Introduction:
After a life long general interest in the universe, astronomy and history and science in general I recently decided to go through with something I have been thinking about for a long time and finally bought a telescope.
After some research I ended up going with the "Skywatcher Explorer-130M 130mm (5.1") f/900 Motorised Newtonian Reflector Telescope" which apparently is pretty good for beginners.
I do not take that many (astro) photographs but I do want to share some on this page.
After a life long general interest in the universe, astronomy and history and science in general I recently decided to go through with something I have been thinking about for a long time and finally bought a telescope.
After some research I ended up going with the "Skywatcher Explorer-130M 130mm (5.1") f/900 Motorised Newtonian Reflector Telescope" which apparently is pretty good for beginners.
I do not take that many (astro) photographs but I do want to share some on this page.
Skywatcher Explorer-130M:
As my main telescope I use a "Skywatcher Explorer-130M 130mm (5.1") f/900 Motorised Newtonian Reflector Telescope" which comes on a EQ2 Motorised equatorial mount. It is a "Newtonian Reflector" telescope with a 13cm main mirror and a focal length of 900mm.
Lenses (1.25" (31.7mm)):
10mm
25mm
2x Barlow lens
As my main telescope I use a "Skywatcher Explorer-130M 130mm (5.1") f/900 Motorised Newtonian Reflector Telescope" which comes on a EQ2 Motorised equatorial mount. It is a "Newtonian Reflector" telescope with a 13cm main mirror and a focal length of 900mm.
Lenses (1.25" (31.7mm)):
10mm
25mm
2x Barlow lens
Bresser - Lord Nelson 25X30
As a portable mini hand telescope I use a Lord Nelson from Bresser with a 25X magnification and 30mm primary lens (25x30).
It is very hard to hold stable, but it is very small and easy to take with me any time anywhere.
As a portable mini hand telescope I use a Lord Nelson from Bresser with a 25X magnification and 30mm primary lens (25x30).
It is very hard to hold stable, but it is very small and easy to take with me any time anywhere.
Planisphere
For my planisphere I use the Rob Walrecht - Planisphere for the Netherlands and Belgium.
In astronomy, a planisphere is a star chart analog computing instrument in the form of two adjustable disks that rotate on a common pivot. It can be adjusted to display the visible stars for any time and date. It is an instrument to assist in learning how to recognize stars and constellations.
For my planisphere I use the Rob Walrecht - Planisphere for the Netherlands and Belgium.
In astronomy, a planisphere is a star chart analog computing instrument in the form of two adjustable disks that rotate on a common pivot. It can be adjusted to display the visible stars for any time and date. It is an instrument to assist in learning how to recognize stars and constellations.
Other
This book shows an overview of all astronomy events first per day and in the second part per type of event.
I use this WindFire Red Light Torch as my main flashlight. It is a little on the bright side but the red light should help to keep my eyes adjusted to the dark.
This book shows an overview of all astronomy events first per day and in the second part per type of event.
I use this WindFire Red Light Torch as my main flashlight. It is a little on the bright side but the red light should help to keep my eyes adjusted to the dark.
2020-05-06 - The Moon:
My first viewing of the Moon through my new telescope on the evening of May the 6th.
Awkwardly tried to take some foto's through the lens (while being very carfully not to damage them).
But either way it was a very impressive sight (pictures don't do full justice to the beauty), one that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime imho.
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My first viewing of the Moon through my new telescope on the evening of May the 6th.
Awkwardly tried to take some foto's through the lens (while being very carfully not to damage them).
But either way it was a very impressive sight (pictures don't do full justice to the beauty), one that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime imho.
Expand to show 12 more photos...
2020-05-07 - The (Super)Moon:
Happy that I had a practice session yesterday as this time it was a little more cloudy.
I could however not let the change to watch the last super Moon of the year go by.
And the view was still stunning imho.
