Archive for the ‘Observing’ Category

NGC2403 Imaged by John Moore

NGC 2403, a face-on spiral galaxy in the constellation Camelopardalis, is a member one of the M81 group of galaxies.  Although a conspicuous galaxy it was missed by Charles messier when he compiled his catalogue and its discivery is attributed to William Herschel (in 1788).  NGC 2403 is located...
March 8th, 2010 | Featured Articles, John Moore | Read More

Eskimo Nebula (NGC2392) Imaged by John Moore

Eskimo Nebula - click to enlarge  Eskimo Nebula in narrowband. RGB = Ha, O3, S2. Total exposure 2.5hrs with a C11
March 8th, 2010 | Featured Articles, John Moore | Read More

Local news on light pollution

Interesting news on the BBC website regarding the installation of new lighting in Surrey. It’s good news for Astronomers in that the new lights are directional and will be dimmed. Bad news is that the illumination cannot be blocked by filters. But it’s good to see a council balancing the...
March 3rd, 2010 | Observing | Read More

Mars 1st March – Imaged by John Moore

Imaged under good seeing conditions
March 2nd, 2010 | John Moore | Read More

Observing Calendar for February 9th to March 8th 2010 by Steve Woodbridge

Observing Calendar February 9th to March 8th 2010 (all times GMT) by Steve WoodbridgeDate  February 10th Syrtis Major (the most prominent marking on Mars) on the central meridian at midnight. Mars is currently at its most prominent for 2 years and although its disc is only around 13-14” arc...
February 8th, 2010 | Sky Diary | Read More

Observing Calendar for January – February 2010 by Steve Woodbridge

Observing Calendar January 12th to February 8th 2010 (all times GMT) by Steve Woodbridge  Date  January 12th Venus 1 day past superior conjunction. Venus is effectively invisible this period.January 15th New MoonJanuary 15th Procyon culminates at midnight. Procyon is the brightest star...
January 10th, 2010 | Sky Diary | Read More

Rosette Nebula (NGC2237) Imaged by John Moore

Rosette Nebula - click to enlarge The Rosette Nebula imaged with a Pentax 105SDHF and 0.67 focal reducer. Total of 5hrs narrowband.
January 6th, 2010 | John Moore | Read More

The Great Orion Nebula (M42) Imaged by John Moore

M42, The Great Orion Nebula in narrowband. 2.8 hrs of Ha, O3 and S2 with a Pentax 105SDHF. Click to enlarge
January 4th, 2010 | John Moore | Read More

Flights to sunny spots

Astronomers face a number of factors that can influence our view or image of the stars and planets even in a “clear” sky. Some of them are natural effects, like clouds or the light from a bright Moon. Moisture in the atmosphere can also play a big part and is the reason why the stars “twinkle”...
December 28th, 2009 | Observing | Read More

Why can’t I see fabulous coloured nebulae with my telescope?

We are all used to seeing fabulous, colourful images from space, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope or from some of the world’s best observatories, and I know this prompts many people to want to buy their own telescopes with expectations of seeing these delights first hand, only to result in...
December 11th, 2009 | Featured Articles, Observing, Resources | Read More