The Astro thread.

[Supernova]

Last night was the biggest full moon for a long time, but I cant take a pic because my camera is busted and it was my birthday and a beer got in the way.

 

:unsure:

[judygram]

I think beer gets in the way more than you think but it is a gorgeous picture and she knew you would appreciate it.

[Greywings]

There was too much cloud deck for us to enjoy it then but last night we got glimpses through the veil of clouds. Did any of you see this update on Gamma flashes in our upper Atmo? Oh, I love the name of the spacecraft.

TERRESTRIAL GAMMA-RAY FLASHES: There's a mystery in the skies of Earth. Something is producing bright flashes of gamma radiation in the upper atmosphere of our own planet. A spacecraft called 'Firefly' is going to investigate: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2010/29jan_firefly.htm

 

That is a simply gorgeous photograph.<br><br>Post edited by: Greywings, at: 2010/02/01 15:34

[Supernova]

Very interesting find but I cant help thinking the satellite it looking a bit like Dr Who's tardis.

 

Only joking.

 

GAMMA-RAY bursts are something to be feared, not nice.

 

But these seem harmless enough.

[Luvparrots]

Oh my!!! This thread is all way over my head!!!! :laugh:

[Greywings]

Nice Bernie very nice.

[Supernova]

luvparrots wrote:

Oh my!!! This thread is all way over my head!!!! :laugh:

Ahem :whistle:

[Luvparrots]

Yep over my head!!!! Did you have a great birthday Bernie!!! Happy Birthday!!

<br><br>Post edited by: luvparrots, at: 2010/02/03 21:18

[katana600]

Ha ha, you all just make my day with your pictures, puns and well... just you Bernie... happy birthday!!!

[Greywings]

Beautiful and belated wishes for your Happy Birthday may it be the best year yet!

[Greywings]

Polar cap of Mars- POLAR ACTIVITY ON MARS: Amateur astronomers monitoring Mars have noticed a sudden change in the appearance of the planet's arctic regions. "Over the weekend a dust stream appeared," reports Pete Lawrence of Selsey, UK, "and it is cutting across Mars' north polar cap." He photographed the activity using a 14-inch Celestron:

 

Polar dust storms are common at this time of year on Mars. It is springtime in the Martian north. Temperature differences between polar ice and darker regions to the south, which are heated by the springtime sun, stir up winds and streamers of rusty-red dust. In years past, the Hubble Space Telescope has observed dramatic dust storms at the edge of the northern polar cap--and now amateurs are seeing them, too. Train your optics here.

[kittykittykitty]

Belated Happy Birthday to You, Bernie! Thank you to everyone who liked the moon at the N Pole and many thanks to Judy for posting it. I really enjoy this thread!

[Supernova]

Jill, Peter lawerence lives very near Patrick Moore I have met him at Patricks many times he is a great imager

and is allways getting his pics in the sky at night mag,

I did get my Jupiter pic published but thats all :blush: :(

[Supernova]

Thanks for all the best wishes for my birthday, everybody :kiss: :kiss:

[kittykittykitty]

Hey, what's new in the universe- new news about WIMPS, black holes or anything? Or is it only about Olympic "stars?" :silly:

[Supernova]

I have some great news !!

 

I have been asked by the Hants Astro society to put my 16in telescope in a specialy built Observatory, not far from where I live, I had a meeting with them today and I have agreed to move it there this Saturday, in return I will be made a core team member of the society and have free membership :D:D

I will be able to get funded by there sponsers for some things and they have asked me to review some very expensive equipment so I will be able to show you all some better pics of the universe, this will be possable because my telescope will be on a motorised mount and polar aligned so I will be able to take pics of deep space objects not just the Moon and the planets.

 

The motorised mount will mean that the scope will track the stars at the precise speed and be able to get a clear positive shot, this I cant do now, I am very excited about it.

 

The reason My scope has been chosen is because the optics are very very near perfect, checked by a laser interferometer and the report is stunning.

 

In a nut shell if the main mirror was magnifed to the same curve of the Earth from the north pole to the south pole the largest imperfection would be smaller then 4 ins.

 

That is up to Hubble standards.

 

I am very chuffed. :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Edited May 21, 2010 by Supernova

[Luvparrots]

Congratulations Bernie and kudos to you my man!!!! Very proud of you. Can't wait to see some great pictures of our universe!!! I applaud you!!!!

[Supernova]

:oaww thank you very much, but the pics will not be out till this winter so loads of work to do yet.

 

[JillyBeanz]

Oh my goodness! Now we shalt have to start bowing and tipping our brow to you! What excellent news Bernie - can't wait to see the pictures. Very deserved!!

[Supernova]

Thanks JILL.

But the pics will be some time coming cos lotts to do this year.

I have just received the formal stuff and tommorow the Big scope will be on its way to its new home.

 

:):)

 

Bernie.

[Supernova]

My Scope is now in its new home and I cant wait to see the developement this coming year will bring, I have just had a call to let me know there are 8 well known Astronomers coming tonight to see it, but I cant be there because I have to go a wedding reception this evening :mad::mad::mad:

They are going to take some pics tonight with my scope and when I get them I will show you.

It is going to be featured on the front page of there magazine.

 

I am very happy.

 

Bernie.

[Luvparrots]

Congratulations Bernie, you should be proud. I can't wait to see the pictures of these "big shots." Now stiff upper lip, get on that monkey suit (formal wear) and toast the wedding couple for all of us!!!!

[Supernova]

The wedding was great and I did a bit on stage that got a laugh hehe, anyway I got a call from the top man in the Asro group and he was gobsmacked with my scope, 7 turned up and they are going to do a write up in the magazine and the front cover pic of the scope.

 

It is becoming famous here and I think I could be left out a bit, but the plans for the observatory are moving up now they are all keen to help out.

[pearllyn]

In a nut shell if the main mirror was magnifed to the same curve of the Earth from the north pole to the south pole the largest imperfection would be smaller then 4 ins.

 

Wow Bernie - that's very impressive! I'm just catching up on this thread - how exciting for you! Do make sure you keep a hand in - that's your baby! Don't let them leave you behind!

Glad the wedding went well. Now what on earth could you have done on stage that got a giggle.......?

[kittykittykitty]

Oh, Burnie!!! I am so excited!!!!!! Congratulations and all that jazz. Talk about a good 'scope! And maybe, just maybe, your 'scope will come up with some of the fascinating stuff to show what's going on in this crazy universe. Maybe???? Wish I understood it more.