC 780 to get everything properly framed before locking onto the eclipsing binary X Tri (SAO72085). With high humidity threatening the session, I made sure to hook up my dew heaters to keep the optics crystal clear against the condensation. Using my TS-TLAPO80/480 refractor paired with the ASI2600MC camera, I carried out a continuous session lasting two and a half hours, taking ten second exposures to track the photometric variation reliably. For the reduction and photometry, I utilized ASTAP to extract and process measurements across the green, red, and blue channels. Analyzing the recorded magnitude values reveals the full eclipse event in clear detail, starting from an initial magnitude of 9.485, dropping smoothly down to a deep minimum of 11.119, and recovering back up to 9.323 magnitude by the end of the run. This yields a net observed magnitude drop of 1.63 magnitudes relative to the start. The measurements clearly trace the progression, with curve fitting pinpointing the exact minimum right around 20:38 UT, beautifully matching the prediction and giving me a tremendous rush to see real astrophysical data emerge from my own backyard setup.

Deep Space Spectroscopy Made Compact: The TinyStar’Ex Breakthrough

The world of amateur spectroscopy has taken a major leap forward with Christian Buil’s latest open-source project, the TinyStar’Ex. Building on the success of Sol’Ex and Star’Ex, this ultra-compact spectrograph is designed to bring faint-object astrophysics to modest backyard setups.

Unlike high-resolution predecessors that rely on heavy frames, TinyStar’Ex uses a lightweight housing and a low-resolution 300 line/mm diffraction grating paired with short focal length optics. This streamlined optical path maximizes light throughput, allowing observers to capture the full visible spectrum of faint targets like supernovae, comets, and variable stars in a single exposure.

By drastically cutting down overall length and weight, TinyStar’Ex solves the common issue of mechanical flexure on telescope focusers, ensuring precise alignment throughout long imaging sessions. Entirely 3D-printable and fully compatible with processing tools like SpecINTI, it offers an accessible way for amateur astronomers to gather scientifically valuable spectral data.

See more this link: https://tse-spectro.net/

For the optics we need to wait untill November 13: https://www.univers-astro.fr/en/spectroscopy/1975-tinystar-ex-tse-optical-kit-for-spectrograph-lenses-slit-and-grating.html

Inspiring Lectures by Eva Laplace and Matthew Kenworthy at the VVS Weekend

During the fortieth edition of the JVS/VVS weekend in the Duinse Polders, we had the pleasure of attending several fantastic scientific lectures. Prof. dr. Matthew Kenworthy from Leiden University delivered an impressive presentation on exoplanets and exomoons. He demonstrated how his team successfully captured cosmic disks that potentially represent young exoplanets or colliding exomoons. 

On the second day, dr. Eva Laplace took us into the fascinating world of binary stars and their crucial role in supernovae, black holes, and gravitational waves. During a subsequent discussion, she explained how her software TULIPS provides insights into type Ia supernovae and the Hubble tension. Both speakers added extra brilliance to this anniversary weekend and greatly inspired all the amateur astronomers present.

Highlights from the August 12 Solar Eclipse Featured in Magazine Heelal

The November issue of Magazine Heelal prominently features both the collective efforts of VVS Section Helios and my personal journey during the solar eclipse of August 12, 2026.

During the event, VVS Section Helios hosted a public observation at the Maagdentoren in Zichem, welcoming around a hundred visitors to safely view the partial eclipse and promoting upcoming astronomical events. Meanwhile, four members of our section—Walter Swinnen, Johan Reviers, Roger Marien, and Pascal Hilkens—traveled to Spain to experience totality. Observing across locations like Covarrubias, Burgos, Autilla Del Pinto, and Carrion de los Condes, the team captured remarkable footage—including drone imagery of the solar ring—and witnessed 1 minute and 46 seconds of totality.

We are delighted to see these experiences published in Magazine Heelal. You can read the full accounts and view the photographs in the latest November issue.

