Any Stargazers Here?

[Blatman]

@fatblokestu Presumably that's Jupiter on the right with three of it's moons visible? Nice shot

[Stuart Davis AO - Devon Cornwall & Somerset]

26 minutes ago, Blatman said:

@fatblokestu Presumably that's Jupiter on the right with three of it's moons visible? Nice shot

Yep, that’s right. There are actually four but the top one is a bit dimmer, better here.

 

[Blatman]

Yup, that's a great shot  

[Stuart Davis AO - Devon Cornwall & Somerset]

Looking fab again tonight, lovely clear skies here at the moment. Will have a gander at the Moon later if it stays clear.

 

 

[Blatman]

Yep, that's properly spectacular. Love it  

[Stuart Davis AO - Devon Cornwall & Somerset]

Been having some excellent views of the Sun, Moon and Venus recently. I caught a swift passing in front of the Sun which was quite cool. Took a video of the crescent Moon last night, don’t turn the sound up or you will hear my comedy Darth Vader impression, thought I was breathing very quietly too! 🤣

 

 

 

 

Swift passing in front of the Sun. The dark splodges are sunspots. Don’t try this at home without a specialist scope!

 

Crescent Moon

 

 

Venus at about half phase, it will slowly turn into a crescent as it comes round its orbit and closes with the Sun in the sky.

[Blatman]

Superb.

Does "specialist equipment = welders goggles?

[Stuart Davis AO - Devon Cornwall & Somerset]

1 hour ago, Blatman said:

Superb.

Does "specialist equipment = welders goggles?

Thanks 😊 

 

Without being melodramatic…. NO! 😱 No point risking your eyes with something not certified for the job.

 

Entry point would be some solar eclipse glasses. Sometimes spots are big enough to be seen with those, potentially the one shown in my image might be one.

 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/baader-solar-eclipse-observing-glasses.html

 

If you have binoculars or a telescope and some Blue Peter skills (pretty much guaranteed on this forum as a minimum I should think! 🤣), then buy some of this solar film and follow the instructions to make a cardboard holder for it. Make sure it is secure and can’t fall off or blow off, and make sure you cover every optical opening ie both binocular front lenses (objectives) and cover any finder scopes etc.

 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/baader-astrosolar-safety-film-nd-50.html

 

Looking through an unprotected scope or binoculars at the Sun will blind you instantly so it’s not to be taken lightly, though perfectly safe if done methodically and carefully. Always make sure children are supervised, and never leave a scope unattended out in the Sun. Fires have been started through stray sunlight reflecting off curved optics and being focused onto something flammable! Remember the Walkie Talkie building melting cars? 🤪

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/walkie-talkie-skyscraper-to-be-fitted-with-permanent-sunshade-after-it-melted-cars-9379037.html

Now is a good time because the Sun is in a more active phase, approaching solar maximum in a few years which is why you may have seen reports of Aurorae being visible in the UK. Hopefully that will happen more before it starts to decline again as I missed it this time.

 

Do ask if anyone needs any more info, I’ve been doing solar observing for years so can help or advise, or even show you through a scope if you happen to be in Crewkerne on a sunny weekend 😊☀️🌞🕶️

[pistonbroke]

I have a cheap & chearful Bresser "scope " been looking at the crescent moon for the last few nights and surprised at the detail it shows . 

 

 

[Stuart Davis AO - Devon Cornwall & Somerset]

2 hours ago, pistonbroke said:

I have a cheap & chearful Bresser "scope " been looking at the crescent moon for the last few nights and surprised at the detail it shows . 

 

 

Yep, the Moon looks great through most scopes. Am out again tonight, it’s looking great 👍

 

[heawooi]

Couple of (moon)shots from tonight on my phone attached to the scope, I was experimenting with the fv-5 camera app, great clear sky🙂

[Blatman]

Nice  

[Blatman]

On 24/05/2023 at 21:37, fatblokestu said:

Without being melodramatic…. NO! 😱 No point risking your eyes with something not certified for the job.

I was being facetious... sorry  

[Stuart Davis AO - Devon Cornwall & Somerset]

4 hours ago, Blatman said:

I was being facetious... sorry  

🤣🤣 No problem. You would be amazed at what people do attempt and sadly some do lose their sight as a result, hence my response.

[Stuart Davis AO - Devon Cornwall & Somerset]

Took some close up views last night. Much better visually as always but these were just with the phone through the scope.