Supermoon:
"A supermoon is a full moon or a new moon that nearly coincides with perigee the closest that the Moon comes to the Earth in its elliptic orbit resulting in a slightly larger than usual apparent size of the lunar disk as viewed from Earth. The technical name is a perigee syzygy (of the Earth-Moon-Sun system) or a full (or new) Moon around perigee. The term supermoon is astrological in origin and has no precise astronomical definition.
The real association of the Moon with both oceanic and crustal tides has led to claims that the supermoon phenomenon may be associated with increased risk of events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, but no such link has been found.
The opposite phenomenon, an apogee syzygy or a full (or new) Moon around apogee, has been called a micromoon."
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Happy that I had a practice session yesterday as this time it was a little more cloudy.
I could however not let the change to watch the last super Moon of the year go by.
And the view was still stunning imho.
Supermoon:
"A supermoon is a full moon or a new moon that nearly coincides with perigee the closest that the Moon comes to the Earth in its elliptic orbit resulting in a slightly larger than usual apparent size of the lunar disk as viewed from Earth. The technical name is a perigee syzygy (of the Earth-Moon-Sun system) or a full (or new) Moon around perigee. The term supermoon is astrological in origin and has no precise astronomical definition.
The real association of the Moon with both oceanic and crustal tides has led to claims that the supermoon phenomenon may be associated with increased risk of events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, but no such link has been found.
The opposite phenomenon, an apogee syzygy or a full (or new) Moon around apogee, has been called a micromoon."
Expand to show 4 more photos...
2020-05-09 - The Moon rise:
The Moon again.
With my current skill and equipment the Moon is the only target I can really capture. This will however (hopefully) change in the future.
I am however not complaining yet as the view is still stunning. This time I went to a better location and started taking photos from the moment the Moon first showed itself. I also got some more close-up shots and used my phone instead of the camera for a lot of the pictures.
Not being a full Moon anymore means shadows starting to fall in some of the craters, allowing them to show some more relief.
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The Moon again.
With my current skill and equipment the Moon is the only target I can really capture. This will however (hopefully) change in the future.
I am however not complaining yet as the view is still stunning. This time I went to a better location and started taking photos from the moment the Moon first showed itself. I also got some more close-up shots and used my phone instead of the camera for a lot of the pictures.
Not being a full Moon anymore means shadows starting to fall in some of the craters, allowing them to show some more relief.
Expand to show 22 more photos...
2020-05-23 - The Big Dipper (Grote Beer):
This time I mainly went out to pratice polar aliangment with the telescope. Ended up also experimenting with different settings on the camera.
I tried to take some pictures of the Big Dipper (or the Plough depending where you are from), overhere it is best know as part of the Grote Beer (Big Bear).
Sadly it seems like the camera is just not good enough to get any proper night sky pictures. I will be looking into getting a better foto camera in the future.
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This time I mainly went out to pratice polar aliangment with the telescope. Ended up also experimenting with different settings on the camera.
I tried to take some pictures of the Big Dipper (or the Plough depending where you are from), overhere it is best know as part of the Grote Beer (Big Bear).
Sadly it seems like the camera is just not good enough to get any proper night sky pictures. I will be looking into getting a better foto camera in the future.
Expand to show 7 more photos...
2020-05-26 - The Moon (Camera test):
Borrowed a camera (Fujifilm Finepix S1500) and made some test pictures of the moon (only using the camera, so not through the telescope this time).
The results are a lot more promising compared with the PowerShot. Hopefully I can give the Finepix a propper testing session soon.
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Expand to show 3 more photos....JPG "Click for higher resolution version")
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Borrowed a camera (Fujifilm Finepix S1500) and made some test pictures of the moon (only using the camera, so not through the telescope this time).
The results are a lot more promising compared with the PowerShot. Hopefully I can give the Finepix a propper testing session soon.
Expand to show 3 more photos...
2022-03-18 - The Moon:
It has been a while so I decided to shoot some pictures of the moon again. Used a mount for my phone (as camera) this time.
Expand to show 25 more photos...
It has been a while so I decided to shoot some pictures of the moon again. Used a mount for my phone (as camera) this time.
Expand to show 25 more photos...