Boarding Pass Dragonfly to Titan

In 2028, NASA launches its Dragonfly rotorcraft toward one of the most extraordinary destinations in the solar system: Saturn’s moon Titan. I signed up to have my name placed on a chip aboard Dragonfly and got my personalized Boarding Pass for this daring exploration adventure.

The 24th Solvay Public Lectures with Nobel Laureates Kip Thorne & David Gross

 

What an absolute privilege to stand face-to-face with true legends of physics this weekend! This past Sunday, during the special public session of the 24th Solvay Lectures at Flagey in Brussels, four of us from Helios astronomy club had the incredible opportunity to attend together—and I even managed to grab selfies with none other than Nobel laureates Kip Thorne and David Gross.

Walter, Pascal, Lieven, Fernando from Helios

The event was entirely dedicated to gravitational waves and the deepest mysteries of our universe. Kip Thorne—who won the Nobel Prize in 2017 for his decisive contributions to the LIGO detector project and the historic first-ever detection of gravitational waves—delivered a fascinating lecture titled "Probing Black Holes with Gravitational Waves". He brilliantly explained how these ripples in spacetime allow us to uncover the secrets of black holes. Alongside him, theoretical physicist Claudia de Rham took the stage to speak about testing the fundamental nature of gravity, after which David Gross expertly moderated the panel discussion that followed.

Kip Thorne

Claudia De Rham

Witnessing and meeting these brilliant minds becomes even more awe-inspiring when you realize the groundbreaking work they have accomplished. Kip Thorne earned his Nobel Prize for capturing the very first whispers of spacetime, proving Einstein’s century-old prediction about gravitational waves. David Gross, on the other hand, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics back in 2004—alongside Frank Wilczek and David Politzer—for the discovery of asymptotic freedom. Together, they unlocked how the strong nuclear force works and how quarks behave deep inside the smallest building blocks of atomic nuclei.

To cap off an already unforgettable day, we were treated to a lavish, grand reception after the presentations, giving our Helios group the perfect opportunity to raise a glass and process everything we had just experienced. From the subatomic particles that Gross unraveled to the colossal black holes that Thorne and De Rham brought to life, attending this Solvay Conference alongside fellow Helios members is a memory we will cherish for a very long time.

Selfie with Kip Thorne

Selfie with David Gross

Looking Back at an Unforgettable DDD Day at Urania!

Last week, our astronomical community gathered at Volkssterrenwacht Urania for our traditional DDD (De Duistere Dag) event. With the spectacular Total Solar Eclipse of August 12 still fresh in everyone's memory, the entire day was packed with technical deep-dives, vivid expedition reports, and exciting future plans.

I used this image to talk about the eclipse day itself

Morning Sessions: Tech, Tools, and Expeditions

The day started in classic Urania fashion: catching up with fellow eclipse chasers over hot coffee and viennoiserie in the Urania Bar.

Kris Delcourte officially opened the event with an introduction to the agenda. Maciej Szupiluk followed with a presentation on Total Control, a specialized software tool designed for eclipse photography with Sony cameras. The software was really easy to use and he promissed to have a Nikon version ready, 100 days before next year eclipse.

Ruben Verboven then shared insights and atmospheric data from the Eclipse Weatherstation Project during the August 12 TSE in Spain.

The rest of the morning brought an array of eclipse reports from across Spain and beyond:

Kris Delcourte shared his experiences observing from Montelahorra in the DO Ribera del Duero region.

Wim, Sarah, Marnik, and Karin presented a joint talk on their practical experiences with the Solar Eclipse Workbench. The next release will embed detailed bailey beads.

Roman Weiss rounded out the morning block with a report on the total solar eclipse from Asturias and the total lunar eclipse observed from Andalusia.

Around noon, attendees gathered for a sandwich lunch at the Urania Bar, discussing camera settings, filters, weather predictions, and visual impressions. Before returning to the auditorium for the afternoon sessions, everyone stepped outside for the traditional group photo.

