Lonewolf Online

Sunspot AR953

Saturday 28th April 2007  

A new sunspot has developed on the surface of the Sun. Designated AR953, this sunspot is approximately three times the size of our little planet. This sunspot is teeming with activity and observers with solar telescopes have witnessed “Ellerman Bombs” going off on the surface. These bombs are explosions about one-millionth as powerful as a true solar flare and appear as white specs around the visible sunspot.

Sunspot AR953 is growing ever more complex and now harbors energy for X-class solar flares. X-class flares are the largest in the solar flare categorisation. These flares are major events that can trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms, but don’t worry - they pose no threat to us here on Earth!

 

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This post is filed under Solar Observations by Lonewolf at 5:30pm

The Sun in 3D

Monday 23rd April 2007  

NASA’s Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) satellites have provided the first three-dimensional images of the sun. For the first time, scientists will be able to see structures in the sun’s atmosphere in three dimensions. The new view will greatly aid scientists’ ability to understand solar physics and there by improve space weather forecasting.

The STEREO spacecraft were launched October 25, 2006. On January 21 they completed a series of complex maneuvers, including flying by the moon, to position the spacecraft in their mission orbits. The two observatories are now orbiting the sun, one slightly ahead of Earth and one slightly behind, separating from each other by approximately 45 degrees per year. Just as the slight offset between a person’s eyes provides depth perception, the separation of spacecraft allow 3-D images of the sun.

STEREO’s first 3-D images are being provided by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and can be viewed on the NASA website. You will need some 3d glasses to get the best experience. The glasses need to be Red on the left, blue on the right in case you wish to make your own.

This image is a smaller version of one of the images that can be found on the NASA website.

 

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This post is filed under Astronomy, Astrophotography, NASA by Lonewolf at 5:25pm

Venus and Moon Conjunction

Saturday 21st April 2007  

The bright planet Venus is at a prime position in the sky for some early evening viewing, and last night it was close to the thin crescent of the Moon.

 

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This post is filed under Astrophotography by Lonewolf at 9:36pm

Experimental Astrophotography

Saturday 21st April 2007  

I did a little experiment the other night with a new imaging setup. Since I was involved in a car accident last year it has been difficult for me to take my telescope out and setup as I can only hold around 3kg in my left hand. I have been looking at alternatives, one of which was to use the finderscope afocally with a compact digital camera.

I am using the same bracket as I used with my Fuji S602 a last year, before the accident, but this time looking through the finder. Results were not that good to be honest, there is a lot of chromatic abberation, but I think this may be down to the camera. There is no manual exposure and no manual focus which are two things that are needed for this type of photography. I may try again with a better camera.

 

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This post is filed under Astrophotography by Lonewolf at 10:15am

Action on Light Pollution!

Tuesday 27th March 2007  

Please consider signing this petition to the Prime Minister, calling for action to be taken against Light Pollution.

“For those who live in our towns and cities, the night sky is filled with a dull orange glow punctuated only by the dim glimmer of an occasional bright star or planet. Fitting well designed shades on all exterior lights would stop light leaking wastefully upwards, restoring the glorious beauty of a star strewn sky overhead. Bring back the milky way!”

“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ensure that all exterior lights are shaded to direct their light downwards, so as to prevent light pollution obscuring the beauty of the night sky.”

Petition the Prime Minister on Light Pollution

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This post is filed under Light Pollution by Lonewolf at 9:00am

Light pollution ‘masking stars’

Monday 12th March 2007  

A growing number of people are unable to see the night sky because of glare from poorly-designed outdoor lights in built up areas, a survey suggests.

Click for the full story on BBC

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This post is filed under Astrophotography, Light Pollution by Lonewolf at 8:01pm