Go ahead. Giggle it up! I’ll proceed with the post, bloviate a bit and then explain why it actually shouldn’t be as funny as it is. Well, I take that back. See, to geriatric Millennials such as myself, it will ALWAYS be funny! Who wouldn’t think it hysterical to go to class and learn about […]
Mars is an unexpectedly difficult planet to image. At least for me. This is the best I’ve been able to do to date (11/30/2022). If you’re good at squinting, zoom your eyeballs in on the lower right quadrant of the celestial ball. I’m not trying to brag or anything, but, see that darkish tint? Yep, […]
Well, kids, as the title says it was “almost” a spectacular event. A lunar occultation of a planetary body (say that 5 times really fast to your teacher!). We’re located about 500 miles south of the viewing region. So we couldn’t actually see Mars pass behind the moon, it kind of went to the side […]
Kids, I just realized I’ve been somewhat neglecting the planet that sent me (us) down this rabbit hole of amateur astronomy…Jupiter. I feel a tad bit guilty for not paying him the proper homage worthy of such a massive planet. How massive, you ask? What a great question, kids (I knew I was doing a […]
In preparation of its upcoming opposition, I have begun imaging Mars. Mars’ opposition will occur on December 8, 2022, but it will be closest to Earth on December 1, 2022. During opposition, Mars will be found in the constellation Taurus.
Guys, I’m pleased to announce a breakthrough in our processing! To show the importance of post-processing in astrophotography, inputting the same video, I can now go from this…. to this…. Ahhh…..the Cassini Division!
Amateurly processed image of Jupiter with two of its Galilean moons, Callisto and Io. Also, the famed ‘Great Red Spot’ is faintly visible in the upper right quadrant of the planet. (10-07-2022)
Amateurly processed image of Saturn. More specifically, this is a snippet taken from a video I took by holding my iPhone up to the telescope eyepiece. Equipment: 6″ Orion SkyQuest Dobsonian reflector with handheld iPhone 11 Pro Max. (10-07-2022)
First look at Saturn through a 70mm Gskyer refractor….chromatic abberation and all!
This is the spark that ignited my passion for astronomy. I had already developed a keen interest in all things “Space” thanks to my daughter, who will be the first human to set foot on Mars (my son’s going to be a Blue Angel, but I don’t think he realizes yet that Navy fighter pilots […]