Afternoon Highlights: Iceland, Global Eclipse Chasing, and Drone Imaging

The afternoon session kicked off with invited guest speaker Saevar Helgi Bragason, who brought breathtaking stories of observing the Total Solar Eclipse from Iceland and how he did promote this by his own!!

Werner Hamelinck then offered a comprehensive look at Urania's collective experiences across various observing locations during the August 12 eclipse. Joerg Schoppmeier took the audience on a remarkable global journey, reviewing two partial solar eclipses (New Zealand and Mauritius), two total lunar eclipses (Crete and Joshua Tree National Park), a deep partial lunar eclipse (Madrid), and the total solar eclipse in Spain.

I then had the opportunity to step up and share my own project: Total Solar Eclipse 2026 Wide-Angle Drone Imaging. Operating from Carrión de los Condes, Spain, I used a DJI Neo 2 drone to film the event from the air on August 12, 2026. Capturing the sweeping shadow of totality and the 360-degree horizon twilight from above offered a thrilling new dimension to our eclipse documentation. A live demo was given.

AI generated slide use for my presentation.

Looking Forward: 2027 and Beyond

The focus then shifted to the future. A vibrant group discussion unfolded regarding plans and logistics for the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse on August 2, 2027.

Live demo with my DJI Neo 2 Drone

Demystifying the Universe: Exploring "Kwantum Fysica Ontrafeld" by Spot Op

 

I love exploring the vast mysteries of the cosmos, but understanding the universe requires looking at the smallest scales too. A brilliant publication making waves among science enthusiasts is "Kwantum Fysica Ontrafeld" (Quantum Physics Unraveled) by Spot Op.

While astrophysics explores black holes and distant galaxies, the rules governing subatomic particles are what truly shape our reality. The laws that govern quantum mechanics played a crucial role during the Big Bang and continue to define how matter behaves in extreme environments like neutron stars.

"Kwantum Fysica Ontrafeld" bridges the gap between complex science and curious readers. Through accessible storytelling, clear narratives, and striking visuals, it breaks down mind-bending concepts—such as superposition and quantum entanglement—without getting lost in overwhelming academic jargon.

Beyond theoretical physics, Spot Op highlights how quantum phenomena power modern technologies like quantum computing and semiconductors, showing why microscopic science matters to everyday life and space exploration alike.

If you want to expand your scientific horizons and understand how reality works at its deepest level, "Kwantum Fysica Ontrafeld" is an essential, 128 pages, read for your coffee table.

Revisiting Saturn: New Processing from October 11, 2026

Astrophotography is a journey of continuous learning and improvement. Sometimes, going back to raw recordings with fresh eyes and refined processing techniques can reveal hidden details you missed the first time around. Today, I reworked my recordings of Saturn made earlier on October 11, 2026.

Imaging Setup

Telescope: TAL 200K f/8.5

Camera: ASI715MC

2x Barlow lens, Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector (ADC)

Filter: IR/UV Cut filter

Capture and Processing Workflow

SharpCap: Used for high-speed video capture, balancing exposure and gain to manage atmospheric seeing.

AstroSurface: Handled frame quality sorting, alignment, stacking, and initial wavelet sharpening to bring out the cloud bands and ring structure.

Topaz DeNoise AI: Applied to reduce background noise while preserving subtle planetary detail.

Photoshop CS4: Used for final tweaks to color balance, contrast, and overall presentation.

Reflections

Revisiting old datasets is always a rewarding process. Combining a capable optical setup like the TAL 200K with high-resolution planetary cameras and modern image processing tools allows us to extract every bit of detail possible.

Saturn: One week after opposition

My first image of Saturn this year. Saturn's opposition was last week on October 4th, so we are one week further. Seeing was moderate and transparancy fair. 

300 Days to go for Total Solar Eclipse Aug 2, 2027

The next total solar eclipse will happen in 300 days.
If all goes according the plan, I will be @ Djerba in Tunisia. 

Software for Photometry

I'm preparing a lecture on Photometry and as part of this I completed a comparison between different software packages. Personaly I only have experience with ASTAP but with some upcoming and upgraded software the landscape is changing. The below tabel is made using AI.

