Winter Solstice

[Satchmo]

Happy Winter Solstice, everyone :)

[matt]

Likewise, Mark:)

[Ric]

I believe the Sun was at it's most northerly point at 4:00 am this morning.
No wonder it was so cold. :D

Cheers

[erick]

The cold might have something to do with the absence of sunlight at 4am in Australia? :D

Fantastic, winter solstice - we've turned the corner! I like to have set up before sunset and this has been a real eye-opener in my first year's observing - how early the sun does go down in winter.

However, I do accept accept that it will get colder for some time yet. Going to be a challenge for my less than arctic-approved clothing :cold:

[matt]

Get that digicam bracket working for ya over the next few nights, Eric.

Some nice pics to be had looking NNW on sunset with Saturn and Venus quite close:)

[wavelandscott]

I am glad that someone posted about the winter solstice!

I meant to do it myself but it took a little longer than I had planned to clean up from the secret "ceremony" and all. Thanks to these efforts (and the contribution of a few less fortunate "chosen" others) we can now be sure that the days will begin to get longer again. Tough work but someone has to do it...

Happy Day to All! :D

[erick]

Matt, I'd need cloud-penetrating radar imaging at the moment!

But, first opportunity, I'm going to point my webcam, through the scope at Jupiter and click the mouse! I've got everything ready now, I think.

Still thinking about what camera to put on the digicam bracket?

[matt]

My first astropics were taken with the bracket and a Sony Cybershot through 20 and 15mm plossls attached to my SkyWatcher 8" f5 newt.

They came out quite well.

Happy days!

Hope the cloud clears for you tonight, Eric.

And happy winter solstice

[erick]

Yes, I can see myself borrowing my son's P&S digital camera - the only digital in the house. It can get up to 15 sec exposure - should be enough to capture something.