Friday Observing 10th February

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Kevin

Quite a number of people (including several students) braved the freezing temperatures (-5C) to benefit from clear skies!

In the observatory, under the ever present risk of a thick layer of frozen snow perched periliously on the edge of the roof, the AY scope secured some fine images to add to the growing collection of Messier objects (principally open clusters).

M103 (NGC 581) an open cluster in Cassiopeia
M41 (NGC 2287) an open cluster in Canis Major
NGC 2264 The Christmas Tree Cluster & the star 15 Monoceros
M34 (NGC 1039) another open cluster in Perseus

: M103 Cassiopeia

: M41 Canis Major

: NGC2264 Christmas Tree Cluster

: M34 Perseus

Friday Observing – M67 Open Cluster Image

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Kevin

M67 OpenCluster - 27 Jan12 (click for larger)

Continuing our quest to capture images of the Messier objects, we secured another one at last night’s observing session

This image was captured using the Alan Young 22.5″ reflector telescope.

M67 (NGC 2682) in Cancer. An open cluster known to be one of the oldest in excess of 10 billion years old!!

Crab Nebula And Other Images From Our BBC Stargazing Event

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Kevin

Last Monday January 16th, we held a public observing event at our Observatory, as part of the BBC Stargazing Live 2012 programme this year.

It was successful with very clear skies and about 30 people attending.

The following images of 3 Messier objects, were taken on the night with the Alan Young telescope.

: M38 (NGC1912) Cluster In Auriga

: M1 (NGC1952) Crab Nebula (supernova remnant in Taurus)

: M37 (NGC2099) Galactic open cluster in Auriga

Wide-Field Image of Orion

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Kevin

Wide-field image of constellation Orion

This nice wide-field picture (click thumbnail image for a larger version) was taken last night at the Observatory by CADSAS member Graham.

He writes:
“One picture for the gallery. I’ve touched it up a bit but this isn’t a stacked output, just a single photo. If you look closely you can just about make out the Orion Nebula.

For those budding astrophotographers the settings for the shot were:
Exposure: 20secs
Aperture: 3.5
ISO: 1600
Focal length: 18mm

Thank you!

Alan Young Telescope Adjusted For Better Images

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Kevin

Last night, some adjustments were made to our big telescope, the Alan Young, to improve alignment.

Then taking advantage of the clear, cold night, some “test” images were taken. These are some of its sharpest images so far.

Here are 3 images of Jupiter with moons and the Orion Nebula M42. (click each thumbnail for a larger version)

: Orion Nebula M42

: Jupiter And Four Moons

: Jupiter (cropped)

Friday Observing – 25th November

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Kevin

Last night at the Cadsas Observatory, we used the AY main spotter ‘scope to take some slighter wider field images under a somewhat misty sky!

Two nice images secured (see below – click each for a larger version):

1. The Pleiades or Seven Sisters open cluster. Another Messier object – M45 near Taurus.

The Pleiades or Seven Sisters open cluster. Another Messier object - M45 near Taurus.

2. The Perseus open Double Cluster, designated NGC 869 & NGC 884

The Perseus open Double Cluster, designated NGC 869 & NGC 884

Friday Observing – 21st October

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Kevin

Last night’s viewing was good with five participants.

The Alan Young telescope bagged another Messier object (M39 – NGC7092) an open cluster (unfortunately image is slightly out of focus).

Also imaged various regions in Cygnus. Two images below:-

Gienah (epsilon Cygni) - Alan Young telescope 21/10/2011

Albireo (beta Cygni) - Alan Young telescope 21/10/2011

Friday 14th October Observing

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Kevin

Last night at the Observatory, we had our usual (if clear skies) Friday evening observing session.

Good viewing conditions enabled us to capture FOUR Messier objects with the AY ‘scope:

Andromeda Nebula M32
M2 Globular cluster in Aquarius
M15 Globular cluster in Pegasus
M57 the fantastic Ring Nebula in Lyra

Also some nice views of the 17day old Moon.

Here are a selection of images taken:

: M57 Ring Nebula – captured 14 Oct 2011 with the Alan Young telescope

: 17-day Moon – captured 14 Oct 2011 with the Alan Young telescope

: M2 Aquarius Globular Cluster – captured 14 Oct 2011 with the Alan Young telescope

: M15 Pegasus Cluster – captured 14 Oct 2011 with the Alan Young telescope

Relativity Lecture And Observing – 10th October

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Kevin

After last night’s interesting lecture “Relativity for the Non-Mathematician”, a small group (mainly students) did some observing. Due to cloud cover only the Moon & Jupiter were really available.

Between the gaps we secured this image of Jupiter on the Alan Young ‘scope.

Jupiter 10th October 2011

10-Day Moon And M13 Hercules Cluster Images

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Kevin

Here a two images taken by the Alan Young Telescope last night, at our regular Friday open-house Observatory session.

M13 Star Cluster in Hercules imaged by the Alan Young Telescope 07/10/2011

M13 Star Cluster in Hercules imaged by the Alan Young Telescope on 07/10/2011

10-day old Moon imaged by the Alan Young Telescope 07/10/2011

10-day old Moon imaged by the Alan Young Telescope on 07/10/2011, showing principal craters along terminator: Tycho (top) & Copernicus (bottom).