An April SolarQuest — Photobomb Included

April 18, 2025Photonstopper

The Sun, as it appeared on April 17, 2025, in hydrogen-alpha light. The image was recorded using a Coronado solar telescope, a Sky-Watcher SolarQuest mount, and a ZWO ASI 678MM camera. Photo by James Guilford.

Taking advantage of midday clear skies, Thursday, we set up the hydrogen-alpha telescope and did a little observing and imaging. Seeing conditions were only good but we could make out several prominences along Sun’s limb. (The proms did not record well and we need to figure out how to enhance their visibility in our images.) Most notable, however, was the shear number of filaments in Sun’s northern hemisphere. None visible in the south! Fragments of exploding filaments launched from Sun and produced two CMEs that, when they reached Earth on April 16, caused strong geomagnetic storm activity and widespread auroras. The storm, however, died out before northern lights could be seen here.

*The Sky-Watcher SolarQuest mount is shown here aiming our Coronado 60mm hydrogen-alpha solar telescope at Sun.*

Aiding in our efforts was a device we used for the very first time in this session: The Sky-Watcher SolarQuest with its HelioFind system. The device is lightweight, easily supported our rather robust Coronado solar telescope, and was exceptionally easy to learn and operate. Essentially, all that was needed was to set the tripod up so that it was level, turn the device on, and let it do its thing! It is powered by four AA batteries, placed inside the unit. As an alt-az mount, no counterweights or muliti-axis balancing was needed; just mount the scope with its balance point at the center of the dovetail clamp. No remote control, no app, the compact and self-contained SolarQuest established GPS contact, leveled the scope, then looked for Sun. The SolarQuest turned and elevated the telescope, quickly acquiring our nearest star. When the motion stopped, we looked through the eyepiece to discover Sun well within the field of view. A few nudges of the system’s adjustment buttons and Sun was centered. Tracking was excellent throughout the observing/imaging session. Provision is made for further refinement of tracking but that adjustment was unnecessary for the day’s activity. The SolarQuest will make our daytime astronomy a whole lot more convenient and enjoyable!

*A business-class jet airplane trailing twin contrails is seen in silhouette against the roiling surface of the sun. The image is recorded in hydrogen-alpha light. Photo by James Guilford.*

We had just finished setting up for some solar astronomy and tapped the button to begin a video sequence when something flashed across the computer screen. A jet appeared for less than a second, contrails briefly persisting, silhouetted against the roiling solar disk! We’ve only seen this twice while observing Sun, this being the second time, and we only captured this image by shear luck. The first time we witnessed a solar “photo-bombing” was under similar circumstances. Previously, we had completed setup, was refining focus, and just about to begin recording exposures. We missed imaging that encounter by about the same interval as we succeeded this time!

Delays and “liberation”

April 1, 2025Photonstopper

The latest from the manufacturer of our observatory structure: “The [shipping] broker advised me to wait until the 2nd of April USA time to see what extra paperwork there might be under Trump’s tariffs.” It appears to us that our tariff-loving President’s “Liberation Day” will mean more money “liberated” from our bank account.

And so, another delay in shipping, for yet another reason — they recently had to remake the shipping crate due to wood content — costing more money in the end. If the manufacturer had shipped earlier, and from our viewpoint, it appears they could have, this latest mess and expense would have been avoided — it’s not like it was a secret widespread tariffs were coming!

We can only hope all will be resolved and shipping will actually begin early this month. Will we be able to build the thing this summer, a year-plus from our original expectation?

The experience has, thus far, been frustrating, and disheartening. We have little faith the path ahead will be smoother.

Note: We know of no U.S. manufacturer of small observatories made of fiberglass or non-metal materials. These unique products are imported and subject to shipping charges and import costs such as tariffs.

Another week, another delay…

March 17, 2025Photonstopper

Just when we thought the manufacturer of our observatory was actually about to ship, they report new problems causing yet another delay. This time it has something to do with a tropical cyclone hitting their port, and port officials later demanding certification that the wood pieces of the crate are safe (presumably from insect infestation) for international shipping. Now a replacement crate is being built from plastic and metal parts. This, by the way, was previously promised over the Christmas/New Year’s holiday. Still hoping we can maybe get the thing here and built sometime this summer. Another week, another delay, another sad disappointment.

Watching the best of the lunar eclipse

March 14, 2025Photonstopper 1 Comment

The total lunar eclipse of March 13 – 14, 2025 did not disappoint! We resolved to capture images from the late partial eclipse to maximum eclipse, mostly to be able to fit in a little sleep! Catching it all, which we could from our North America location, would have required, essentially, an all-night session. Just a bit too much!

*Early partial eclipse. The brighter shadow within the penumbra lights the top portion of this image. Note a bit of reddish tone within the dark umbra. 2:08 AM EDT*

I sat on a pad over the paved surface where in the cold, where the observatory is to eventually stand. The old telescope mount ticking away as it tracked the moon across the sky. Occasionally geese and ducks on the nearby pond called out against some unseen disturbance. The stars of Great Orion were sinking behind nearby trees.

