Yeah, here's another photo from last night's shoot at the observatory. These were the only two that were good but they really made me happy because, up til then, I'd been unable to get any kind of photo through the big telescope. Now, well, it'll be fun to see what we can do. There's a color fringe around the lunar disc –chromic abberration– that's a common problem with refractors but it ain't bad considering the optics of this 9-inch achromatic doublet are 107 or so years old! I sent a copy of this photo to a local newspaper to see if they'll use it and give us a bit of added publicity. It's surprising to me just how excited people get when they look at the lunar surface through a good telescope. Gratifying too, as if I had anything to do with it! I guess it's just pleasing letting folks see the universe in a way they usually cannot. Our Moon is to be the centerpiece of July 28th's open house at the observatory.
Today we went on a rather demanding albeit short bicycle ride from Medina to Spencer Lake and back. Hilly on the way out, and gradual climb against the wind on the way back, a 28-mile round-trip. A nice day in the sun and fresh air but I'm tired from the late night and today's exertion and, as usual after a ride, I'm sore in the shoulders and have some tinnitus.
Good Night Moon!
That is an amazing photo.
Thanks, Emjay! The photo isn't quite as sharp as I'd like but not bad for an early effort. The bluish cast is due to the fact that the image was recorded during twilight. I really enjoy the fact that the light was collected by a century-old telescope and recorded by a digital SLR — technologies spanning more than 100 years! — JamesG