Cloudformation

Great cloudformation above #Averbode

Venus in the evening sky

The wind was blowing the clouds away and Venus appeared bright in the evening sky. Picture taken using Nikon D7500 f/5.6 56mm ISO100 0.8s

Sunspot 2706

Last week a new sunspot showed up on the sun's disk. Sunspot 2706 is currently seen at the east side of the Sun. Picture was taken using TAL200K scope. Using Helios Viewer, I added the position angle P of the north end of the axis of the sun's rotation.

Publishment of my Nightscape Startrail Picture

My nightscape startrail picture of the "Maagdentoren" in Zichem was published in the local magazine "Stadsinfo - Scherpenheuvel-Zichem" april 2018 edition.

Green Laserpointer and obstruction of air traffic

The use of (green) laserpointer for astronomical use can be a dangerous. Last week an amateur astronomer was using a cheap green laserpointer and pointing to the night sky when F-16 Fighting Falcon Jets flew around. The pilotes were "blinded" by the laserbeam and police was informed. The police could trace the beam and the laserpen was taken in custody. Furthermore a formal report was made against the astronomer, risking up to 20 years jail in theory because of "obstruction of air traffic"

First Experience with 16inch

I had the opportunity to look into a 16inch dobsonian collapsible telescope from a Helios member.
Observations were done when it was not yet dark and seeing was moderate, but those observations were already awesome, even comparing with my 12inch scope.
Messier 13, 51, 68, 81 and the Eskimo nebula was observed and what great details could be seen.
The moon was seen using 32 ocular (x60) resulting in a "3D image".
Picture was taken afocal with iPhone 6.

Weather Summary March

March 2018 was a cold and wet month, comparable with March 2016. We had 18 days with tain and 15 days with temperatures below 0°C.