Note that this is a change from a date (Aug 29) some of us had discussed a while back. Apologies to anyone who wasn’t included in the rescheduling discussion. I was still posting to the listserv from my Yahoo address then, and most things weren’t getting through.
For the same reasons, I’m reposting a message below about a few galaxy images I processed recently:
I finally starting to get a stable processing routine in PixInsight for my LRGB images, and have managed to get through a bunch of galaxies that I shot since last fall. These were all taken from my little backyard dog-servatory in Dunn Loring, between Tysons Corner and the Mosaic District, so you know there’s plenty of light pollution. The springtime galaxy images really suffered from this, as transparency was lower then and the soggy air reflected more light back down into the scope. Seeing was also much better for the one image shot in the fall (NGC 891), so details are sharper in that image. FWHM (a measure of sharpness of the stars in the image) was 1.95 arcsecs for that one, vs. 2.7 for the three shot in the spring.
Unfortunately tonight’s public night is canceled, the third cancelled Crockett Public Night in a row. Â The astronomy forecast predicts 70 percent or more cloud cover and the local forecast is cloudy with a 20% chance of showers or drizzle. Â Not acceptable conditions; nobody wants precipitation on lenses, mirrors or electronics.
Hoping for clear skies next month and many days before and after.
Tree Greenwood
Please read the C.M. Crockett Page for park details. Details will be updated for the Messier Marathon too!
Head over to the Astronomy Day page for more information.
Please read the C.M. Crockett Page for park details. Details will be updated for the Messier Marathon too!
Head over to the Astronomy Day page for more information.
Please read the C.M. Crockett Page for park details. Details will be updated for the Messier Marathon too!
Head over to the Astronomy Day page for more information.
All of the weather forecasts agree that Saturday evening will be cloudy. They disagree only on how early rain will begin. Not suitable conditions for observing the night sky so tomorrow’s public night is canceled.
Clear skies for the future,
R J ‘Tree’ Greenwood
Site Coordinator
Please read the C.M. Crockett Page for park details. Details will be updated for the Messier Marathon too!