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Archive for August, 2009

First Notes

 

It’s been hot and hazy for the past week and the skies are murky at best. After a long hiatuses, I’m anxious to get back out under the stars. Since the skies are a bit hazy, I stroll outside around 10:00pm local time and behold, the skies are a little better than I thought.

Since photography is another passion of mine, I always wanted to try shooting the night sky. I don’t know why I haven’t tried it before, just busy I guess. So, I grab my DSLR and tripod and make my first attempt at astrophotography.

Not knowing what to expect, I setup my camera in manual mode, a Pentax*ist DS (a 6.1 megapixel camera) with an smc Pentax-DA 18 – 55mm lens set at 24 mm;  f/4.0; ISO 3200; tungsten white balance.

First test - image 1

First test - image 1

 
And this is what I got. It’s just a random shot of the night sky here in Harleysville PA where I live. The exposure for this shot is 8.9 seconds at f/4.0, 24mm, ISO 3200.
You can view this and four additional images in the First Attempt gallery.
Click for Harleysville, Pennsylvania Forecast
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Upcoming Astronomy Events

French Creek Star Party

July 31, 2010.
Hosted by the Chesmont Astronomical Society. Visit www.chesmontastro.org for more info.

STAR FEST 2010

August 7, 2010
Hosted by the Chesmont Astronomical Society.
Visit www.chesmontastro.org for more information.

STELLA DELLA VALLEY XXIV

October 8 - 10, 2010
Hosted by the Bucks-Mont Astronomical Association
Visit www.bma2.org/Sdv.html for more information.

ASTROBLAST 2010

August 10 - 15, 2010
Hosted by the Oil Region Astronomical Society. For more information visit www.oras.org/astrblst.htm

BLACK FOREST STAR PARTY 2010

Hosted by the Central Pennsylvania Observers at Cherry Springs State Park. For more information visit www.bfsp.org/starparty

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