MOTTO: “Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the more often and steadily we reflect upon them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me” Immanuel Kant - "Critique of Practical Reason"

Amateaur Astronomy

Observations of Deep Sky Objectes from Poland, particularly from outskirts of Opawica village in "Opawskie Mountains" (Gory Opawskie) at Polish-Czech border, casual astro-photography etc.

Click here to see the observation memoirs, observation site & my astro-equipment

February 2020, Alnitak, Flame Nebula and Horse Head, Canon EOS 60Da and Samyang 135mm, i-optron CEM 40EC.


July 2020, Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE, Canon EOS 60Da


September 2018, M31, M32 & M110, Canon EOS 60Da 13x4min EF-L 200 f/2.8 at f/4 ISO400 i-optron CEM 25ES.


August 2020, M31, M32 & M110, Canon EOS 60Da 53x3min Photoline 90mm/450mm ISO400 i-optron CEM 25ES.

Astro-journeys:

Click here for some astro impressions from a journey to South-Western Australia, March 2005

Click here for some photographs from a visit at a Star Party on Negev Desert, March 31st 2006

Stargazing in South Africa (in Polish)

Click here for a short report from a journey to see the solar eclipse of July 22nd 2009 in China

Some astro-photos. Click the thumbnails below to see the pictures.

23h32m, January 13th, 2015. Comet: C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) - passing near Pleyades & Hyades, 2 minute guided with Sky Tracker picture taken by EOS 5D at ISO 800 & 1600 (EF 2.8/24mm & EF 2.8/200mm lenses).

 

Moon eclipse of December 10th, 2011 during afternoon twilight (16-17) : EOS 50D & Canon zoom, 70-300mm. The partly eclipsed Moon could be seen between the towers of Opole Cathedral.



Comet Holmes as seen from Negev Desert (Beer Menucha junction). December 6th 2007 - Canon EOS 30D with Sigma 1.4/30mm stopped down to 2.8, ISO1600, exposure 15s).


Click here to see the above image posted on the web site of the Sky & Telescope Magazine on December 2007 and two other of my pictures in the S&T Photo Gallery


Astro night in Opawica with Andrzej Czainski. First trial of prime focus, tracked picture (June 15/16 - Canon EOS 350D with ED80, focus 600mm, ISO800, tracking on SkyViewPro mount, exposure about 60s).

Astro nights of mid May 2007 : (1) Moon over the forest (EOS 30D & Sigma zoom, 70-300mm at 70mm f/4). (2) "Think of a wish of your choice": A meteorite caught near Polaris, (EOS 30D & Sigma 30mm, at f/3.5 aperture & 30s exposure (ISO1600). (3) "Lost in space" M51-Whirlpoll galaxy, (EOS 30D & Sonnar 135mm f/3.5, 4min tracked exposure) (4) M51-Whirlpool galaxy cropped out from previous picture


Forests of Opawica in the moonlight with rising Milky way (early morning in Spring/Easter 2007 - Canon EOS 300D with 10-22mm lense @10mm, ISO1600, aperture=3.5, exposure=30s).

Three pictures of partial Sun eclipse from May 31st, 2003. Pictures taken in 30 seconds succession during sunrise near Opole town (Bolko island) (Olympus UltraZoom)

   


Venus transit of June 8th 2004, taken on 400ASA Kodak film, using Practica MT-L & 4" MTO Maksutov.


Star Trails in Opawica.


M31, M32 & M110 in Andromeda, 20x2minutes exposures of Canon EOS 30D (ISO800) with EF L f/2.8 200mm guided piggyback on SkyViewPro. The first picture presents the whole view field of EF 200mm f/2.8 while the second one is a crop of the first one. The pictures were linked together using IRIS software and processed later by PhotoShop

   


M82 & M81 in Ursa Major & two other galaxies, 4min guided piggyback on SkyViewPro. Canon EOS300D with 135mm/3.5 (Sonar) lense (400ISO). Second picture displays the zoomed area while the third one identifies the deep sky objects.

   


Fall 2004, Waining Moon: Orion ED 80 & Canon EOS Digital Rebel/300D.


January 8th 2005. Two pictures of comet Machholz passing near Pleyades, 5 minute guided picture taken by Canon EOS Digital Rebel/300D at ISO400 (Sonnar 3.5/135mm lense).

 


May 5th 2006. 5 minute guided photograph of comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, taken by Canon EOS Digital Rebel/300D at ISO400 (Sonnar 3.5/135mm lense).