*Moon is deep within the umbra and last penumbra light about to be left behind. 2:19 AM EDT*

In the otherwise quiet chill, I watched the lunar transition, from a bright sliver left over from the night’s Full Moon, to glowing copper orb. With a cable release I manually triggered the camera’s shutter: click — pause — click, to record the event.

*Maximum eclipse. Moon is fully within the umbra but because it is not traveling through the center of Earth’s deepest shadow, scattered light from the penumbra brightens the upper limb. 2:58 AM EDT*

Shortly after maximum eclipse (shown above), at 2:58 AM EDT, I shut down the telescope and, casting a wistful eye at the still-darkened Moon, went indoors.   I fed the waiting cat, changed back to pajamas, and returned to bed. In fitful sleep, somehow still cold, happy to have sacrificed rest for the experienced phenomenon.

Tech: Askar 103 ED telescope, Canon EOS 5D Mk 4 camera, Meade Goto Mount, Photoshop. ISO 400, variable exposure times.

A total lunar eclipse, not in “prime time”

March 13, 2025March 13, 2025Photonstopper

The coppery totality of the November 8, 2022 total lunar eclipse. The disk is darkest around the lower left, and lightest in the upper right-hand areas. Photo by James Guilford. — *The total lunar eclipse of November 8, 2022, as viewed from Medina County. Photo by James Guilford.*

In the wee hours of Friday, March 14, the Full Moon will pass through Earth’s shadow in space resulting in the coppery-red colors of a total lunar eclipse. While skies are expected to be clear for the event and temperatures tolerable, the show won’t be in “prime time” — maximum eclipse and color will be on display at about 2:58 AM (EDT) Friday. This will be the only total lunar eclipse of 2025.

While the timing of this year’s eclipse may be brutal, it also means the entirety of the process will be visible. By 12:55 AM (an hour after midnight, to be clear) Moon will have a strangely soft, faded appearance, then lit by the diffuse light of Earth’s outer shadow or penumbra.

The partial eclipse begins at 1:09 AM and by 1:47 AM, half of the lunar disk will be dark, hidden in Earth’s deep inner shadow called the umbra. Darkness will progress across Moon and as the last light fades from the lunar surface, color will begin to appear with the onset of totality.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when Moon passes through the central portion of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra, where all direct light from Sun is blocked and Moon is illuminated only by scattered light passing through Earth’s atmosphere.

At 2:26 AM, with Moon totally inside the umbra, the spooky beauty will be on full display. Earth’s inner shadow is full of colored light — sunlight scattered through the planet’s atmosphere bearing the scattered colors of the globe’s sunrises and sunsets — the source of a total lunar eclipse’s hues.

Maximum eclipse is reached at 2:58 – 2:59 AM and Moon will be as dark and colorful as it can be during the process. The eclipse sequence begins to reverse after the maximum as Moon continues its passage through Earth’s shadow. Observers will note the darker and lighter portions of Moon’s face subtly rotating as the event unfolds because Moon is not passing directly through the center of the umbra — the upper portion of the disk will be near the edge of the shadow area, the lower portion closest to the center and darkest region.

The timing and appearance of the March 14, 2025 total lunar eclipse is illustrated here. Note the penumbra and umbra shadow areas and the rotating shadow distribution on the lunar surface. Movement is right to left. Illustration Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

By 6:00 AM Moon will have returned to its Full illumination as if nothing had happened. Those who potentially lost sleep watching, however, will perhaps yawn but be will gratified to have seen one of the most impressive and beautiful astronomical events available to us.

An encounter with the occult(ation)

January 14, 2025Photonstopper

Only a few minutes from occultation, Mars is seen just off the lower edge of the lunar limb in this full-disk image recorded at 9:09 PM EST. The event only occurs with planet Mars about once every 14 years. Photo by James Guilford.

Clouds held off — pretty much — for us to observe the Moon occult* Mars, the reddish dot in the photo above. About once every 14 years or so, everything lines up just right and planet Mars is hidden by Earth’s Moon. Though Mars is about twice as big in diameter as our Moon, it was nearly 60 million miles farther away from Earth during the encounter — to the unaided eye, Mars looked like a tiny bright red star next to the Full Moon.

As predicted by mathematics, Mars and Moon grew nearer and nearer each other until, at 9:12 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), the Red Planet disappeared behind our brilliant orb.

*Mars, the small reddish dot in this image, nearing occultation by Earth’s Moon, as seen at 9:07 PM EST, January 13, 2025. Photo by James Guilford.*

Passing clouds threatened to obscure the event but thanks to gaps between those clouds, there was enough clearing for observation. Shortly after Mars vanished, so did those inter-cloud gaps. With Moon now cloud-covered, we did not return to the 13℉ night to watch for Mars to emerge.

Technical: Canon 6D Mk. 2 Camera, Canon 400mm EF 1:5.6 L Lens, Canon 2X telextender, ISO 400, f/11, 1/250 second, photographic tripod.

