topanimation.gif (110069 bytes)    planeticon2.gif (1979 bytes)

 

Don't forget this months basic astronomy course online

Latitude 53 degrees 20 Minutes NORTH Longitude 2 degrees 40 minutes WEST

My Equipment

My Images

Other Web Sites

Guides, Doc's and Files

Go to the Weather

Go to my observing Diary

Go Back to Home

Email me

 

 

Welcome to my Diary page. This is were I make any noteworthy entries about my observing sessions.

Thursday 17th Jan 2002 Well this is my first entry. I will try to keep these up to date as possible. Thursday day was mainly clear skies expect for the odd scattering of cloud. I managed to get around 3 hours observing. I was going to plan an astrophotography session, but in the early evening the cloud scattering was quite frequent. Therefore, I decided to observe only. After a while, the clouds disappeared althoughter, but by this time I had caught the observing bug and decided to observe only.

I took in the big bright targets, Jupiter first. All four moons were out that night and the viewing was good. Then on to Saturn to observe the visually stunning ring system. The Cassini division was fairly easily resolvable. Once I had had my fill of the main planets, it was on to M42, the Great Orion Nebula. This is always spectacular, and when Orion is below the horizon during the summer months, then i really miss viewing this wonder full object.

A series of open clusters were next, specifically, M35, M36, M37 and M38. The first being in Gemini and the last three in Auriga. I like open clusters because they give me the feeling of moving through space when I look deep into them.

Then it was onto some beautiful double stars, Almach and Albireo. The main star being a reddish / yellow star, whilst the smaller companion star is a striking blue.

I spent the rest of the evening looking at star colours. Betelgeuse was wonderfully large and red, whilst Rigel had its usual blueish tint.

When the time came to pack up, it was because I was tired and getting cold rather than the clouds forcing the session over. A very rare occurance indeed.

Saturday 19th Jan Well the day stated off great. The afternoon was better, absolutely no clouds. However, as per normal, someone must have received a new telescope and let the clouds out of the box.
Tuesday 22nd Jan The weather has been pretty dreadful recently with no opportunity to get out. But to brighten things up, I picked up my latest photo's today. The best ones can be seen in the Gallery section. I am really pleased with M42.
Wednesday 13th Feb The only night that has been clear so far. What a terrible month for bad weather. Spent some time imaging in Polar mode. Use a number of different techniques on bright objects such as M42 and M45 so the exposure times are at a minimum. Waiting for the prints to come back.
Saturday 23rd Feb It is official. February;s weather has been crap.
Friday 23rd November Summer has been a bit of a wash out. However, now the dark nights are back, I am hoping from some better viewing opportunities. I have persuaded my better half that she should get me a Wedge for the LX90 this Christmas, so here's hoping.

The Leonids were a total wash out for the UK this year again. In fact I don't think it has been clear where I live for any of the popular Meteor showers..

Sunday 22nd December There has been some good nights of late and I have been taking some images using Kodak Slide film. I am still awating the results back. I have started to use Registax. This is giving me some pleasing results. See my Lunar images processed with Registax