Pembrokeshire Astronomer

Thursday, 21 April 2011

Sun Filter Project.

I thought it time to make myself a solar filter for the TAL telescope.

Before I say anything...please be careful when viewing the Sun, only use approved sun filters and projection methods.

Even looking at the Sun with the naked eye for a few seconds can cause damage.

I found this out the hard way about 32 years ago.

I still have the small scar on my left retina to prove it!

As the prices of ready made filters range from £40 to £90 for my particular telescope, I decided to make one incoporating the Baader solar film, which cost £18.

I would buy the ready made item, but at the moment all my pennies are going towards my next project, that of building my observatory.

The initial idea for my construction method is described here:-

http://www.baader-planetarium.com/sofifolie/bauanleitung_e.htm with slight alterations made by me.

I've placed an order for the solar film.
But I bet with the bank holiday post, I'll probably receive delivery next tuesday/wednesday.

This is how I intend fixing the solar film to the holder.

When the solar film arrives I will post some more pictures of my progress.

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Trying out the Tal ...down to Newgale...

Earlier this evening I got it into my head to try some astro observing from our local beach ...Newgale.

Helen and I got to Newgale at just gone 8:00pm, the night was drawing in fast.

I set up the TAL scope and first on the list was the three day (or thereabouts!!) moon..... a lovely crescent.

Mare Crisium took on the appearance of a smiley face. The 25mm plossl gave a good view...also the 15mm kellner ( I think it's a Kellner) was surprisingly good , giving quite sharp images.

I left the smiley moon and waited for the stars to switch on in the darkening twilight.

Sirius was first, followed quickly by Betelguese.

A couple of minutes later Rigel said hello.

Looking through the 25mm plossl and using a X3 Barlow, the lovely blue secondary of Rigel could easily be seen.

As Leo was well positioned two more doubles, Algeiba and Regulus went down in the observing log.

Castor was next ...what a beautiful double....

Then once again back to the smiley face of Mare Crisium...followed by a look at one of my favourites Aldebaran.....

It was about 9:00pm by now we were ready to head off home.

Whilst I was observing, Helen had been beachcombing and had brought back enough driftwood to build a log cabin......!!

Finally before packing up I trained the Tal onto Cor Caroli in Canes Venatici......another beautiful double ...

As you can probably guess I like observing double stars :0)

I managed to find some telescope room in the car amongst the driftwood, then we headed home.

I haven't tried mobile observing for many months...

This was my first attempt at Newgale....

Well worth the effort..... I'll be back!!!

Clear Skies

Mark

Tuesday, 11 January 2011

Transit of Venus 8th of June 2004

It's been a while since a put a post on here, thought it time to remedy that.

Whilst looking through my astronomy logbook I found this picture of the Venus transit back in 2004.

This photo was taken in our back garden. The day started badly, with cloud cover looking to spoil the event of a lifetime.

Luckily about 9.00am it cleared up and we had beautiful blue skies for the remainder of the transit.

This photo was taken with a Canon EOS1000 on something called "film emulsion"

Some post imaging has been done to the picture, in other words I fiddled with the contrast

Tuesday, 27 July 2010

Basilicos, Cor Leonis, Stella Regina, Regulus

Regulus...what a poetic star.

Here is a poem I found recently by the Greek astronomer-poet Theodore Stephanides....

"I teach Man with the atom of his brain to weigh a flaming sun in wisdom's scales, to gauge the Galaxy from pole to pole, to read the secret of each starry train; and in the Infinite's unwinding trails, to lose mortality and find the soul."

Such poetry and dreaming these stars do bring.