Warming by the fire.

Jupiter and the Moon 17/04/16

I was feeling the cold tonight, so I decided to light the fire and grab myself some dandelion coffee.  

Observing Luna would have to wait another night.

Though I didn't entirely abandon the Moon.

Before packing away the telescope I captured a few images of beautiful gibbous Selene.

17/04/2016

The above image is a bit blurred at the edges, this is due to the method of photo capture that I use. namely afocal photography.

Best described with this photo:

afocal photography

Afocal photography is a brilliant way of capturing astro images, all you have to do is simply place the camera lens over the eyepiece of the telescope. 

Though sometimes it can be a bit hit and miss. Tonight's lunar image was a bit miss around the lunar limb. 

Blame it on camera shake from cold hands.

 

As I was packing away the telescope ominous dark clouds to the west were gathering and slowly rolling in for the night.

Maybe sitting by the warming fire isn't such a bad idea.


Warm fingers crossed for more clear skies in the week ahead.

Birdsong and the Moon

Tonight a blackbird was perched on Gilbert's roof, singing a song for the Moon.

A perfect evening to train the Jason refractor onto the waxing crescent.

The nearby blackbird gently sang and the troubles of the world melted away.