*Occult: To cut off from view by interposing something. Commonly used as a noun to indicate something supernatural that is hidden from ordinary access.

Two Moons, One Day

January 10, 2025Photonstopper

Waxing Gibbous Moon, January 10, 2025, at 7:18 PM EST. Note the delicate “C” shape on the upper left-hand edge of the lunar image — rising sun lighting the mountain tops that line Sinus Iridium while lower terrain remains in darkness. Crater Copernicus stands out at center-left, and Crater Tycho stands proudly in the heavily-bombarded lower area of the image. Note the extensive spread of ejecta rays that radiate across Moon’s surface from the relatively recent formation of Tycho. Photo by James Guilford.

It was a clear night so, of course, I had to go outside and take a look. Cold too, at 13℉, so I didn’t stay long! Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were easy to find, all three shining bright. I was out for a “Moon shot”, though, got a pretty good one. This was made using our Sun shot setup, minus solar filter, of course! Moon was beginning its occultation of the Pleiades which didn’t image well.

The day was clear, as well, and Moon was clear and bright even against the blue daytime sky. So, here is our neighboring world rising through the trees. This is presented second, instead of at the top, because we prefer the nighttime image.

*Waxing Gibbous Moon. January 9, 2025, at 4:08 PM EST. Photo by James Guilford.*

Dome mounted to walls

November 12, 2024Photonstopper

*The dome has been mated to the curved base walls of the observatory, on the factory floor. Photo courtesy Sirius Observatories.*

Another update from its maker informs us our observatory has reached another milestone with the dome now mated to the curved base walls. While construction is not yet finished, we’re told arrangements are being made for shipping. We’re trying to not get too excited — by the time the observatory arrives here, winter will have arrived and we’ll probably have to store our precious purchase until spring!

At last, an update!

November 10, 2024November 10, 2024Photonstopper

*Our observatory dome at the manufacturer’s shop. It will be cleaned and waxed prior to shipping. November 10, 2024*

After a worrisome extended period without updates, we at last heard from the maker of our observatory; the dome is nearly complete! As we understand it, the dome will be lifted on to the round wall base for fitting and quality control testing — including installation and operation of its electrical rotation system. Once assured everything fits and works properly, the observatory will be disassembled and crated for shipping. No shipping date has been provided as yet but we’re happy to hear progress has been made.

Our best Sun images yet

November 10, 2024Photonstopper

The complete solar disk as recorded in hydrogen-alpha light. The “worm-shaped” shadows seen in several areas are filaments. The dark spots are, yes, sunspots. And around the rim or limb of the solar disk are seen prominences — geysers of solar plasma riding magnetic field lines before crashing back into the sun. False color applied.

In addition to photographing Earth’s Sun in white light nearly every clear day, we occasionally set up the heavy telescope mount and bring out the new hydrogen-alpha (Ha) telescope for a bit of visual observing and unique imaging. It’s a bit of work since, without an observatory building we usually feel we need to take down and store away the mount after each session, so we don’t do that every day.

On November 8 we had clear skies, good atmospheric conditions, and the inclination to do the Ha setup and were rewarded with splendid views plus our best Sun images yet.

Using a Barlow lens to zoom for a closer view, we see large and small prominences and hints of spicules along Sun’s limb, and several large filaments. The dark spots in the upper left-hand corner of this picture is a group of sunspots at active region 3889.

Across the solar disk were visible large and distinct filaments — prominence loops seen from “above” — as well as sunspots and swirling patterns in the solar atmosphere around them. All around the Sun’s limb could be seen prominences glowing against a background of black space. Some of the prominences, which are fountain-like sprays and loops of magnetically-charged plasma, were quite large.

A major part of producing good images is what happens away from the telescope. Our usual practice is to record video of the telescope view and use software, in the office, to sort through thousands of video image frames, then stack the best few hundred to form a single still image. The still image is then edited to bring out as much detail and tonal range as possible. This process, which is common in astrophotography, produces a sharper image than what might be acquired via any single photographic “snapshot” owing largely to atmospheric turbulence.

Using a Barlow lens to zoom for a closer view, we see large and small prominences and spicules along Sun’s limb. The dark spot just above the center of this picture is a large sunspot at active region 3879.

There’s room for improvement, and we’re seeing excellent progress, but the images shown here are our best yet of Sun in hydrogen-alpha light.

Note: H-a light is that which Sun is producing in its chromosphere — the solar atmospheric layer between the outer corona and the lower photosphere — and is invisible even to protected human vision and white light cameras. Specialized optics are required to block other wavelengths found in white light and allow observation of Ha. When we observe or image in white light, we’re actually viewing features such as sunspots while looking through both the corona and the chromosphere!

Safety Note: It is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing, and safe solar filters for telescope, binocular, or camera use. Permanent damage to vision can result from improper viewing of the sun.

Stella-Luna Observatory

A Private Observatory in Medina, Ohio, USA

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