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Transit of Mercury and Sunspots
A Transit of Mercury in front of the Sun is happening, and after at first I am mentally in the wrong time zone, at least I have set up well in time. My sun filter for the C11 needs a dab of lacquer to cover a bald spot, my blackboard lacquer is in hiding, so…
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Second First Light
Erla’s father had bequeathed her a 102 mm/1000 mm Refractor by Bresser, complete with tripod, mount and so on. After the individual components had finally reached us at our place of residence, last year, we had taken stock and found to our consternation that the mounting brackets were missing. The bits fastening the tube to…
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The word on the repairs
After the drama of a few weeks ago, I finally get news about my secondary mirror assembly: the repairs are done, and pleasantly affordable.
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Screwed Up
After having used the new site out in the sticks twice and having to realise that not only does the army discharge firearms there, but also hunters, and that it is an extremely moist environment, with the fog coming up from the ground so that my optics fog up even while I’m still polar aligning…
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Comet Lovejoy, first attempt
After a long time without any opportunity to observe anything, and a few updates my relevant software, I finally have the opportunity to take care of this year’s blockbuster comet. The new house has a roof garden, and I have a tripod and a camera.
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Global (Re-)positioning
After a turbulent year comprising a major move into a different area and various other hindrances, today I finally had the time to search for a suitably dark spot for astronomical activities. Within an 18 mi radius there are several promising spots. Some of those, however, are out before even looking at them because there…
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Noctilucent clouds
In the morning, while going to bed, my gaze strays out of the bedroom window and what do I see: NLCs! So I get out the photography stuff, set up as best possible and as far northerly as possible at the window and get what shots I can. Result to the left. Proud as a…
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The Comet, Chapter 2 (PANSTARRS C/2011 L4)
After there having been a few messages through the email distribution system of the Lübeck observatory, by a few people who want to go out for observation, there is an addendum that they intend to go west of the city of Lübeck to avoid its light dome. I contribute the idea of going to the army training…
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PANSTARRS C/2011 L4
Clear weather has been predicted. And there is a comet in the sky, at magnitude 0.6. Which is pretty bright as such things go. Weeks ago, Olli of the Observatory suggested a certain spot in a small city park opposite the island the historical inner city is built on, on the banks of the Wakenitz,…
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It was totally clear from the beginning… that it wouldn’t be totally clear
After months of frustration due to constantly blocked skies, with exceptions lasting only minutes, a clear sky has been predicted. So I try to stock up on sleep, so I can spend a proper night out in the fields. Of course, I oversleep, so it is 9 pm before I am on my way out.…
