The blokes next door are amateur astronomers
A couple of blokes next door are amateur astronomers. They search the skies and the heavens for objects that are light years away.
Their technical equipment is sophisticated complicated, complex and expensive.
Just the gear used fascinates and interests me.
After they locate the target it remotely and accurately tracks and records the digital image over several hours.
The red objects on the end of the scopes are digital cameras.
Nothing is observed optically, it's all through an app on their tablets.
'Pommie' John, is English, ex military Paratrooper (so we can swap lies) and has lived in The Netherlands for many years and has been into astronomy since he was 16, before he joined the British military.
The gear, consists of tripod, scopes, motors, GPS, counter balances and tracking equipment, is digital, wifi and connects to their iPhone and laptop computers. It also includes a cooler and a case of very cold good beer. Tonight it was 'Becks', a German brew, but that is another story.
Last night they were observing 'the Bubble Nebula' (NGC 7635)
This digital photo was the result of an exposure of several hours and then more processing.
The Netherlands is not an ideal location for observers, but we don't have a lot of light pollution here in our rural location.
Only about 4 hours of darkness this time of year.
On really cold nights in the winter they can set up all the gear and monitor it remotely, by wifi from inside.
The Bubble nebula at this stage is just a mass of swirling gasses and wind that will eventually form a star.
Titbits :
Their technical equipment is sophisticated complicated, complex and expensive.
Just the gear used fascinates and interests me.
After they locate the target it remotely and accurately tracks and records the digital image over several hours.
The red objects on the end of the scopes are digital cameras.
Nothing is observed optically, it's all through an app on their tablets.
'Pommie' John, is English, ex military Paratrooper (so we can swap lies) and has lived in The Netherlands for many years and has been into astronomy since he was 16, before he joined the British military.
The gear, consists of tripod, scopes, motors, GPS, counter balances and tracking equipment, is digital, wifi and connects to their iPhone and laptop computers. It also includes a cooler and a case of very cold good beer. Tonight it was 'Becks', a German brew, but that is another story.
Last night they were observing 'the Bubble Nebula' (NGC 7635)
This digital photo was the result of an exposure of several hours and then more processing.
The Netherlands is not an ideal location for observers, but we don't have a lot of light pollution here in our rural location.
Only about 4 hours of darkness this time of year.
On really cold nights in the winter they can set up all the gear and monitor it remotely, by wifi from inside.
The Bubble nebula at this stage is just a mass of swirling gasses and wind that will eventually form a star.
Titbits :
Radius: 3.5 light years
Distance to Earth: 11,090 light years
Magnitude: 10
Coordinates: RA 23h 20m 48s | Dec +61° 12′ 6″
Apparent dimensions (V): 15′ × 8′
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