Monday 4 March 2024

Late evening Aurora.

Last night the Aurora Borealis was visible throughout a large portion of the UK.

Here in Pembrokeshire it did not disappoint, though in my case I missed the main display, which I believe was around 6.00pm - 7.00 pm.

I, as usually happens with aurora, was a few hours late on the uptake!

We were parked up last night in an excellent spot, near Mynachlogddu. 

The skies were clear, very dark and cold. 

Luckily at around 11.00pm I was outside taking in the night sky. 

Whilst looking to the North I could faintly, albeit very faintly, detect a hint of possible aurora activity, just over the top of nearby Carn Meinir.

I took a few shots with our camera phone, around eight seconds at ISO3200.

I was surprised to find the aurora clear and bright in the images.





The photos were nowhere near as good as some online amateur photos, though considering my camera setup I was happy to have obtained the above.

My photos reminded me of the aurora pictures I used to see in astronomy magazines back in the early 80's.

I have the aurora app on our phone, and from now on I'll make sure it can send me any notifications of impending solar storms

That will teach me to set up the app properly in future.



Tuesday 27 February 2024

The Sun & Moon in Eclipse.

Thought these diagrams might be of interest to eclipse chasers in the UK.

From one of my favourite astronomy books, written by the great Welsh Moon mapper Percy Wilkins.



I noticed the forthcoming April solar eclipse is absent from the list.


Considering we in the UK will only glimpse it for maybe a few minutes I can see why the event wasn't included.

If you ever spot a copy of "Guide to the Heavens" buy it quickly, you won't be disappointed, a great trip down amateur astronomy memory lane. 


Sunday 18 February 2024

Lunar Flying & Selenites


These past many weeks (months!), Pembrokeshire has not been kind to astronomers. 

Lots of rain and too much wind have kept the dustcaps on all telescopes in our county. 

Tonight that all changed.

It was a pleasure to finally take the telescope out and do a bit of Lunar watching. 

Since it was the "first light" for this little Skywatcher refractor I thought the Moon would make a great target. 

High up in the sky and clear of the horizon murk and dust, the views the refractor delivered were very steady and sharp. 

No real observing of craters was done, this evening I only wanted to fly over the Moon.

Tonight's moon peep was for soaking in the moonlight, whilst lost in my thoughts of H.G.Wells' Selenites, Apollo landings and future lunar drawing projects.


Fingers firmly crossed for better weather and clearer skies.

The pencils are sharpened, the ink pens are waiting; can't wait to make some Lunar sketches and drawings.

Clear Skies wherever you are. 

Mark.

Monday 25 December 2023

The night of Christmas day

 

This year's Christmas tree

The roaring winds dropped, the clouds parted and the night of Christmas day was cloaked in the light of the nearly full moon.

We had waited weeks for a sky clearing, and here it was, I wasn't about to waste any of it.

Helen and I stood outside for ages, drinking in the stillness of this most Christmas night.

The scudding clouds touched the moon and wiped away the days of wind and rain.

It has been ages since we witnessed a near full moon in such a quiet setting. No cars, no planes, no dogs on leads barking at trees. 

The absence of all 21st century racket and rush was most welcomed.

Not a soul to be seen; all at home enjoying the Christmas evening.

To the South Selene was up high, shining with almost a full December intensity. 
 
Overhead Cassiopeia.

To the West a tall pine tree with a star above (Hello Jupiter) made up completely for our lack of actual Christmas tree in our motorhome.  

To the North, a vixen was calling to the night.

For several minutes she gave out her haunting call.

The cry of the vixen

All in all it was a perfect Christmas night.




Friday 1 December 2023

Return of the blue skies Sol.


Not much chance of astronomy these past few weeks. 

Partly due to the weather, and partly due to having a stinking cold a week or so ago! 

Thankfully the cold has now gone, and the blue skies are back.

The pst was taken out for a quick peep at Sol.

I only have my small tripod at the moment, so everything is a bit wobbly to say the least.

A few Sol shots were captured, but mainly it was all naked eye viewing this morning. 

The camera I use had a flat battery, so I tried out my other phone camera... nowhere near as good, but it managed to capture two of the major prominence.

Loads of sunspots today, this solar cycle is definitely picking up.


Sunday 22 October 2023

Moonlight over Newgale.

Took a spin to Newgale today, we haven't been for ages, at least not since the pandemic. 

It was wonderful to see the vast stretch of beach. 

Helen and I, and our son Jac spent fifteen years living only two miles from this glorious seafront ( 2001-2016).  

Today, with every footstep we made in the sand, it was a trip down memory lane.

The gibbous Moon was visible over the nearby hill, only the second time we have seen it this lunation, blame the wind and rain!

As the night deepened, I set up the camera phone on a flimsy little £3 tripod I bought a few days ago.

After a bit of trail and error I managed to capture the following. 


Mizar and Alcor (The Horse & Rider)

Amazing that the phone was able to capture Mizar AND Alcor, I didn't expect that.

The view from the camper van of the Moonlight over Newgale will stay with us always. 



Sunday 15 October 2023

Sundogs over Mynachlogddu.

The sky gods behaved today, mo more rain for awhile. 

The last few weeks have been a testing time for any astronomical activities. 

So much rain! So many cloudy nights!

Today all sins have been forgiven, the good weather quietly and calmly returned to Pembrokeshire.

We ventured over to Waldo's stone over at Rhosfach Common near Mynachlogddu.

 Dammit, my finger has photo bombed again!

There was an excellent Sundog event in progress.

Lots of information on the Internet about sundogs, not so many actual displays, it was great to see one today. 

I think the last time we spotted one was back last December. 

They always seem to occur on those most quiet and calming still air days.



Late evening Aurora.

Last night the Aurora Borealis was visible throughout a large portion of the UK. Here in Pembrokeshire it did not disappoint, though in my c...