Society for Popular Astronomy

The comet is moving rapidly south now at almost 2 degrees a day. But at about 3 p.m. it is near the zenith if anyone wants to try with a big scope. I got some photos a couple of days ago with Canon G15. 1 second f/1.8 1600 ISO. but the comet is rather faint. Shows movement due to Earth rotation in a...

I saw the comet 2020 July 23 02.02 UT to 02.04 UT with 10x25 binocular.

It was 1.5 degrees from a lit white LED street light and about 15 arc minutes from a chimney pot.

I estimated it to be v. mag 3.7.
But at 9 degree elevation not very reliable.

Regards,
David

NEOWISE 2020 July 20 00.50 UT to 01.07 UT Just seen with unaided eyes and probably saw tail unaided eyes. Estimated coma at visual magnitude 2.9 with unaided eyes in severe light pollution and 5 degrees from the street light. Easy in 10x25 binocular and best in 8x32 binocular. Tail length 1.5 degree...

Lovely photo Jan and welcome. I saw the NLC but not the comet due to buildings. I consider high ISO to be 102,000 with the Sony A7S. 12,800 ISO is normal for all photos. 51,000 ISO is what I use for constellations. The Canon G15 is o.k. at its auto 1600 ISO. I had to hand hold the G15 this morning f...

Central condensation probably rather than nucleus.

I cannot see below 8 degrees because of buildings.
But maybe I could see the tail.

No luck this morning.

Regards,
David

NLC Very bright. 2020 July 11 02.01 UT to 02.26 UT continuing very bright. Bands, waves and patches. Maximum elevation 14 degrees. Azimuth 345 to 020 both ends limited by trees. Very bright angled patch just west of north but partly hidden by roof. Very nice. Also 01.48 UT Mars and the Moon seen 9 d...

ISS, I think. Unaided eyes and 7x35 binocular. First seen azimuth 260 degrees elevation about 20 degrees rising 2020 July 7 02.11 UT. Maximum elevation about 60 degrees magnitude minus 3.5 approx. White. Last seen fading about mag 2.5 at 20 degree elevation (roof top) azimuth 80 degrees, 2020 July 7...

Hi Nigel, One does not expect a room to explode with a loud bang and vivid white flash of light. There was a smell of burning for half an hour beforehand, so I turned the gas rings main tap off, thinking it might be that. What worried me was fire. I have several powder extinguishers but don't know i...

This morning 2020 June 22 between 01.55 UT and 02.38 UT I witnessed one of the best U.K. NLC displays in 50 years. All 5 forms. Very bright. 5 degrees to 50 degrees elevation. Azimuth 320 degrees (Trees/buildings limit) to 125 degrees. At 120 degrees azimuth display was 45 degree elevation. Clear tr...

John, I saw this 2020 June 17 from 01.45 UT to 02.22 UT when it was fading. I lost it at 02.32 UT due to brightening sky. New white LED streetlight a nuisance. It was bright and maximum elevation was 11 degrees here. I have a very restricted view due to trees, buildings etc. so I only saw it from az...

Welcome. Back focus of Nikons is usually longer. It might work with a Barlow lens or moving secondary or main mirror along axis. But this may not be easy. Adapters containing a 1.2x lens may also work, such as Minolta MD to Minolta AF. SRB Griturn have such adapters. There may be some Nikon adapters...

2020 June 6 0205 UT to 02.32 UT. Continuing. Bright display. Elevation 6 degrees to 40 degrees maximum. Azimuth 335 degrees to 035 degrees limited by large tree on left and building on right. Bands 2 Whirls 4 Amorphous 5. Transparency good. Remarkably fast speed noted in 10x42 binocular east to west...

The sky has been unusually transparent, especially at low elevation, say 10 degrees. This is almost daily at about 0200 UT. I think the lack of aircraft contrails is part of the reason. Every morning I look for noctilucent cloud, but no success yet. There is a large tree in the way, which lessons my...

Very nice.
This evening 19.44UT.
Clear transparent sky.
8.5x44 binocular.
Difficult angle for a scope.

Unusual to see such a bright object in the Pleiades and so close to the main stars.

Regards,
David

I think that skyglow gets worse and worse here, however, my eyes are also not so good. It may be that the constant building work just increases housing density. I see no evidence for any reduction in skyglow over time. The LEDs are massively overbright and 'security' lights breed like rabbits. :( Re...