As I was walking into work this morning (5:30am) I saw a picture that I could not pass up. It was the waning moon rising up above one of our satellite dishes on the roof at work in Hartford. Below it is the planet Venus. A great way to start the week, especially if you did not see many Perseids at all last night. … [Read more...]
We image the ISS, and the ISS images us
Below is one of the pictures that I have shot of the International Space Station as it regularly passes overhead here in Connecticut. Many times as it has come over the horizon and into view, I have always wondered if any of the astronauts were up there taking pictures of us on the ground. They sure have! We might be in darkness most of the time we see it, but the … [Read more...]
Full Worm Moon
It was a wonderful evening to go worm hunting. That's Worm Moon hunting! With great weather upon us I took advantage of it and chased down the full Worm Moon last night. This time trying to get it coming up in back of the historic New London's Ledge Lighthouse. Everything was going to plan until a bank of low clouds moved in. The moon slithered through the cloud layer, … [Read more...]
Castle Moon over Meriden, Connecticut
If comets, asteroids, planets, and winter storms can be named, I could name my own moon images. Keeping it local I present to you for the first time (drum roll please).....The February Castle Moon, Meriden, Connecticut! The sun was about to go down, and the "Golden Hour" of photography was approaching. I set up my equipment about 5.5 miles away in Cheshire, CT. where I … [Read more...]
Northeast Aurora hides again
Even if the prediction for a aurora is good in your area it is up to the weather gods to help you out. Tonight all the stars were coming together. A solar storm was in progress. The best one in years. The moon had set by 7:00pm. Packed up the car with all the photo equipment, and found my perfect northern horizon to shoot at. All was great...except the clouds rolled … [Read more...]
Crescent moon and Venus make a nice pairing
I had a chance to get a shot of a nice pairing of the 2% cresent moon and the planet Venus. The weather was cooperating and I had a nice location picked out in Hartford. I had been there before when there was a 3 planet conjunction a few years ago. Tonight was a sucess combining the two of the with Hartford's Colt Dome in the middle. Here's a closer image of just the … [Read more...]
The Full Beaver Moon Fly-By
The clouds were slowly coming in, and the moon was coming up. In November it's named the Beaver Moon. This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now preparing for winter. I wanted to capture some images of the … [Read more...]
McGee School Astronomy Club outing
Battling an almost full moon, and frosty ground conditions, the McGee School Astronomy Club in Berlin, Connecticut, held an observing session on Nov. 19th. The viewing grounds were just down the street at the Willard School field, which provided plenty of parking, and a large field to set up in. Assisting club mentor Laurie Averill, were several members of the Astronomical … [Read more...]
M33 autumn image gets some serious television time
It was a surprise this morning when I got into work and saw Rachel Frank, one of our FOXCT meteorolgists showing my colorful autumn image of M33 the Triangulum Galaxy during her weather segment. Nobody on the morning show knew what a M33 was, never mind it was in the constellation of Trianglulum. Without missing a beat, Rachel explained what it was, and who took the image. Some … [Read more...]
Best yet M31 image in one minute
It's been quite a astrophotography weekend (read posts below) starting with comet Hartley 2, a neat shot of the M33 Galaxy in the trees, and now to top it off a personal best of M31 in a single one minute exposure. This time taken with a 300mm lens at f/4 at 3200 iso. Three nights of great weather and great skies. I love the fall! … [Read more...]