Stuff in the Sky

Did anyone on the east coast catch the Wallops Island launch last night? For those of us in the northern tier, the visible launch signature would have been visible in the southeast for about 55 seconds, followed by about another 40-60 seconds of tracer.
Yeah it's not much, but launches there are pretty rare.
 
I have been seeing alot of great deals on used telescopes on FB marketplace. I am keeping a close eye out for a deal I just can't pass up.
 
Did anyone on the east coast catch the Wallops Island launch last night? For those of us in the northern tier, the visible launch signature would have been visible in the southeast for about 55 seconds, followed by about another 40-60 seconds of tracer.
Yeah it's not much, but launches there are pretty rare.
I watched Starship (No. 10) lift off about a half hour ago. The ship is sub-orbital right now.
 
Passed through there shortly after a launch/non-launch exploded shortly after lift off one night about 15 years ago. I had just cleared the CBBT N/B and the night sky just lit up in the windshield like the start of an August night thunderstorm but it wasn’t a flash and gone moment. Lingered for a while then disapateted.
I started to smell the aroma of fuel burn about 10 minutes before passing west of there. The close proximity to Ocean City Md may give those folks a Canaveral mini vibe at launch times.
 
Calling all fellow astronomers. I have noticed the used market for telescopes is amazing right now. I already have an introductory level 130EQ Relector. I am thinking something small fancy, and moveable. I am itching to view Andromeda, and found some spectacular viewing spots out in Capital Forest.


What do yall think of something like this? 1756766584285.png
But was thinking also something computerized this time too. ?????????????
 
Calling all fellow astronomers. I have noticed the used market for telescopes is amazing right now. I already have an introductory level 130EQ Relector. I am thinking something small fancy, and moveable. I am itching to view Andromeda, and found some spectacular viewing spots out in Capital Forest.


What do yall think of something like this? View attachment 165537
But was thinking also something computerized this time too. ?????????????

Very nice - have to consider whether you want photos or just viewing. Some of the computerized scopes are quite amazing, do everything but the dishes, which may take some of the fun out of it.

Think the resale market is due top an explosion during COVID, no folks offloading equipment they no longer use.
 
I woke up near midnight last night and went outside and looked at the sky to the north, since I had read that a recent solar storm might result in visible aurora, but no such luck for me in West Seattle. I tried the phone camera but it also did not pick up anything notable.
 
I woke up near midnight last night and went outside and looked at the sky to the north, since I had read that a recent solar storm might result in visible aurora, but no such luck for me in West Seattle. I tried the phone camera but it also did not pick up anything notable.
Same here in the Poconos, at least through the tiny window of open sky to my north; took about 350 x 25" time lapse photos, Nada. Did pick up a couple of meteorites:

1756939683659.jpeg

Cheers
 
Comet alert!!

Comet C/2025 A6 (Comet Lemon) is streaking our way. Recent estimates suggest it should reach a magnitude of 4.5 by the third week of October, visible to the naked eye, in the predawn north eastern sky;

The predawn mornings of 05 and 06 October could provide a great opportunity for interesting astrophotography as C/2025 A6 zips through Ursa Major (magnitude 8.6), with the spiral galaxy NGC 3184 (the Little Pinwheel Galaxy) and Tania Australis, a variable hyper-giant star, in the same frame (projection from Sky Safari 6. Pro):

Screenshot 2025-09-05 at 5.45.05 PM.png

The Canuck Observatory, in mothballs since the move to the Poconos, may have to call back furloughed staff and go mobile to take advantage of this opportunity.

Cheers
 
Comet alert!!

Comet C/2025 A6 (Comet Lemon) is streaking our way. Recent estimates suggest it should reach a magnitude of 4.5 by the third week of October, visible to the naked eye, in the predawn north eastern sky;

The predawn mornings of 05 and 06 October could provide a great opportunity for interesting astrophotography as C/2025 A6 zips through Ursa Major (magnitude 8.6), with the spiral galaxy NGC 3184 (the Little Pinwheel Galaxy) and Tania Australis, a variable hyper-giant star, in the same frame (projection from Sky Safari 6. Pro):

View attachment 165948

The Canuck Observatory, in mothballs since the move to the Poconos, may have to call back furloughed staff and go mobile to take advantage of this opportunity.

Cheers
Crap I'll be headed west during that time frame.
 
Going to check my schedule. May be up on the LJ at that time but…never know.

Front of house faces NE, unfortunately the deck is on the SW. It’s on my calendar anyway.
 
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