Newest Toy..

Yesterday I finalized the deal for a new astro-camera, a modified Canon Rebel XS or 1000D. This is a brand new camera that has been 'modified' by having the manufacturer's IR filter removed and replaced with a new filter - in this case a Baader UV/IR filter (hit clicky and look for option 3). Why a modified camera? Well, the deep ( Read more... )

A Collaborative Effort

If you had attended Pixie's b-day party, you might have noticed the absence of the doctor for a couple hours. Some of that time I was observing and check in the field, at other times I was busy imaging. eaterofgodz and I were working on making a Lunar Mosaic with his old 6.3 MP Canon and my 12-inch LX200. After a lot of test shots to ( Read more... )

In just over a week, it has gone from Winter snows, spring wildflowers and now summer-like temperatures. It is expected to reach near 80 degrees F today, under bright sunny skies. After being totally stumped from *any* decent Saturn imaging last week (horrible atmospheric turbulence) - the forecast this evening is for clear and steady skies ( Read more... )

Use it or lose it..

I'm very close to carrying the State's maximum number of 'annual leave' time hours - so it is 'use it or lose it' this week. I have two unused personal days, plus the near max build-up of annual leave so the only day I'll work this week is on Wednesday.

Still going downThe local price of gas has dipped below the $1.40 mark ( Read more... )

A several weeks ago, I think I shocked some on my f-list by posting a selection of scenic landscapes for Earth Day. truth is, I've been taking pictures of 'Earthly Shiny' long before imaging the universe. One of my first 'real cameras' was the venerable SLR (single lens reflex) known as the Pentax K1000. I had several lenses - a 50mm f/1.7, 28mm ( Read more... )

It's Lunar Eclipse Time

Just after sunset in the eastern sky, the Full Moon will arise in a total eclipse for those living in the East Coast and parts of the Midwest (Pacific coasters = NADA). It will be the first time since October 2004 that a Total Lunar Eclipse will be visible for North America. You will need to have a good eastern horizon and ( Read more... )