ISS and Space-related discussion

[Sasquatch]

I've got some huge Argos cheapy Celestron binoculars but struggle to hold them steady so most objects zig zag in and out of view.
Mars loses it's redness if I can hold it in view long enough but the edges of the moon and the fact you can see the crater sides in 3D and get an idea of their height is pretty fantastic.
I think this year we'll try and get to a "dark skies" campsite as I'd love to definitively know I've seen the Milky Way.

I have what is probably the same set, but I use them on a tripod.

I also have some lovely old Carl Zeiss 10x50's that are much better for handheld obs.

I'm not into it enough to muck about with telescopes, much preferring the quick set up and easy storage for the level of astronomy that I play at, although the Celestrons are good enough to show mars as a small disc and some of the moons of Jupiter.

 

[Stay Frosty]

I have what is probably the same set, but I use them on a tripod.

I also have some lovely old Carl Zeiss 10x50's that are much better for handheld obs.

I'm not into it enough to muck about with telescopes, much preferring the quick set up and easy storage for the level of astronomy that I play at, although the Celestrons are good enough to show mars as a small disc and some of the moons of Jupiter.

I reckon a tripod would be a good idea as I've tried leaning against things to steady the view and then lost the ability to sweep looking for the target.

 

[Ghost]

@Stay Frosty
Definitely need a tripod with binoculars, or sometimes I use a small beanbag or cushion, placed on a wall.

I use the SkyView app for info about the night sky, and the Nightcap app is great app for taking photos.

 

[TeeCeeJay]

BBC News - Seven planets align in UK skies this week for last time until 2040 - BBC News

Seven planets align in UK skies this week for last time until 2040

The best chance to see as many as possible will be after sunset on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Sackmycook]

Looking good for spotting tonight in North Northumberland

 

[Roberts83]

Looks good for Northants too

 

[Sasquatch]

Looks good for Northants too

Shame I've got a blinding headache.

 

[Kind of Blue]

Absolutely brilliant star lit evening in Wales. Walked up the hill to fields up above the dwelling well before last light. Was treated to a pair of fast swept wing jet fighters dogging about the skies flashing by Venus. Wish I had a good camera or film camera The cacophony they created when banking or climbing, thunderous chest resonating! A great symphony saluting the planets They circled about for a while sometimes disappearing and then suddenly white lights appear in the far distance homing in! Then as they closed, banked over port and starboard lights revealed. The local skies unspoiled by street lighting, only distant farms twinkled and far off roads LEDs little brighter than the stars traced routes across the distance but Venus was like a flash lamp on turbo boost. Saw a few brighter lights in the skies one blue green and another quite red. I was using two pairs of cheap binoculars 10X and a 10 -30X set at 15X We went out just as the sun dipped and have only been back a short while. A very good display so many stars. Could see some streaks of clouds drifting in from the south west a warning of rain in the morrows early hours. As we descended back towards home we could hear the owls calling out.

Quite a privilege, especially as it has been so wet recently and could easily have missed it behind grey clouds. So very pleasant to have shared the cosmic spectical with fellow star gazers on here.

 

[Stay Frosty]

Just stepped out into the back garden expecting the wrong sort of dark sky but lo and behold clear and the only thing stopping me seeing all the planets was 66 year old eyeballs and Saturn and Venus being below the horizon.

 

[Kind of Blue]

Spotted a few moving satellites also, vision was so cleaar.

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Aurora lights up UK skies in a spectacular display

Spectacular displays of the Northern Lights have been seen over recent nights with the potential for more to come.

www.bbc.co.uk

More to come later in the week apparently!?

 

[Skyliner33]

And don’t forget the partial solar eclipse on Saturday morning.

 

[Stay Frosty]

All well and good but this solar activity is literally killing propagation on the HF amateur radio bands.
We're at the Spring equinox, the solar flux is reasonably high but the A and K indexes are all over the place meaning what should be a piece of duff is hard work... yes I know it's only a hobby but the astronomers are hogging the Sun too much at the moment.

 

[JOG]

All well and good but this solar activity is literally killing propagation on the HF amateur radio bands.
We're at the Spring equinox, the solar flux is reasonably high but the A and K indexes are all over the place meaning what should be a piece of duff is hard work... yes I know it's only a hobby but the astronomers are hogging the Sun too much at the moment.

A good solar flare is needed to knock out some of the spectrum….give us a reset opportunity

 

[whodat]

"Dear Sun and Moon,
I would like to make a complaint.
Will you two stop screwing around please.

My next option would be to start legal proceedings as the situation is becoming untenable.
See you in court suckers.
"

 

[Stay Frosty]

The moon isn't a problem unless you live really close to the beach at sea level and some amateurs work moon bounce using long Yagi antennas and shed loads of power to use the moons surface as a satellite relay to work any part of the Earth that can see the moon at that point.
The Sun on the other hand really is mucking about in this cycle 25, one day I can work Australia on 10 metres the next I can barely get across the Atlantic.
This Tuesday favoured South America talking into Chile and Bob VP8LP in Port Stanley but then the Sun had farted earlier and the band just washed out as the Carribbean started coming in.
Luckily I can go out and order the plants in the back about to take out my frustration and it's getting pretty tidy out there.


No Sun today, typical.

 

[Sasquatch]

The moon isn't a problem unless you live really close to the beach at sea level and some amateurs work moon bounce using long Yagi antennas and shed loads of power to use the moons surface as a satellite relay to work any part of the Earth that can see the moon at that point.
The Sun on the other hand really is mucking about in this cycle 25, one day I can work Australia on 10 metres the next I can barely get across the Atlantic.
This Tuesday favoured South America talking into Chile and Bob VP8LP in Port Stanley but then the Sun had farted earlier and the band just washed out as the Carribbean started coming in.
Luckily I can go out and order the plants in the back about to take out my frustration and it's getting pretty tidy out there.
View attachment 280448
View attachment 280449
No Sun today, typical.

You know I'm going to be antenna spotting now as I drive around locally!

 

[whodat]

Wow - that is a setup and a half.
In the old days I had a CB. Does that count?

 

[Bav]

That's one hell of a rotary washing line you've got there!

 

[Sasquatch]

That's one hell of a rotary washing line you've got there!

It's also heated!