NJAA Astro Photography: July 2020

Monday, July 27, 2020

Here's a great shot of Comet NEOWISE by Mike Peoples

Thanks Mike

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Comet Neowise C/2020 image improved by stacking.

Al Ernst improved his image of Comet C/2020 (NEOWISE) by stacking it in Nebulosity. Taken in Martinsville, NJ, USA with a Canon 6D, ISO 1600 using 12x 15 seconds.
Awesome close up Al, thanks.
Keith

Thursday, July 16, 2020

N16/NGC 6611 "Eagle Nebula" looks great in NJAA's local area

M16/NGC 6611 - The Eagle Nebula is a star forming region in the constellation Serpens. The gas and dust clouds at the center of the nebula is known as "The Pillars of Creation" as seen by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope's images.
Tim Schott used his 10" Third Planet Optics RC Truss scope with a Nikon D850a on a Losmandy G11 from Easton, Pennsylvania.
Well done, Tim, looking to see more of your work.
Keith

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Comet C2020 (NEOWISE) viewed from a Somerst County Park

I took these images from the parking lot of a local park in central NJ... the important feature there is a view all the way down to the western - northern horizon. Some small bushes block a little view but I think that adds to the photo! I used a Nikon DSLR with a 28 - 300mm lens at 28mm and 105mm. Exposure was ISO 1000, 10" at f5.6 on a tripod and the self-timer.
Keith Marley

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

The Pandemic Has A Bright Side

The Covid 19 Pandemic has had a effect on us all, but Tim Schott shows there is still some beauty in the world with this image of the NEOWISE C/2020 Comet. No details of how he got the shot, but its awesome!
Thanks Tim,
Keith

The COVID 19 Pandemic Allows Time For Al Ernst To Get Great Images From His Home

Al Ernst took this image of M63 from his home in suburban Bridgewater, NJ. It's composed of a total of three hours accumulation of photos using Blue, Green and Ha filters with a C-14 and QSI 583 camera. It's amazing that filtered imaging can do in heavily light polluted areas.
Thanks Al
Keith

Luna 1 & Luna 2 Current Status

Luna 1 & Luna 2 are operational at this time.

The Covid-19 Pandemic has hurt many people, including astronomers. However, the one thing amateur astronomers are very good at, is being outside ~ alone, in the dark. Then later, often working many hours inside (again, often in the dark) during post processing of any images he takes. With the weather now getting warmer, it is always an ideal time for learning to use a new scope, mount, camera or just looking up for Milky Way objects that you may have not seen in a while. This is the time to explore within our galaxy! There is always so much to see, so still dress warm until the temperature gets high enough for comfort ~ the summer will get here soon and being outside in the fresh cool air can be exhilarating. Then if you haven't already, try taking some pictures of what you see or just look for that new sight that you may not have seen before. For instance, closer to home, conjunctions or the nearness of planets and the Moon to each other as we see them is one of the rarer events that occurs only once in a while and sometimes it will only be witnessed once in a person's lifetime. This is the "Milky Way Season".... enjoy it!!!

Also Luna 1 and Luna 2 are calling for you!

Now that our park has reopened, although slowly to the public, members can always use the on site observatories. Please remember to keep personal distancing a priority and wear a mask unless otherwise specified.

As a strange by-product, the sky seems cleaner and clearer as the volume of New Jersey highways still are experiencing less vehicles than before the pandemic. Even though the bazillion forest fires in California and around the world have definitely added to the high altitude haze. Still, cool, clear nights mean great observing and are more inviting for our member astro-imagers. Especially for those of us that use narrow band filters to cut through any remaining ambient light pollution. As temperatures rise the various air temperature cells between you and the objects in space will seem to be a little less-steady... stars still twinkle ~ an indicator that the sky is unsteady. New Jersey is not known for it's great seeing, but video cameras will help get the best planetary pictures possible after stacking from thousands of short exposure images. Also, try something new like imaging just before dark ~ the reduced contrast makes some interesting planetary pictures. Venus' crescent shapes often stand out better in the low contrast sky.

As the weather gets warmer, be sure to drink a lot of water ~ and of course still wear layers to be comfortable.

The 5" Tak telescope in Luna 1 is now totally automated, with the roll-off roof now motorized. Special training for our members is ongoing and producing great results.

The Celestron Edge 14" telescope in Luna 2 is working well and is a pleasure to use. If you aren't trained for it yet just ask. We'll be happy to teach you.

The Celestron 11" telescope in the Schirra Observatory may be getting a new purpose ~ time will tell.

We want all members to be able to use our other available equipment too, including the roll-out Celestron 8" Edge and C9.25" scopes in back ~ which are also great for imaging planets and the moon as well as the various types of things within the galaxy.. The novice as well as experienced amateur's can use the numerous Dobsonians (up to 12") and are handy for quick observing.

Also, this is excellent time to use the Solar Ha scopes during the day. The surface sunspots seem to to increasing considerably as the sun is now heading toward the cycle's maximum. Occasional larges sunspots and prominences prominences are very impressive in this wavelength. We now have three great Ha specific scopes as well as various white-light filtered scopes.

Finally, remember that the club has a number of excellent loaner scopes (including a go-to) that you can take home for a period of time to learn and practice on.

Take pictures and share your images with the NJAA Astro-Photography blog. Contact Keith at KRMarley_1999@yahoo.com

Also, the large NJAA Library has a number of excellent astro-imaging books for loan, free to members in good standing (a cc will now be required to take a book home).

A link will soon be on the NJAA website home page or ask a QO on duty for help (check the website calendar for public/duty days www.njaa.org) or contact Keith at KRMarley_1999@yahoo.com for library questions.

NJAA Astro Photography Group Mission

The "Astro-Photography” committee has merged with the Research Group, forming one Research & Photography Committee. It shall also be responsible for the administration and coordination of the Astro-Photography program at NJAA.

Through educational events, public outreach and publication, the committee will continue to serve as a technical resource for emerging and advanced Astro-Photographers.

The Astro-photography/Research meetings (currently and until further notice, all member meetings will be conducted on ZOOM. Member requests to be included ARE AVAILABLE ON THE ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY PAGE ON THE NJAA WEBSITE) are held at the observatory on the first Friday of the month at 8:00pm. All members are welcome to attend. Confirm the dates on the club's website calendar (www.njaa.org).

"You can observe a lot just by watching..." Yogi Berra