Tag: astrophotography

Capturing a Galaxy from my Balcony

The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is a spiral galaxy approximately 2.5 million light-years from Earth and the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way.

The tiny Corona virus has large effects, one of them making travelling to interesting places difficult. So instead of exploring the underwater sphere, let’s have a look in the opposite direction: the sky. Might it be possible to take a photo of deep space from home? Photographically speaking, there are similarities between capturing astro and…… Continue reading Capturing a Galaxy from my Balcony

Supermoon

The full moon illuminates Switzerland's Jura mountains November 14, 2016. The perigee full Moon, or supermoon, brings the Moon on its orbit close to the Earth.

The full moon on November 14, 2016 brings the Moon close to the Earth – it’s called a perigee full Moon, or supermoon. The distance between Moon and Earth is still 356’509 km, but nonetheless the Moon appears larger than usual. The last time the Moon was as close to our planet was in 1948, and…… Continue reading Supermoon

Supermoon in Total Lunar Eclipse

A total lunar eclipse coincides with a Supermoon, i.e. the closest approach of the Moon to the Earth on its elliptical orbit, on September 28, 2015.

On September 28, 2015, a total lunar eclipse coincides with a Supermoon, i.e. the closest approach of the Moon to the Earth on its elliptical orbit. The Moon closely approaching the Earth on its elliptical orbit will make it appear larger. For almost two hours, the Moon passes behind the Earth into its shadow. Due to the diffraction of…… Continue reading Supermoon in Total Lunar Eclipse

Perseid Meteor Shower

A shooting star races over the night sky in Switzerland on August 13, 2015. Shooting stars, or meteors, are visible paths of small particles racing into the atmosphere of the earth making the air glow. These meteor showers are called Perseids.

This years Perseid meteor shower peaking in the early hours of August 13 was ideal for observing hundreds of shooting stars because of the new moon and dark night sky. I woke up at two o’clock and saw dozens of meteors in one hour although there’s light pollution by artificial lighting.  

The Night of the Shooting Stars

The Milky Way is pictured above trees at the Creux du Van in Switzerland on August 15, 2013.

Every year, hundreds and thousands of rocky chunks the size of up to a house race into the earth’s atmosphere. These meteor showers are called Perseids.

A Shooting Star for Every Wish

A boy observes the night sky and the Milky Way at Grenchenberg, Switzerland August 10, 2012.

If you have a wish, then the weekend is a good time to make your dreams come true. The only thing you have to do is wait for the night to fall, go outside, lay on your back, and look up to the sky and wait until you see a shooting star. The night skies…… Continue reading A Shooting Star for Every Wish

Stars, Snow, and Some Smoke

Starry night over the Val d'Anniviers in the Swiss canton of Valais.

There is a reason for observatories to be located at high altitudes far from major centers of population causing light pollution. The Val d’Anniviers in Switzerland might fulfill these requirements. Indeed, there is a small observatory in Tignousa/St. Luc. When temperature is as low as during the last week, the sky is particularly clear, and…… Continue reading Stars, Snow, and Some Smoke