Monthly Archives: December 2013

The Horsehead Nebula

IC434 & B33 Horsehead Nebula Close-up with NGC-2023

Image Credit & Copyright: John Chumack
Explanation: The Horsehead Nebula is one of the most famous nebulae on the sky. It is visible as the dark indentation to the red emission nebula in the center of the above photograph. The horse-head feature is dark because it is really an opaque dust cloud that lies in front of the bright red emission nebula. Like clouds in Earth’s atmosphere, this cosmic cloud has assumed a recognizable shape by chance. After many thousands of years, the internal motions of the cloud will alter its appearance. The emission nebula’s red color is caused by electrons recombining with protons to form hydrogen atoms. Also visible at the bottom left of the picture is a greenishreflection nebulae that preferentially reflects the blue light from nearby stars.

NASA APOD 31-dec-13

NGC 4395 in Canes Venatici

NGC 4395 is a low surface brightness spiral galaxy with a halo that is about 8′ in diameter. It has several wide areas of greater brightness running northwest to southeast. The one furthest southeast is the brightest. Three of the patches have their own NGC numbers: 4401, 4400, and 4399 running east to west.

The nucleus of NGC 4395 is active and the galaxy is classified as a Seyfert. It is notable for containing one of the smallest supermassive black hole with an accurately-determined mass. The central black hole has a mass of “only” 300,000 sun masses, which would make it a so-called “intermediate-mass black hole”.

Mount: NEQ6 Pro SynScan
Equipment: Skywatcher Black Diamond ED120 APO
Type of camera: Moravian G2 8300
Exposure time: Moravian G2 LRGB 620:210:150:300
Total: 21h 20 min.
Focal Length: 765 mm with Skywatcher
+ 0,85 Reducer
Distance 4.83 Mpc
Data reduction with PixInsight 1.7, Photoshop

Autor: Dieter Beer

AstroPhotography of the day by SPONLI
31 December 2013

We select the best works of amateur astrophotographers with details of equipment, shooting processing etc.

Nebulas in Hydrogen Alpha

@ Vincent Vegabort

: Camera : Astro60D (cooled at-16C) Telescope/Lens : Takahashi FSQ-85ED w 0.73x reducer (327mm f/3.8 ) Filter : Astronomik 6nm Ha ISO : 3200 Tracking Mount : Takahashi EM-11 Autoguide : SBIG SG-4 Total Exposure Time : 8mins x 36frames w Dark Frames, Bias Frames process w DSS,PI, PS5

: Camera : Astro60D (cooled at-20C) Telescope/Lens : Takahashi FSQ-85ED (450mm f/5.3) Filter : Astronomik 6nm Ha EOS clip-on ISO : 3200 Tracking Mount : Takahashi EM-11 Autoguide : SBIG SG-4 Total Exposure Time : 8mins x 23frames w Dark Frames, Bias Frames process w DSS,PI, PS5

: Camera : SBIG STF-8300M (cooled at-10C) Telescope/Lens : Microtech RC6 with 0.75X reducer (1,032mm f/6.7) Filter : Astrodon 5nm Ha Tracking Mount : Takahashi EM-11 Autoguide : SBIG OAG with ST-i set Total Exposure Time : 5mins X 11 w Dark Frames, Bias Frames process w CCD stack,PI, PS5

: Camera : SBIG STF-8300M (cooled at-5C) Telescope/Lens : Takahashi FSQ-85ED (450mm f/5.3) Filter : Astrodon 5nm Ha Tracking Mount : Takahashi EM-11 Autoguide : SBIG SG-4 Total Exposure Time : 5mins x 13 w Dark Frames, Bias Frames process w CCD stack,PI, PS5

: Camera : SBIG STF-8300M (cooled at-10C) Telescope/Lens : Microtech RC6 with 0.75X reducer (1,032mm f/6.7) Filter : Astrodon 5nm Ha Tracking Mount : Takahashi EM-11 Autoguide : SBIG OAG with ST-i set Total Exposure Time : 10mins X 17 w Dark Frames, Bias Frames process w CCD stack,PI, PS5

: Camera : Astro60D (cooled at-16C) Telescope/Lens : Takahashi FSQ-85ED (450mm f/5.3) Filter : Astronomik 6nm Ha ISO : 1600 Tracking Mount : Takahashi EM-11 Autoguide : SBIG SG-4 Total Exposure Time : 8 mins X 11 frames w Dark Frames, Bias Frames process w DSS,PS5

