29 December 2009

Partial Lunar Eclipse

We begin this new year with Partial Lunar Eclipse, good 'omen' for us amateur astronomers. On January 1st, 2010 the Moon will be partly covered by Earth's shadow, but, the coverage will be very less. The Eclipse will start at 00:26am and ends at 1:18am. The maximum shadow coverage will be about 1'47”. Hope the skies will be clear by then. The Lunar Eclipse will be visible from Bangalore and also from all parts of India.

Moon Partial Eclipse Bangalore
Moon will enter the Penumbral shadow at 10:46 pm, 31st December 2009.

Moon will enter the Umbral shadow at 00:26 , 1st January 2010.

Moon will leave the Umbral shadow at 1:18am, 1st January 2010.

Moon will leave the Penumbral shadow at 2:56am 1st January 2010.

Lunar Eclipse Bangalore ABAA

18 December 2009

Sunspot by Vishwanath Hawargi

Here is an image of the Sun with Sunspot sent by Vishwanath Hawargi from Bangalore. After a long time there is some activity on the Sun, nearly a year without any Sun spots, finally there is Sunspot visible through small backyard telescopes. Amateurs around the world are taking photos of this Sunspot and hope many of our fellow Amateurs will take photos and share them.


Date: 18/12/2009
Time: 9:20am
Place: Bangalore.
Camera: Canon 50D
Lens: 135mm at f/32
Shutter speed: 1/2000
ISO 100

16 December 2009

Preparing for Annual Eclipse 2010: Photographing the Sun by Chandrashekar

The longest annular eclipse of this millenium is round the corner. At 11 minutes 8 seconds, the eclipse of 15th January 2010 will be the longest till 3043 AD. Understandably amateur astronomers are excited about it. South East coast of India provides a good opportunity to witness this spectacle. Coming as it does in the peak winter, clear skies are almost guaranteed too. Almost, because you never know if the next depression decides to come around at that time!

Granted, an annular eclipse is probably not as exciting as a total eclipse. Nevertheless it is a celestial event that one would not get to see too often. We, at ABAA are preparing for the event. Several of our members are planning a trip to witness the event. Some are getting their telescopes ready for the event while others are content to carry their camera/tripod to capture the excitement.

The following pictures were taken by Chandrashekar with solar filters. The exposure times are also given to provide an indication of exposure times required. Of course, the actual exposure time depends on several factors like how clear the sky is, type of filter used etc. Those who are preparing to photograph the event are advised to try out their equipment and do a full dress rehersal to ensure that everything works as planned. Right now the Sun is going through a solar minimum that is puzzling astronomers. As the photographs here show, there is not a single sun spot. Let's hope a few will appear to add some more excitement during the eclipse!


Annular Eclipse
Camera: Cannon ESO 400D
Lens: 500mm at f/8
Exposure: 1/640
ISO 800

Sun Filter
Camera: Cannon ESO 400D
Lens: 500mm at f/6.3
Exposure: 1/500
ISO 800

Camera: Cannon ESO 400D
Lens: 500mm at f/6.3
Exposure: 1/200
ISO 800
Eclipse Preparation
Camera: Cannon ESO 400D
Lens: 500mm at f/6.3
Exposure: 1/80
ISO 800



Regards,
Chandra

15 December 2009

Astrophoto by Dilip Kumar

Here is an astrophoto sent by Dilip Kumar. The Cassiopeia region has been captured well with the milky way. Andromeda galaxy is also seen. (click on the image for larger version)
Cassiopeia Andromeda Astrophoto

Date: 7/12/2009
Lens: 24mm at f/2
ISO 400
Exposure time: 5 mins (Hand driven)
Filter: Diffuse Filter

14 December 2009

ABAA outreach at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya

What more can one ask for? A field filled with kids lined up to take a glimpse at the biggest planet in the solar system, bursting with energy, waiting in long lines and in the cold evening, to see the sparkle in their eyes after seeing the Giant planet, the questions on the bands on Jupiter, the moons, the solar system. Volunteers of ABAA and teachers answering all the questions and explaining the concepts, with equal enthusiasm and energy, kid after kid, questions after questions.
ABAA outreach
ABAA Bangalore

This was the atmosphere at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Dodballapur, where ABAA conducted the outreach program on December 11th, Friday.

Telescopes were setup and were aimed at Jupiter, 400 students lined up and patiently waited for their turn, one by one they saw the Giant planet and were amazed at the sight. Students enjoyed the bands on the planet and the four moons of Jupiter. After observing the planet the students had million questions, these were answered by the volunteers and teachers present there.



Later, when all the students finished observing Jupiter, teachers observed through the telescopes and a very good interactive session took place on telescopes and astronomy.

If there is anything more one could ask for, is....more of these kinds of programs....

03 December 2009

Occultation of Europa by Io

This Sunday the 6th of December, there is a very good reason for taking your telescopes out. Train your telescopes to the planet Jupiter at 8:30pm IST and you will notice that Io and Europa are very close to each other. Observe for couple of minutes more and you can notice that they are getting closer and closer. Yes, your guess is right, there will be an occultation of the Galilean moons Io and Europa. Io will occult Europa this evening, starting at 8:49pm IST. The event can be seen from all parts of India, the timings are for Bangalore co ordinates. Its better to start observing the moons from 8:45pm IST and time the event. The event will be for 5 minutes but better and accurate timing is a good exercise.

Io will be getting closer to Jupiter in its orbit and Europa is moving away from Jupiter.

Here are images that will help you in locating the planet Jupiter and one to help identifying the moons. Click in image for larger version.






Images generated from Cartes du ciel

02 December 2009

Moon by Prakash

Here are photos sent by Prakash Subbanna leading up to Full Moon. All photos taken with Canon 50D. Click on the image for larger version.


Date: 21/11/2009
Lens: 400mm
Aperture: f/8
Shutter: 1/100
ISO: 200



Date: 23/11/2009
Lens: 400mm
Aperture: f/8
Shutter: 1/100
ISO: 200



Date: 27/11/2009
Lens: 400mm
Aperture: f/6.3
Shutter: 1/200
ISO: 200



Date: 30/11/2009
Lens: 400mm
Aperture: f/8
Shutter: 1/200
ISO: 200




Date: 01/12/2009
Lens: 400mm
Aperture: f/8
Shutter: 1/320
ISO: 200



Date: 2/11/2009
Lens: 400mm
Aperture: f/8
Shutter: 1/200
ISO: 200