Friday 11 May 2012

Waiting for the evening star....

Tal1 patiently waiting to snag the evening star
The back garden doesn't get used that often for astronomical observing, it's a pity as it affords some lovely views of the setting inferior planets .

Tonight though it was time for the Tal1 to be let loose on Venus. 

I simply parked up the scope and waited for the night to draw in...

About an hour later the sky was still blue, but Venus shone brightly......
......time to put the Tal into  action....

Firstly I took this image with just the 25mm plossl and the zoom on my digicam:

Afocal image.. with simple digicam
Then I connected our Nikon D50 via a camera adapter to the Tal's focuser using the prime focus method...

It took a few attempts to capture a decent image, but finally I managed the following image.
Nikon D50 prime focus plus x3 Barlow
Not the best shot in the world, but at least it gave me a record of the current Venusian phase...

It was a beautiful evening, the seeing was Antoniadi II but I would guess sometimes the clarity hinted at maybe an Antonadi of I........  the best seeing for many months I reckon....

4 comments:

  1. Fun to see Tal1 working out......he did not even break a sweat! Was he using any sunscreen? He is very fair skinned!

    I would not even attempted to do Mars - amazing view you had! Yup the last time I looked it was a gibbous blob!

    I too like to set up a scope on the Sun/Moon and do yard work w/ breaks into space! Makes pond cleaning/maintenance, shrub trimming (when I do not injure myself!)lawn cutting go slower - oh I mean faster! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 13, 2012

      Hi SUG.... :0)

      Tal1 loved every minute of it.... having the scope sitting ready in the back garden made a nice change, the weather was glorious yesterday..... and the seeing last night was the best for many months....

      Yes he is a bit fair skinned... :0)) I'll have to order some special Tal sunblock..... :0))

      Any Martian detail is thanks to my right eye...

      My left eye has a tiny scar on the retina.....Just enough eye damage to wash out any detail on tiny Mars...

      9.2 arcseconds !! It'll be interesting to see as to when the Tal will reach it's Mars visual limit.....

      Because I often work from home, the shed roof is usually rolled back in good weather ..just incase I need a quick Solar fix.... :0)

      We are official members of the BYA......... Back Yard Astronomers.. :0)

      I hope your finger is on the mend......

      Time here 00:46 Sunday morning...... I have to get some REM sleep......

      Talk to you soon Rich

      Pembs.....

      Delete
  2. Do you think TAL1 would enjoy helping me here in NV w/ my yard work?

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 13, 2012

    He'd love it..... I know he'd particularly enjoy helping out, under those beautiful NV blue skies... :0)

    ReplyDelete

The French Scorpion.

Last night we camped in the village of Sereilhac, some maybe 20 miles south west of Limoges. The temperature all day hovered around 30°C !  ...