Lecture on Infinity by philosopher Victor Gijsbers

Attending a philosopher's lecture at Studium Generale @ Maastricht.

Humanity is caught between longing for eternity and the reality of our fragile, fleeting existence. In his acclaimed book "Oneindigheid: een filosofische gids", Leiden philosopher Victor Gijsbers explores if the universe is infinite and how we should live within it. He questions whether endless space holds copies of us and if immortality would truly improve our lives—or prove far more agonizing than our finite mortality. Gijsbers suggests endless time might strip our choices of consequence and become a psychological burden. 

Pushing this further, 19th-century thinker Louis-Auguste Blanqui argued in L'éternité par les astres that finite elements in an infinite cosmos mean every life, and every form of immortality, repeats itself identically across the stars. Does this infinite loop rob us of unique meaning, or does it give our finite moments ultimate weight? 

At the end of the lecture, reference was made to mathematics and infinitity and what this tells us about reality. 

True to tradition, I naturally had to snap a selfie at the lecture to document my own tiny, fleeting moment against this vast cosmic backdrop! Some thinking...would I want to live forever, or does my mortality define my value? 

Special Moon Halo 9°, 22° and 46°

Full moon and open sky with some high clouds, perfect storm for some moon halo's. Beside the classic 22° halo, two more halo's could be observed: 9° and 46°.

1.000.000 Milestone Achieved - Thank you!

WOW! Achieving 1 million viewers on my blog... really amazing and thank you all!

My interview of Total Solar Eclipse published in Magazine Zenit of October 2026

 

For any eclipse chaser, seeing totality is a breathtaking experience, but having your observation featured in a renowned astronomy publication makes it all the more special. In the October edition of the well-known Dutch astronomy magazine Zenit, written by Mat Drummen, my interview about the Total Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026, was officially published. The article captures the firsthand experiences of observers who traveled to Spain to witness this spectacular celestial event, and I was thrilled to share my own story alongside other passionate stargazers—including the famous Dutch science journalist Govert Schilling.

My vantage point for the eclipse was the tranquil municipality of Carrión de los Condes in the province of Palencia, Spain. To capture the event from a unique perspective, I piloted a drone to an altitude of 24 meters, recording beautiful aerial film footage as the Moon gradually blocked out the Sun. Because the eclipse occurred low on the horizon, the atmosphere during totality was truly idyllic, painting the Spanish sky with dramatic, warm tones. Just as totality began and the Sun’s corona burst into view, a wave of applause and cheers echoed from observers in the distance, capturing the shared awe of everyone gathered under the Moon's shadow. Being featured in Zenit is a wonderful reminder of an unforgettable trip, and it is an honor to have these memories preserved in print for the broader astronomy community.

Supernova SN 2026aaiv in NGC7331 - ASTAP

Supernova SN 2026aaiv is located in NGC7331. NGC7331 is a Herschel 400 object and located in constellation Pegasus. According Stephen James O'Meara's Herschel 400 Observing Guide (p 283), the spiral galaxy is mag 9,5 and a fairly easy object to observe. It's distance is 46 million ly (The complete guide to the Herschel Objects). 

I used ASTAP software to analyse the pictures. Format is fit and the best image out of 14 was selected using APP. After solving, analysing and selecting the Green channel, the DSO annotation and magnitude was completed.

The magnitude of the SN is 12,6 according ASTAP. For comparison, rochesterastronomy shows in the same green channel a value between 12,1 and 12,2 on september 20 and 22. 

Supernova SN 2026aaiv in NGC7331

Supernova SN 2026aaiv Type Ia in NGC 7331.

Setting: TAL200K f/8.5 ASI2600MC

Filter Optolong L-Pro

Software: SharpCap, ASIair Plus, APP, CS4, ASTAP, DeNoise AI

Subs: 14x300s; Total integration time 70min

Lights, Darks, Flats, Bias.

Halo's: Sun and Moon

Yesterday some halo's around the Sun and later around the Moon.