As most of us are aware, our tiny planet is immersed in a vast Universe. Before all the light and air pollution, our ancestors could regularly view the night sky and the Milky Way as photographed below. These views stirred feelings of awe and wonder. Today such views unfortunately are the exception rather than the rule. Many people have no idea how incredibly beautiful the night sky is, and have lost touch with the wonder provoked by such magnificent sights. Nevertheless, though technology has contributed to obscuring the sky, it has also helped us discover a Universe beyond the wildest imaginings of human beings who lived but a few decades ago. We are now developing a new sense of awe as discovery after discovery emanate from astronomical research around the world.
Only in the last 400 years (in the cosmic scheme of things less than a millisecond) since Galileo turned his primitive telescope toward the heavens have we begun to have any appreciation for the unfathomable size, beauty, and majesty of this Cosmos and our place in it. Thanks in large part to the NASA space programs, the technology now exists for amateur astronomers to reach out with modest telescopes and cameras from their backyards and record many of the marvelous sights in color that a decade or so ago could be achieved only by professionals. With the new space telescopes, planetary probes, and huge earth-bound instruments that will shortly become operational, our knowledge of the Cosmos is increasing exponentially. One can just imagine what our view of the Universe will be like in another 400 years! As never before amateur astronomers are taking part in this grand adventure of discovery.
This website is designed and set up to share some amazing sights, to provide information both about astronomy and astrophotography, and to provoke reflection about our place in this stranger than fiction Universe. There is a description about the telescopes and cameras I use, a gallery of some of my favorite photos, a bit about myself and how to contact me, and resources for more information about astronomy and astrophotography. I hope you'll enjoy this site as much as I have in putting it together. And I hope it may add a new dimension to your life through viewing and reflecting on these Images from the Cosmos.
--Robert C. Richard, PhD; Member, Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit*
*I am proud to be a member of an astronomy club that was given a prestigious award in 2011 by Astronomy Magazine, at the conclusion of a national competition, for having the best community outreach program in the country! The members share a passion for bringing astronomy to the public (even designing and building a telescope that can be used by handicapped persons and children). This website continues in the tradition of sharing our hobby and the heavens we observe and photograph with anyone who is interested. Way to go, SBAU!
THANK YOU! There were a total of 7,759 visits to the website in 2011 with a record 736 monthly visits in October. Your continuing interest is greatly appreciated. I look forward to sharing more of this wondrous astrophotography journey with you through 2012. Enjoy, and be sure to contact me at starryrobert@aol.com should you have comments or questions.
IMAGES OF THE MONTH
Everyone is fascinated by comets. These ice and dust visitors from the outer reaches of the Solar System visit the sun from time to time. Some of them, like Halley's Comet, can be spectacular objects stretching across the sky. But most are much less notable and hardly garner any public interest. This is true of Comet Garradd that has been hanging out in the Solar System for many months. Because it is relatively distant from earth it appears to move more slowly and is visually fainter (around magnitude 7) and smaller; however, in real, absolute terms, it is a good-sized comet. It first made its appearance last August and is now (April 16) located toward the constellation Ursa Major (the Big Bear that contains the Big Dipper) right near the two stars that form the Bear's forepaws. It is beginning to fade and will appear as a faint, gray fuzz ball in binoculars or a small telescope.
The two photos below, taken last September, show the comet from two different perspectives: In the first photo the telescope is tracking on the stars and shows the movement of the comet through the sky (at that time in the constellation Hercules). So, the comet is blurred. The movement you see here took place over about an hour and was clearly perceptible to me as I made these photographs. In the second photo, the telescope is tracking the comet, thus causing the stars to show trails. This is always the orientation used to show comet details, which in this case reveals the nucleus, the coma, and a short tail pointing to the lower left. Comet Gerradd will soon fade from sight, a visitor that will have no return.
This website is designed and set up to share some amazing sights, to provide information both about astronomy and astrophotography, and to provoke reflection about our place in this stranger than fiction Universe. There is a description about the telescopes and cameras I use, a gallery of some of my favorite photos, a bit about myself and how to contact me, and resources for more information about astronomy and astrophotography. I hope you'll enjoy this site as much as I have in putting it together. And I hope it may add a new dimension to your life through viewing and reflecting on these Images from the Cosmos.
--Robert C. Richard, PhD; Member, Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit*
*I am proud to be a member of an astronomy club that was given a prestigious award in 2011 by Astronomy Magazine, at the conclusion of a national competition, for having the best community outreach program in the country! The members share a passion for bringing astronomy to the public (even designing and building a telescope that can be used by handicapped persons and children). This website continues in the tradition of sharing our hobby and the heavens we observe and photograph with anyone who is interested. Way to go, SBAU!
THANK YOU! There were a total of 7,759 visits to the website in 2011 with a record 736 monthly visits in October. Your continuing interest is greatly appreciated. I look forward to sharing more of this wondrous astrophotography journey with you through 2012. Enjoy, and be sure to contact me at starryrobert@aol.com should you have comments or questions.
IMAGES OF THE MONTH
Everyone is fascinated by comets. These ice and dust visitors from the outer reaches of the Solar System visit the sun from time to time. Some of them, like Halley's Comet, can be spectacular objects stretching across the sky. But most are much less notable and hardly garner any public interest. This is true of Comet Garradd that has been hanging out in the Solar System for many months. Because it is relatively distant from earth it appears to move more slowly and is visually fainter (around magnitude 7) and smaller; however, in real, absolute terms, it is a good-sized comet. It first made its appearance last August and is now (April 16) located toward the constellation Ursa Major (the Big Bear that contains the Big Dipper) right near the two stars that form the Bear's forepaws. It is beginning to fade and will appear as a faint, gray fuzz ball in binoculars or a small telescope.
The two photos below, taken last September, show the comet from two different perspectives: In the first photo the telescope is tracking on the stars and shows the movement of the comet through the sky (at that time in the constellation Hercules). So, the comet is blurred. The movement you see here took place over about an hour and was clearly perceptible to me as I made these photographs. In the second photo, the telescope is tracking the comet, thus causing the stars to show trails. This is always the orientation used to show comet details, which in this case reveals the nucleus, the coma, and a short tail pointing to the lower left. Comet Gerradd will soon fade from sight, a visitor that will have no return.
Photo taken with Canon Rebel XSi, ISO 3200; 19, 60 sec exposures through Celestron 11-inch SCT, F/6.3
Photo taken with Canon Rebel XSi, ISO 3200; 6, 60 sec exposures through Celestron 11-inch SCT, F/6.3
VIDEO Feature
View a stirring video that combines my astrophotos with the stunning music of Constance Demby (www.constancedemby.com) This video will transport you on a transcendent journey into the realm of deep outer space and will enhance your appreciation of the majesty and mystery of the universe. The video is in HD, so play at 720p and view in a darkened room. Enjoy!
To view a full screen HD version go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN6xUZ34dX4