Pembrokeshire Astronomer
Journal of a travelling astronomer - Artist & Poet - Citizen of Starship Earth - Native of Pembrokeshire - Always a Typewriter - Often a fountain pen - Mostly a cup of tea.
Tuesday, 8 April 2025
All is quiet, hushed and still.
Sunday, 6 April 2025
The bats were flying.
The Sun had not long bid us goodnight, the bats were flying, the night was cooling, and the Moon shone down from high above.
We were parked up, not far from Simpson Cross, a village we know well, having lived there between 2001 and 2016.
Lots of happy memories in that village.
Great memories of my much used little Tal 1 Newtonian reflector are on my mind as I write these words.
It was my main telescope whilst we lived in Simpson Cross.
Tonight I had planned a test for the little red Vixen telescope.
I was trying out an old Japanese 12.5 mm eyepiece.
After the usual camera phone wobbling over the eyepiece routine, I eventually managed to capture a few half decent pictures.
The 12.5mm Japanese eyepiece is a definite keeper and a good match for the little red Vixen.
The night sky from this location often looks amazing, so clear and sharp, probably one of the best locations in the county.
BUT... the only trouble is that it has more than its usual share of cloudy nights!
Tonight was one of those clear cloud free telescope friendly nights.
The "V" of Taurus was upright and close by Pleiades was ready to head into the west.
Wednesday, 2 April 2025
Little red Vixen returns.
Saturday, 29 March 2025
Partial eclipse - Partial blue sky.
This morning's partial solar eclipse was predicted to be a disaster, with a rain, cloud and misery forecast to be spread over much of Pembrokeshire.
From our vantage point in Mynachlogddu the sky gods had different ideas.
Much cloud, small blue sky gaps, crappy solar projecting and a hatfull of patience returned several semi decent eclipse pictures.
It's been 10 years since we last witnessed a solar eclipse from Mynachlogddu; the time has flown!
Luckily, in the UK, we all only have to wait until August of 2026 to see the next one.
I've already emailed those aforementioned sky gods for a clear day on August 12th 2026.
Friday, 14 March 2025
Dreaming of Selene, as the clouds rolled in.
Well the Moon was eclipsed this morning, though from here, overlooking Newgale cliffs it was the clouds that did the eclipsing!
If memory serves, Helen and I have missed at least the last three lunar eclipses due to cloud cover.
Never mind, there's another chance to see a lunar eclipse later this autumn, on the 7th of September.
More about that in September.
As I have no photos to show from this morning's eclipse, here are a couple of my favourites from years gone by.
Thursday, 13 March 2025
Like a Moon on the wire.
These past couple of days have been cold, the nights doubly so.
But to compensate for it all the Moon has put on a great show.
Plus tomorrow morning we have a chance to see a lunar eclipse.
Martha the motorhome & the rising Crow Moon of March.
Tonight's beautiful Moon, at the moment has us both wide eyed and Moon mad.
The Crow Moon returns.
That big old Moon of March deserves a name, my favourite is the Crow Moon.
For the past week or so I have noticed the crows are shouting a lot and they noticeably have a bounce in their step when I spot them.
Lately their cawing song seems to be more up beat and melodic.
Those crafty crows know that Springtime is near, and they are shouting it to the world.
So, Crow & Crow Moon of 2025 I salute you.
As for tomorrow morning's eclipse, Helen and I will be up and about from around 4.30am.
I hope we manage to get some sleep tonight!
Fingers crossed for some cloud free sky.
Wednesday, 12 March 2025
Memories of the Moon gone by.
Tuesday, 11 March 2025
An analogue mind returns.
Friday, 7 March 2025
Typewriting the Astro.
Anyone who uses an old typewriter this way gets my vote.
Even more so if their write up is astronomy related.
The above image was found on a sheet of paper hidden in an old astronomy book I picked up a few years ago.
Before I took up blogging, (18 years ago!!), I would often type up my astro observings on whatever typewriter I had handy.
Monday, 3 March 2025
The Partial month of March.
Robin red breast in a nearby tree, the sleepy village church bell tolling ten times, the Sun shining bright and Spring like.
This spell of much awaited blue sky has been the backdrop for several recent wonderful astro events.
They included that much talked of planetary parade, (still didn't spot Saturn!), some amazing sea setting sunsets, a crescent Moon and a Venus & Mercury dance.
In the early evening last night as the frost began to grip the land, several old friends reappeared over towards the East.
Arcturus, Vega, Epsilon Lyrae, to name a few.
Those early evening stars like the ground bound daffodils and snowdrops, hint at the release of the Winter months.
Spring is definitely springing at the moment.
The Partial month of March:
There is a partial lunar eclipse in the early morning of Friday the 14th, plus a partial solar eclipse near midday on Saturday the 29th.
The camera will be ready, notebooks will be open, tea will be drunk, and cake will be eaten.
It's going to be a great month for sky watching.
Thursday, 27 February 2025
Mercury Falling - Venus so bright.
All is quiet, hushed and still.
The cloud free sky lightened by a gibbous Moon. All is quiet, hushed and still. In the distance a rally car is negotiating the next bend, ch...

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It had been a beautifully hot day, the Sun was relentless, happy, strong, and chromium yellow in a big blue cloudless sky. Our motorhome ...
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Digging around in a charity shop the other day I found an interesting book titled: The Modern Children's Library of Knowledge Bo...