The Sun Online and solar activity. December 29, 2013

There were one M flare and nine C flares on the Sun during the past 24 hours. The M3.1 flare was released by NOAA AR 11936, and peaked at 07:56 UT on December 29. The probability for C flares over the next 48 hours is very high (around 95%) and for M flares around 55%. There is a slight chance for an X flare, especially from AR 11936. The > 10 MeV proton flux as observed by GOES13 started rising near 18:50 UT on December 28. It exceeded the threshold level of 10 pfu around 21:50 UT, and attained a peak value of 29 pfu at 23:15 UT. It went under the 10 pfu threshold again at 7:50 UT on
December 29, and is further decreasing. The > 50 MeV and > 100 MeV proton flux have also increased, but have not exceeded the 10 pfu threshold. This proton event is most probably associated with the halo CME first observed by LASCO C2 at 17:36 UT on December 28, which is probably linked to a backsided eruption. A warning condition for further proton storms is issued.Around 13h UT on December 28, the olar wind speed as observed by ACE suddenly increased above its plateau of around 300 km/s, and gradually rose further to a plateau of around 370 km/s. During the past 24 hours, the magnitude of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field varied between about 3 nT and 9 nT. A continuation of nominal solar wind conditions is expected on December 29-31. Geomagnetic activity has been quiet over the past 24 hours
(NOAA Kp between 1 and 2). Quiet geomagnetic conditions (K Dourbes < 4) are expected on December 29, 30, and 31, with a slight chance of active conditions (K Dourbes = 4) in the first half of December 30 (in case the Earth suffers a glancing blow from the CME first observed by LASCO C2 at 7:36 UT on December 26).
SIDC

Equipment: Coronado 90 + SBIG 8300s + LX75
Processing: Photoshop
Date: 12/29/13
Time UT: 17:00
Exposure 0.8 sec.

With SPONLI Space is getting closer!

The Sun Online and solar activity. December 30, 2013

Several C-class flares occurred since our last bulletin, all originating in NOAA AR 11936. The largest one was a C5.4 flare peaking at 19:30 UT on December 29. We expect more C-class flares in the coming 24h. There is also a good chance (around 50%) for an M-class flare. Due to its location close
to the west limb and the fact that NOAA AR 11934 is still showing flux emergence and associated activity, we issue a warning condition for a proton event in case a strong flare occurs in this active region.

CACTUS reported the detection of a partial halo CME at 07:12 UT on December 29. This CME originated near NOAA AR 11938. Coronagraph images from LASCO/C2 and STEREO-B/COR2 show that this is a very slow event (around 180 km/s) which is mostly southward directed. We do not expect geomagnetic effects from this eruption.
The leading edge of a recurrent coronal hole has crossed the central meridian. This coronal hole has grown compared to the previous rotation. At that time, the associated fast wind stream caused a geomagnetic storm (Kp up to 6, K_Dourbes up to 5).The solar wind speed has decreased further to
300 km/s and the total strength of the magnetic field lies around 6 nT. Current geomagnetic conditions are quiet. We expect them to remain so until late on January 1, when we foresee the arrival of a coronal hole wind stream. Minor storm conditions (K_Dourbes up to 5) are expected.
SIDC

Equipment: Coronado 90 + SBIG 8300s + LX75
Processing: Photoshop
Date: 12/30/13
Time UT: 17:00
Exposure 0.8 sec.

With SPONLI Space is getting closer!

Quantum Streampunk Fantasy Fractal Landscape

Image Credit & Copyright: Jos Leys (Mathematical Imagery), Ultra Fractal
Explanation: What strange world is this? Pictured above is no real place but rather a purely mathematical visualization of a generalization of a fractal into three dimensions. Classical fractal diagrams are typically confined to the two dimensions inherent in the complex number plane, demarking regions where an iterative function diverges. Recently explored additions expand the Mandelbrot set of fractals to three dimensions with prescriptions dubbed Mandelbox and Mandelbulb sets. The results are often visually stunning creations of virtual worlds with limitless detail, some of which you can fly through. Pictured above is one such mathematical fantasy, possibly reminiscent of some sort of steam-punkian, quantum-mechanical landscape.

