Bright Iridium Flare

Seeing was not good but enough to see a bright Iridium flare. This time it was Iridium 81 with a mag -6.5. Picture was edited using CS4.

Visual Observation with TAL 200K a Klevtsov-Cassegrain telescoop

For a couple of months I'm have now for loan a TAL200K. This is a Klevtsov-Cassegrain type telescoop and the focusser was changed with a much rigour 2" type. This made it possible to make pictures using my DSLR camera having a 55mm focal point. However, for visual use it was needed to make changes. And only today I found out some easy adjustments using an 2" extension tuber from Orion. And the results are magnificent ... Saturnus, M31, M13, M48,...

Clear Sky - Moon - Iridium Flare

Finally, some great weather with open sky. Probably not only this evening but also the next days.
So, time to observe and taking out my Dobson XT12. Observing M13, M92, M31, M110, M57 and Saturnus. Taking pictures of the moon, an Iridium flare and the summer triangle. And of course lucky to see two nice and bright meteors.

Special Clock's in Venice - Italy

Some special and beautiful clocks in Venice - Italy.
Above the entrance of the church of San Giacomo di Rialto you can find a clock with 24 in stead of 12 hours. The clock was build in the 15th century.

At the Piazza San Marco the St Mark's Clocktower or Torre Dell' Oroloshows a beautifull astronomical clock. Showing moon phases, and also a 24 timing (in stead of 12).

See also that "4" is put as IIII and not as IV 

Concorde Toulouse

I was searching for some pictures when I found my picture back of the Concorde. This photo was taken last year in Toulouse after visiting the Airbus Manufacturer. This Concorde was my fourth encouter, first ever was in New York JFK Airport in 1997, second in Manchester Airport, third Intrepid Air and Space Museum New York and now thus Toulouse.

Very active sun today - July 24th

No sunspots today but still the sun was very active. In Hα however the activity was quit impressive. Using the PST Coronado at least 5 bright "prominence areas" were visible in the afternoon. I tried to capture those on picture but could only realize this afocal one. The picture was edite using CS4. 

Sundog

Very bright sundog seen this evening from Averbode (Belgium).