There's some windy stormy weather heading towards Pembrokeshire over the next few days.
Looks as if I might not have a clear night for a while.
This gives me time to try out a few drawing and typewriter astro projects.
Here's another typewriter astro log book entry, from a few years back.
I notice no mention of the year on the above log entry, I think it was 2020.
Last night whilst digging through my astro images, I found this picture.
I haven't done one of these typewriter posts for ages!
Must make some new ones, it's long overdue.
The above observation was made with a simple 40mm refractor.
If memory serves, the refractor cost me all of £3.50 from a local charity shop, back in a time when it was possible to pick up such bargains.
Goes to show that astronomy needn't be an expensive hobby.
Last night the Moon and several planets shone their light down onto Newgale beach.
A beautiful shiny Orion took pride of place above "Martha" our trusty motorhome.
The above picture was taken with my simple tripod and phone setup.
At the moment I just stick the ISO to 3200 with two second exposure and the above image is formed.
Simple enough for now, but I would like to upgrade a little to have more of a choice, maybe a simple dslr will do the job.
We used to own a Nikon D50 dslr, it was great for night shots.
Although the D50 was only rated at 1600 ISO it was perfect for various conjunctions, transits and lunar work.
Time to get back in the astrophotography chair me thinks.
Welcome to 2025, and what better welcome than a crystal clear January 1st winter evening sky.
Such a beautiful night, stars shining and bright.
A shooting star from Auriga to Ursa Minor (Kochab). A long slow trail, slightly broken in places. Almost bright enough to be put in the bollide category.
Binocular views through my Russian 8x30s revealed M36, M37, M38, M41, M42, M44, M45 and the Hyades.
Mars was shining bright just above the Beehive Cluster M44.
21.30 UT - Leo rising near Roch Castle, a cold evening, no wind.
So silent, so welcome, it's been ages since I witnessed a night like this.
Slowly and with no fuss a few sounds meandered their way.
Firstly the distant crash of the waves on Newgale's pebbled beach, then a nearby owl hooting, plus an aeroplane high up heading out across the cold Atlantic ocean.
With fire lit and embers, wood smoke smell from chimney the stars truly became more brilliant.
There had been an aurora earlier in the evening, nothing that the eye could detect, but the phone camera captured a whisper of that familiar red.
Aurora Glow - Apologies for the wobbly wobbly stars
It was light until about 16:50 UT tonight.
Spring is definitely getting closer, the nights are starting to noticeably draw out.
Here's to many more 2025 clear skies.
There's some windy stormy weather heading towards Pembrokeshire over the next few days. Looks as if I might not have a clear night for a...
