Showing posts with label stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stars. Show all posts
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Catching the Great Bear
A few nights ago before forecasts of strong winds and heavy snow showers, there was a very clear night.
This picture was taken for 120 seconds, resulting in a discernible streak of stars. Cloud cover prevented very long exposures, but I do intend for a longer star trail one night.
The Great Bear, the Plough or Ursa Major is one of the easiest constellations to spot. The bit I recognise looking into the night sky is highlighted in pink. Everything else is drawn using Google Sky.
This picture was taken for 120 seconds, resulting in a discernible streak of stars. Cloud cover prevented very long exposures, but I do intend for a longer star trail one night.
The Great Bear, the Plough or Ursa Major is one of the easiest constellations to spot. The bit I recognise looking into the night sky is highlighted in pink. Everything else is drawn using Google Sky.
Friday, 20 February 2009
Perseus, Auriga and Pleiades - My first constellation map
In a rare break in cloud cover... I managed to get a few star shots, with dramatic ghostly red clouds approaching. This one was 63 seconds and lightened to actually see the stars!
Pleiades is thumbnailed below the Google copyright notice at the far bottom of the picture. Often mistaken for Ursa Minor or "Little Bear" (at least by us) because of its shape, it is actually an open star cluster and prominent in the winter sky.
Auriga is shaped like a charioteers helmet and following on the same theme, Perseus who also wears a pointy hat was the Greek mythical hero who killed Medusa (using his highly polished bronze shield gifted by Athena) and married Andromeda having saved her from Ceto, escaping with flying sandals.
Pleiades is thumbnailed below the Google copyright notice at the far bottom of the picture. Often mistaken for Ursa Minor or "Little Bear" (at least by us) because of its shape, it is actually an open star cluster and prominent in the winter sky.
Auriga is shaped like a charioteers helmet and following on the same theme, Perseus who also wears a pointy hat was the Greek mythical hero who killed Medusa (using his highly polished bronze shield gifted by Athena) and married Andromeda having saved her from Ceto, escaping with flying sandals.
I'm amazed that we actually managed to identify these stars, thank you Google Sky!
Off for a weekend to visit the patch of England where Dracula landed. Hopefully more dark clear night skies to come.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
The Sky at Night
Liking the 5 second apart red airplane spot in the top right corner of the black star sky photo.
Streetlight ruining the greenish glow star photo.
Tripod, 30 seconds.
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