Astronomy

"It is clear to everyone that astronomy at all events compels the soul to look upwards, and draws it from the things of this world to the other" - Plato in The Republic

Latest Events

I've got a new, portable observing set-up; a Vixen 80mm semi-apochromatic refractor. You can read all it in on the equipment page. I've already given it its first light and with the autumn skies well and truly here I hope to be getting out more and more as the year draws to a close.

26th October 2008 - Latest Observing Report

See my current observing plan for the month.

Read my Astronomical Highlights of 2007 which was given as a presentation to the Aberdeen Astronomical Society at their January 2008 meeting

Check out the AstroPod, a podcast from Grad students at Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy.

Latest Meteor Activity (from the SPA)
Latest Comet Activity (from Martin Mckenna)
Latest Variable Star Activity (from the SPA)

Introduction

Whilst at University I became a keen amateur astronomer, interested in a variety of different areas including deep sky targets, the planets and Moon, comets and phenomenon closer to home such as Noctilucent Clouds and the Aurora Borealis. I have two telescopes - an 8" Newtonian reflector (pictured right) and a 3.5" apochromatic refractor and the majority of the reports found in my Observations Log, which contains images, information and observing reports, were made with these 'scopes.

Whilst at University I was an enthusiastic member of the Durham University Astronomy Society serving as both Obs Officer (2004-2005) and President (2006-2007). The Society Website contains a lot of information as well as articles and observing reports.

Now living in Aberdeen I have been a member of Aberdeen Astronomical Society since September 2007. I haven't yet been out to their dark-skies site but do hope to get my portable observing set-up out there soon.

To see all my blog postings related to astronomy please click here.

Special Events

Since becoming interested in astronomy I have tried my best to observe some of the more special and unique events and targets that have cropped up. These are reports from some of the best.

Total Lunar Eclipse - 3rd March 2007
Partial Lunar Eclipse - 8th September 2006
Partial Solar Eclipse - 29th March 2006
Comet C/2006 A1 Pojmanski - 1st March 2006
Nova RS Ophiuchi - 15th February 2006

Observing Projects

There are many different aspects to the study and enjoyment of the night sky and this section collects information on my primary interests.

Noctilucent Clouds - images and observations of this summer phenomenon
Iridium Flares - images and observations of man-made satellites flaring in the dark
Atmospheric Optical Phenomenon - generally interesting things in the (daytime) sky such as rainbows and sundogs

Articles

See the articles I have written on this page