Northern Lights Under the Moonlight above Alqueva Lake at 38º Latitude, Portugal
Captured on 10th of October, 2024, the panoramic image reveals an impressive display of northern lights in the presence of moonlight as seen from my location at 38º in Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal. I and Apolónia, we both could see them with naked eye around midnight. The weather was not perfect and a bit cloudy, but it ended up creating an even more dramatic and spectacular display over Monsaraz Castle and lake Alqueva.
PT: Captada em 10 de Outubro de 2024, a imagem panorâmica revela uma impressionante exibição das auroras boreais na presença do luar, vistas a partir da minha localização a 38º no Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal. Eu e a Apolónia pudemos inclusivamente observá-las a olho nu de forma subtil, por volta da meia-noite. O tempo não estava perfeito e um pouco nublado, mas acabou por criar uma exibição ainda mais dramática e espectacular sobre o Castelo de Monsaraz e o Grande Lago Alqueva.
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2 Nights Comprised in One Epic Scene to Reveal the Show of Geminids Meteor Shower 2023
The image is the result of a fair amount of work while star aligning and combining 10 folders of hundreds of Gigabytes from different cameras that I setup for 2 consecutive nights, during Geminids meteor shower 2023. I caught more than 100 meteors in total from the brightest ones, to the faintest streaks. The composite shows the Radiant located in Gemini constellation, near the blueish star Castor, the single point in the sky where all meteors seems to appear due to the perspective. The background is a panoramic image made of single untracked shots where a starry sky shows the path of Winter Milky Way, full of beautiful bright constellations and nebulae, shining in reddish hues from Hydrogen emission. At left, is one of my students enjoying the starry sky near Alqueva lake while all the sky is fulfilled by meteors. The image was captured from Dark Sky® Alqueva, in Portugal. I have more images to share with different projections, as well as a VR360 scene. So stay tuned and don’t forget to subscribe my newsletter in the right top corner of the Menu. Hope you enjoy it!
PT: A imagem é o resultado de muito trabalho e que envolveu o alinhamento de estrelas e combinação de 10 pastas de centenas de Gigabites, proveniente de diferentes câmaras que configurei para registarem o céu por 2 noites consecutivas, durante a chuva de meteoros Geminídeas de 2023. Captei mais de 100 meteoros no total, desde os mais brilhantes até aos mais ténues e subtis. A composição mostra assim o Radiante localizado na constelação de Gémeos, próximo da estrela azulada Castor, o ponto singular no céu de onde todos os meteoros aparentam radiar por uma questão de perspectiva. O céu estrelado em pano de fundo, é resultado de um panorama de disparos únicos e sem seguimento e mostra o caminho da Via Láctea de Inverno, repleta de lindas constelações brilhantes e nebulosas avermelhadas devido à emissão de hidrogénio, enquanto todo o céu é preenchido por meteoros. À esquerda, está uma das minhas alunas de um workshop privado a apreciar o céu estrelado perto do lago Alqueva. A imagem foi captada no Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal. Tenho mais imagens para compartilhar com diferentes projeções, além de um cenário em VR360. Assim fiquem atentos e não se esqueçam de assinar a minha newsletter no canto superior direito do Menu. Espero que gostem!
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4 Nights Comprised in One Epic Scene to Reveal the Show of Perseids Meteor Shower 2023
The image is the result of a fair amount of work while star aligning and combining 8 folders of 300 GB from different cameras that I setup for 4 consecutive nights, during Perseids meteor shower 2023. I caught exactly 100 meteors in total from the brightest ones, to the faintest streaks. The composite shows the Radiant located in Perseus constellation, the single point in the sky where all meteors seems to appear due to the perspective. The background starry sky shows the path of Milky Way, as well as the Zodiacal light shining above Pleiades star cluster, while all the sky is fulfilled by meteors. The image was captured from Monte de Palaios, during our event at Dark Sky® Alqueva, in Portugal. I have more images to share with different projections, as well as a VR360 scene. So stay tuned and don’t forget to subscribe my newsletter.
