First Images of 2016
My buddy and I drove up to Pickett State Park which recently was designated a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association. The night wasn’t perfect; cold, little too windy, and high thin clouds to the south that…
nmbrandt
Observatory Site Progress – End of 2015
We’re coming up on the end of 2015. I had high hopes of getting more finished this year but all things considered, things are moving along. It shouldn’t be too long and our new garage with workshop will be finished…
NGC 1333
Taken 12/5/2015 from Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina. Sky quality was a little hazy early on and deteriorated by morning. SQM readings started around 21.1 and topped out around 21.2 mag This has always been a favorite object but I have…
NGC 7331 & Stephan’s Quintet
NGC 7822 – Narrowband
Observatory Site Status Update November 2015
Observatory site prep is still moving along slowly. Pulling stumps is a long process but I’m getting there. At least the summer heat is behind me but the limited daylight is making it hard to get much done on the…
Updated Observatory Site Horizon Survey
I’ve cut a few more trees and have updated the horizon survey accordingly. The local light domes for Clinton and Oak Ridge are easily visible in the East and South.
Pickett State Park and Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area – Silver-tier International Dark Sky Park
Earlier this year (2015) Pickett / Pogue State Park was named a Silver Tier IDA dark site. I haven’t made it up for a night of astrophotography yet but have been wanting to visit the area and scope it out…
2015 Tennessee Fall Star Gaze @ Fall Creek Falls (9/4/2015 – 9/5/2015)
This was my first visit to Fall Creek Falls for the 2015 Tennessee Fall Star Gaze. It’s a casual get together held at a clearing within walking distance from the Inn. The site is reasonably dark measuring 21.42+ on Friday…
Norris Star Party – 8/8/2015
It ended up being a gorgeous night at Norris. The MW was clearly visible and seeing looked reasonably good just based on the naked eye twinkle criteria. I was able to gather a paltry 3x20min of O[III] and 2x20min of…