APOD 4.7 (belated)

On a trip to Northern Norway, two brothers hoped to snap some quality pictures of auroras after there was an increase in solar activity.  Luckily they waited around just the right amount of time and caught this brilliant photograph. The duration of the aurora's appearance was merely a few minutes long, but this photograph will help spread its beauty. 

Godspeed,

Melanie

APOD 4.8

The Sky From Mauna Kea

On top of Hawaii's volcano, Mauna Kea, clear skies enabled this astounding photograph to be captured.  In the bottom left hand corner, another volcano is visible as well as the dark and thin Mauna Loa in the center. The green air glow visible in the center is credited to the molecules that were excited from the Sun's energy during the day.

Goodbye

Observation Post!

This never happens but I'm making an observation post.

I have been to a few stargazes over the past few months and haven't documented any of it! Let's see what I can remember. 

At the PV Astronomy night, I observed galaxies (which just looked like fuzzy patches), the Moon, many many constellations that Mr. Percival (Astrochap) generously pointed out with his insane red laser pointer. Although it was a bit cloudy that night, the wind allowed for the clouds to pass over and did give us time to observe most of the sky.  

At the local astronomers' stargaze over the weekend, I was able to observe through about eight or nine different telescopes! Most of the astronomers had their telescopes pointed at Jupiter (and its four moons), Mars, and the Moon.  I love seeing Jupiter through telescopes - even when the image is really tiny because you can still make out the colored bands across its surface.  Astrochap caught Maddy and myself towards the end and we reviewed the constellations briefly before leaving.  It was a night well spent.

Gudspud,

Spug

APOD 4.6

Across the Sun

Coronal mass ejections, plasma towers, solar filaments, and iodized hydrogen atoms are all key components in this telescopic capture (April 27th, 2015).  The solar filament seen in this image is estimated to be the same distance from the Earth to the Moon.  In the upper left corner, the plasma towers spotted are approximately reaching the Sun's edge.  !!! Amazing stuff.

Gxdspxxd,

Mxlxnxx  

APOD 4.3 (belated)

Extended Gas in Active Galaxies

Images taken by the Hubble Telescope display the Hanny Voorwerpjes in a collection of images.  It is clear that the HV is similar in size to that of the Milky Way Galaxy.  The green colors derive from the ionized gas being released by the galaxy.

Godsp33d,

M31@n13

APOD 4.5

Total Solar Eclipse Over Svalbard

In Svalbard, Norway, a group of onlookers observe the total solar eclipse occurrence that happened on 4/20/15.  This photograph was created by taking an image of the sky every 3 minutes and afterwards combining them all into one image with the same foreground.  This allows the viewer to see the entire process of the eclipse in one photograph. Since the moon completely covered the sun during this process, it appears to be night time when it is actually day time! It was an event like this that had a huge impact on Mr. Percival's life - therefore I am looking forward to the 2017 eclipse that will be visible from the US. I can't wait.

Gudspeed,

Spugood

APOD 4.4

                                                   Milky Way over Erupting Volcano 

Near the top of the Guatemalan volcano, Santa Maria, on February 28th, 2015, this photographer was able to capture the Milky Way galaxy over the nearby volcanoes and mountains of Guatemala. The featured volcanoes are from the Central America Volcanic Arc. The volcano that's erupting in the picture is called Fuego.  

Gdspd,

Mln