Topic: Observing last night - Jupiter + Dumbbell

[sam]

It wasn't particularly clear during our observing session, which was mostly aimed at taking a look at the ISS and Jupiter with our own eyes, but we focused the Meade out at Wast Hills and took a couple of images...

http://www.krioma.net/blog/2011/12/observing_last_night_jupiter_d.php

[Clive]

Very nice pictures Sam.  I like the first shot because it clearly picks up Jupiter's belts while the second shot is a good one of the four moons.  To be fair you can clearly see the shape of the Dumbbell nebula.  For those who don't know, the nebula is basically the wreckage of a spent star.  The coloured gas is what remains of the star's outer layers after it has been ejected by the star which has become a very hot and tiny white dwarf.  The object is probably around 1000 light years away and the star will survive for many billions of years as it cools into a black dwarf. 

[sam]

This was mostly us testing out the focusing on a bad night. You can see the colours a lot more clearly in http://www.flickr.com/photos/starrydude/3660441614/

[sam]

This source always blows me away.

[Clive]

Outstanding detail in that photo Sam.  It's a real credit to you.