10 Days to go for the Lunar Eclipse

Counting down for the Lunar Eclipse which can be observed in Belgium and other parts of Europe. Crossing fingers for a cloud free evening sky :)

Andromeda Galaxy M31 M32 M110

Nikon D7500 TLAPO80/480 f/6 ISO6400 1200s

Andromeda Galaxy M31, M32 & M110

The Andromeda Galaxy M31, M32 and M110 was photographed using Nikon D7500 and TLAPO80/480 f/6 with settings ISO6400 and 30s exposure time. Stacking done with Deepskystacker and final editing using CS4.

104 Spotless Days & Limb Darkening

The picture of the Sun today shows again a Sun without any sunspots. So far this year, 104 spotless days are registrated; in 2017, it took a full year for those 104 spotless days. This means we are heading towards a solar minimum.

The picture also shows the Sun is more bright at the center and darker towards the edges. This phenomena is called Limb Darkening - which I will explain later (when I have time :)

Sun with SolarMax III and ASI224MC

The Sun today around UT08h45 observed with SolarMax III (f/5.7 70/400 DS BF15) and ASI224MC for 60s. This time true color stacking providing a red color instead of BGGR blue color (see my blog here). 

The Sun with SolarMax3 and ASI224MC

The Sun this morning; observation with SolarMax 3 (f/5.7 70/400; BS en BF15) and ASI224MC. Capturesoftware SharpCap for 60s and stacking using AutoStakkert in BGGR. This results in a (false) blue color, but the provides a nive and higher contrast. Located centrally on the Sun's disk you can see a white bright active region, but without sunspots. Also different prominences can be see at the limb of the Sun.

Nightscape Milky Way and Mars

Some nightscapes from my backyard. One with our own galaxy or Milky Way and one with part of the Milky Way and Mars.