CPOD 8.2.12: Plato Moon Crater

This image was shot in San Diego, CA on July 27, 2012, of the 101 km wide Moon crater Plato. It was taken using a DMK 21AU618.AS camera attached to a Celestron CPC 800 8" SCT fitted with a Tele Vue 2.5x Powermate and Astronomik #742 Planet filter. The video was captured with IC Capture.AS 2.2 and the 1002 frames were stacked using RegiStax 6.1.

(Astrophotographer Jim Pontarelli via Astronomy Cameras Blog)

CPOD 8.1.12: Andromeda (M31) From Your Backyard

The Andromeda Galaxy is a spiral galaxy approximately 2.5 million light-years from Earth in the Andromeda constellation. Also known as Messier 31, M31, or NGC 224, it is often referred to as the Great Andromeda Nebula in older texts. (Wikipedia)

This stunning image was taken by astronomer Bob Anderson from his home in Southern England. Remarkably, this was Bob's first attempt at imaging M31, here are the details:

'Scope: TEC 140
Mount: ASA DDM60 Pro mount - an awesome bit of kit as even the 1,500 second subs were unguided!
Camera: FLI ML16803
Subs: 5 x 1,000 seconds using each of Astrodon Tru-Balance RGB filters plus 10 x 1,500 seconds using an Astrodon 3nm Ha filter
Software: PixInsight and Photoshop CS6

You can see more info on on his image and processing over at StarGazers Lounge.

Cosmic Pic of the Day 7.31.12: Full Solar Disc

Image via AstroBin from astronomer Andrew Kwon.

This is the first in what I hope to be a daily "Cosmic" picture posting. The goal is to feature images  from amateur astronomers, but could (and will) include anything.

Incredible Jupiter Occultation

Here is an incredible Moon/Jupiter occultation using a Skywatcher 12" Dobsonian. I don't know much about the astronomer that shot the footage, other than his YouTube page, but I do know that it is awesome.

(via Google+)

The Milky Way Over Mount Everest

(Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/coolbiere/6884815414/sizes/m/in/photostream/)

Astrophotographer Shoots Incredible Time Lapse Montage of the Milky Way

Being able to view the Milky Way with any kind of clarity is a sight like no other - being able to get a time lapse video is even better. That is exactly what astrophotographer Harley Grady has been doing the past couple years and the results are astounding. Below is a montage video that brings together many of his videos into something that can only be described as cosmic bliss.

Harley uses the following equipment:

• Canon 5D MK II
• Canon 24-105mm f2.8
• Canon 16-35mm f2.8

If you are interested in how he makes his videos, Harley also posted a quick tutorial on how you can get started.

Harley also won The Royal Observatory’s Best Newcomer Award for his shot titled “Zodiacal Light on the Farm”.

If you are as impressed with his work as I am, be sure and check him out on YouTube, Flicker, and Vimeo.