Welcome to Matt's Astronomy Website. All photos and reports in this website are taken from the Bridgwater area (Somerset, UK) using the equipment as specified in the equipment section.
Jupiter 2008
Finally I got round to snapping a picture of Jupiter this year. Taken with webcam and Skywatcher 120mm telescope (taken near Slapton, Devon)
Solar Eclipse 01 Aug 2008
A picture of the partial solar eclipse at 10:15pm on 08th August. The moon can be seen taking a 'bite' out of the moon which covered around 20% of the moon at maximum as viewed from Bridgwater.
Earthshine in May
Click image to enlarge
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Click image to enlarge
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A clear and warm spring evening showed off a wonderful crescent moon on the 7th May. The above left picture showing the crescent moon and the above right picture is an over exposed image (3.2 seconds) taken right afterwards to illustrate 'Earthshine'. During a crescent moon, the Earth is in such a position that sunlight is reflected off of the Earth surface on to the dark side of the moon making it visible. The bright crescent phase is normal, direct sunlight being reflected off the moon. This effect is easily seen with the naked eye although the features of the dark side of the moon are rarely seen in as much detail as in an over exposed photo.
International Space Station - 3rd Attempt
My third attempt at capturing the International Space Station was once again successful. Out of a 2 minute movie containing over 2000 frames only a mere 2 frames had captured the station in full. Unfortunately 2 solar arrays were not reflecting any sunlight however Shuttle Atlantis is docked there somewhere but can't pick it out in either photo.
Overhead shot
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Eastern sky shot (setting)
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International Space Station - 2nd attempt
** Being published in Astronomy Now Magazine - February Edition **
My shot from Bridgwater
ISS - 12 December 2007 |
NASA shot from space
Latest NASA photo of the ISS |
My second attempt at capturing the International Space Station via webcam has been very successful. The above left photo was created from a movie taken with webcam attached to dobsonian telescope. The space station passed directly over the Southern UK which made it pass in a dead straight line from West to East right overhead. This made it easier than last time for me to keep it in view as I only had to move the telescope in one axis to keep up with it. I am delighted with the results. Above right picture is a current photo from NASA as a comparison
