Preparation for Herschel 400

I did complete the PSA (Periodical System for the Amateur Astronomer) earlier this year and I hope to complete the Messier list this summer with only 3 objects to do. 

As I was looking for a next challenge I started to read a book I bought back in 2017 :  Stephen James O'Meara's Herschel 400 Observing Guide. 

My objective is not to get all 400 object done, at least not for now :) But I mad a selection of interesting object. So this is what I will be observing and making pictures :

* 24 Planetary Nebulae

* 38 Double Objects (Galaxies and/or Starcluster) - as within the view field of my TAL200K f/8.5

* 10 Interesting Object eg. Antennae Galaxy

I already have completed the observation of 70 Herschel 400-objects of which most are part of the Messier List and PSA list. 

Start of Astronomical Twilight

As from this week untill the weekend of July 21st, skies will not get fully dark as the Sun will not go below 18° of the Horizon. This is what's called Astronomical Twilight. 

Venus - Mercury Traject May 19-23, 2020

Mercury and Venus at the evening sky during the last 5 days. As weather was good I was able to make pictures of this traject. On May 19, Mercury was South of Venus; on May 23, Mercury was North-West of Venus. 

All pictures taken with Nikon D7500 and Nikon 18-200 lens (95mm). 

Venus - Mercury May 23, 2020

Open and clear sky this evening with Venus and Mercury low above the north-western horizon. Since yesterday, Mercury is now North of Venus.

Halo

A beauriful, almost 360' Halo around the Sun this afternoon.

Venus Mercury May 21

Last night Venus and Mercury at the evening sky. Some clouds and plane trails made it difficult to track both planets at the same time.

Venus - Mercury Traject at the sky May 19, 20, 21

The last 3 days both Venus and Mercury are visible after sunset. They are getting closer and closer as seen on the pictures - of course not in space. 

All pictures taken with Nikon D7500, 95mm and ISO100.