Little Dumbbell Nebula in Perseus

The Little Dumbbell Nebula, also known as Messier 76, NGC 650/651, the Barbell Nebula, or the Cork Nebula, is a planetary nebula in theconstellation Perseus. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780 and included in Charles Messier’s catalog of comet-like objects as number 76. It was first recognised as a planetary nebula in 1918 by the astronomer Heber Doust Curtis. However, there is some contention to this claim, as Isaac Roberts in 1891 did suggest that M76 might be similar to the Ring Nebula (M57), being instead as seen from the side view. The structure is now classed as a bipolar planetary nebula (BPNe). Distance to M76 is currently estimated as 780 parsecs or 2,500 light years, making the average dimensions about 0.378 pc. (1.23 ly.) across.

Imaging telescopes or lenses: Celestron C1100 Edge HD
Imaging cameras: Atik 428EX
Mounts: Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro
Guiding telescopes or lenses: Celestron C1100 Edge HD
Software: PixInsight, Stark Labs Nebulosity 3.1, PHD, Adobe Photoshop CS5 CS5
Filters: Baader Planetarium L,R,G,B,Ha,Oiii,Sii
Accessories: Starlight Xpress Lodestar, Celestron OAG
Dates: Oct. 1, 2012

Autor: Tim Jardine

AstroPhotography of the day by SPONLI
30 December 2013

We select the best works of amateur astrophotographers with details of equipment, shooting processing etc.

Time-Lapse Auroras Over Norway

Credit & Copyright: Terje Sørgjerd; Music: Gladiator Soundtrack: Now we are Free
Explanation: Sometimes, after your eyes adapt to the dark, a spectacular sky appears. Such was the case in 2011 March when one of the largest auroral displays in recent years appeared over northern locations like the border between Norway and Russia. Pictured in the above time-lapse movie, auroras flow over snow covered landscapes, trees, clouds, mountains and lakes found near Kirkenes, Norway. Many times the auroras are green, as high energy particles strike the Earth’s atmosphere, causing the air to glow as electrons resettle into their oxygen hosts. Other colors are occasionally noticeable as atmospheric nitrogen also becomes affected. In later sequences the Moon and rising stars are also visible. With the Sun currently hovering near its time of maximum activity, there may be many opportunities to see similarly spectacular auroras personally, even from areas much closer to the equator.
NASA APOD 29-dec-13

NGC7023: Iris Nebula

The Iris Nebula, also NGC 7023 and Caldwell 4, is a bright reflection nebula and Caldwell object in the constellation Cepheus. NGC 7023 is actually the cluster within the nebula, LBN 487, and the nebula is lit by a magnitude +7 star, SAO 19158. It shines at magnitude +6.8. It is located near theMira-type variable star T Cephei, and near the bright magnitude +3.23 variable star Beta Cephei (Alphirk). It lies 1,300 light-years away and is six light-years across.

Imaging telescopes or lenses: CELESTRON Edge HD 800
Imaging cameras: Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi / Kiss X2
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-G
Guiding telescopes or lenses: SkyWatcher 80/400
Guiding cameras: SBIG STV
Software: DeepSkyStacker, Adobe Photoshop CS5
Dates: July 14, 2012
Locations: Hata
Frames: 33×600″
Integration: 5.5 hours

Autor: Hata Sung

29 December 2013

We select the best works of amateur astrophotographers with details of equipment, shooting processing etc.

The Sun Online and solar activity. December 28, 2013

There were six C flares on the Sun during the past 24 hours. The brightest one was a C2.3 flare released by NOAA AR 11934, which peaked at 23:36 UT on December 27. Since AR 11934 and 11936 are still showing flux emergence, the probability for C flares over the next 48 hours is high (around 90%) and
for M flares around 25%.Over the past 24 hours, the solar wind speed as observed by ACE gradually decreased from about 310 km/s to about 280 km/s. Around 18h UT on December 27, the magnitude of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field dropped suddenly from about 8 nT to about 3 nT. A continuation of
nominal solar wind conditions is expected on December 28-30. Geomagnetic activity has been quiet over the past 24 hours (NOAA Kp between 0 and 2). Quiet geomagnetic conditions (K Dourbes < 4) are expected on December 28, 29, and 30, with a slight chance of active conditions (K Dourbes = 4) in
the first half of December 30 (in case the Earth suffers a glancing blow from the CME first observed by LASCO C2 at 7:36 UT on December 26).

SIDC

Equipment: Coronado 90 + SBIG 8300s + LX75
Processing: Photoshop
Date: 12/28/13
Time UT: 17:00
Exposure 0.8 sec.

With SPONLI Space is getting closer!

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