Try increasing gamma if dark sections aren't distinguished

Try increasing gamma if dark sections aren't distinguished

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

lunar eclipse 5/15/22

 The 5/15/22 lunar eclipse began with the partially eclipsed moon rising during full daylight--it being May:

full moon rising
Well, not exactly full:

eclipsed moon rising

In this wider view the partially eclipsed moon is visible rising in the shadow of the earth beneath the pink belt of venus, indicating the sun has set...a shadow within a shadow
partially eclipsed moon rising in the shadow of the earth, opposite the set sun

Here's an attempt at the progressive eclipse:

rising lunar eclipse sequence

And a star aligned view of the second half of the eclipse, showing part of the earth's shadow (thanks dave):

Eclipse end, star aligned.  


A bright star (upper left of moon) popped into view after being occulted by the passing eclipsed moon:


At the end of the eclipse the "blood red" moon had a prominent turquoise stripe.  Thought to be due to ozone in the upper atmosphere blocking red light. 

blue stripe at eclipse end (no saturation boost)

Short video showing the color change (4x speed):


refs:
https://www.phenomena.org/atmospheric/beltofvenus/
https://science.nasa.gov/blue-banded-blood-moon

image details:
5/15/22 
near pacific ridge trail head overlooking el moro canyon in crystal cove park (southern california)
nikon D850
poor transparency 
wide view:
AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm F3.5-5.6G ED VR  @ 32 mm f/16?
close ups:
F-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR @ 300 mm F/5.6

the rig:

samsung galaxy note 9
f/2.4 1/15s 6.0mm ISO 250

Sunday, May 8, 2022

eta aquarid?

i've recently had bad luck hunting bright meteors under my light polluted skies. Here's my latest effort during the eta aquarid meteor shower.
star trails 5/6-7/22

didn't catch much in the way of meteors, but distortion and chromatic aberration at the edge of the fisheye lens made cool oval star trails and subtle color fringing around polaris:
star trails around the north star, polaris (short arc)

here's a meteor candidate:
Meteor? 5/7/22 ~01:34 PDT
(north upper left)
pretty sure it's not a plane--i'm expert at identifying those, living near an airport.

heavens-above.com (link requires login)  lists one potential satellite.  it's about the right place, direction and time:
Cosmos 1980 rocket pass 5/7/22
Meteor or Cosmos 1980 rocket pass?


but stretching the chart out, aligning on the stars, and allowing for fisheye lens distortion in the image...
the streak in the sky appears to be in cygnus while the satellite passes in cepheus on the chart:
Meteor or Cosmos 1980 rocket pass?

the direction is also about right for an eta aquarid.
so cosmos rocket or eta aquarid?
i'm thinking meteor...
or is it something else?
 
imaging details:
5/6/22 10:46 PM - 5/7/22 2:54 AM (battery died), Eastbluff, CA
poor transparency
nikon D850
Sigma 15mm F/5 EX DG fisheye
30 sec, iso 200