Another fine lunar capture DJ

Love it.

Thanks everyone for your comments


Thanks MD. The moon tonight is 95% full (waning) and looks like it may be a clear night. Why don't you get out your 500mm mirror lens and get a few shots as there will be more detail on the surface to capture and the air seems steady tonight as well:-0

I might get out my 6" MAK and fire off a few frames later if the sky remains cloudless.

Absolutely stunning!

Thanks for the comments everyone

Thanks Linda Are we going to see some pics of Loki? not seen him for a while, hope he is keeping well.

Hi DJ

I was just wondering, ( and as this is your lunar thread, it is kinda related to my question, ) I take it you've heard about the Galloway Forest Park being officially recognized as a Dark Sky area. If so, are you tempted to head down there if you get the chance?

In saying that, just about anywhere outside the central belt will give you amazingly clear views of the stars I suppose.

I'm tempted myself, just to see what all the fuss is about.

MD

Fab Moon! excellent shot again.

Thanks Eileen


I think there is a star party or meeting for astro imagers going on there this week at a caravan and camping site. Just checked, it was from the 11th to the 15th and all the pitches were taken up quite quickly, as there was 20 caravans and 20 tents with electric hook up and the same ammount without the electric hookup.

I'd love to go down there but perhaps not just for one night unless I knew for certain the sky would remain clear and calm all night.

Funny you should mention Galloway forest park as there was a clip about it on news at ten, as being one of the darkest sites in the world for astronomy.

I've been busy for the past few days servicing and tweaking my mount to get the best I can from it, which included re-greasing the gears and adjusting slop in the RA (right ascension) and DEC (declination) axis. When I say "slop" I mean movement probablly less than a millimeter. I'm glad to say there is no slop at all now and that it is smooth as silk and purring like a cat

Have you ever considered getting a tracking mount and tripod for astro imaging? they can be very expensive but you can get cheaper mounts for smaller scopes which are lighter as well but still not really portable. There is a device on the market (astrotrac) which is very portable and unbelievably tracks more accuratley than mounts that cost much more and weigh a ton, i'e a 200mm lens will get you 5 minute exposure with a simple polar alignment.
You do need two photographic tripod heads and a strurdy tripod though and it will set you back around £800 for everything or around 500 for the astrotrac itself

You could also make your own barn door tracker

It is something I've thought long and hard about for year or so now. I've had a few amateur telescopes over the years, and have got rid of them over time for one reason or another.
Since I started taking my photography hobby a bit more seriously though, I've often wished I could combine my love of the night sky with my passion for pictures.
It's something I'm still considering, yes.

Although the barn door tracker looks far too complimacated for me , lol

I want your kit !!!!! I feel like deleting my moon shots off my hard drive, they look pants to me now that I`ve seen your`s