PT: A imagem é o resultado de muito trabalho e que envolveu o alinhamento de estrelas e combinação de 8 pastas de 300 GB, proveniente de diferentes câmaras que configurei para registarem o céu por 4 noites consecutivas, durante a chuva de meteoros Perseidas de 2023. Captei exactamente 100 meteoros no total, desde os mais brilhantes até aos mais ténues e subtis. A composição mostra assim o Radiante localizado na constelação do Perseu, o ponto singular no céu de onde todos os meteoros aparentam radiar devido por uma questão de perspectiva. O céu estrelado em pano de fundo, mostra o caminho da Via Láctea bem como a luz zodiacal brilhando acima do aglomerado de estrelas das Pleiades, enquanto todo o céu é preenchido por meteoros. A imagem foi captada no Monte de Palaios, durante o nosso evento dedicado às Perseidas 2023 no Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal. Tenho mais imagens para compartilhar com diferentes projeções, além de um cenário em VR360. Assim fiquem atentos e não se esqueçam de assinar a minha newsletter.
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A Tree, a Man and the Mesmerising Presence of our Cosmic Home
Feeling blessed to live so close to Dark Sky® Alqueva reserve where I can easily reach places like this, places that I love and where pristine skies are still possible to see. On this particular night taken during one of my workshops at the end of Summer, the airglow was visible and painted the background sky with greenish hues. In front of the airglow, a few high clouds announce the proximity of Winter, while Milky Way is straight up to the Zenith, the core is getting low and close to the horizon and in a few weeks no longer will be visible until next Summer. In the foreground, my silhouette as a stargazer stands at the side of a lonely wonderful tree which rises leafy before the majesty presence of our cosmic home.
PT: Sinto-me abençoada por viver tão perto do Dark Sky® Alqueva onde posso chegar facilmente a lugares como este, lugares que me apaixonam e onde ainda é possível disfrutar de um céu pristino. Nesta noite em particular, que decorreu durante um dos meus workshops no final do verão, o airglow era visível e pintava o céu de fundo com tons esverdeados. Diante do airglow, algumas nuvens altas anunciam a proximidade do Inverno, enquanto a Via Láctea sobe em direcção ao zénite, o núcleo vai ficando baixo e próximo ao horizonte e em algumas semanas não será mais visível até ao próximo Verão. Em primeiro plano, está a minha silhueta enquanto observador de estrelas, lado a lado com uma árvore solitária mas que se ergue frondosa diante a grandeza desta paisagem cósmica.
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Milky Way with Scorpius and a Red Eclipsed Super Moon
A panoramic scene of 4 singles images captured with a 70mm lens and a Vixen Polarie U tracking mount, shows the moment of totality, when a Super Full Moon decreases its lights and starts to shine in reddish hues for being under the Earth shadow cone. When this happens, a dark starry sky like Alqueva, can show the magnificent presence of Milky Way galaxy at the same time we can enjoy an eclipsed moon. But another yellow-orange bright scource of light is visible in the scene, this light belongs to Antares, a super giant red star located in the heart of Scorpius constellation, which fullfils the entire background scene. The image was captured at 5h AM, when the moon was at about 12º above the horizon of Mina de São Domingos, in Mértola, Dark Sky© Alqueva Reserve, Portugal. For this shot I’ve used a Canon 6D at ISO1250, aperture of f/2.8 and 25 seconds exposure.
PT: Um cenário panorâmico de 4 imagens (single) captadas com uma focal de 70mm e uma montagem Vixen Polarie U, revela o momento da totalidade, quando uma Super Lua Cheia diminui a sua intensidade luminosa e começou a brilhar em tons de vermelho por se encontrar sob a influência do cone de sombra da Terra. Quando isso acontece, um céu estrelado e escuro como o do Alqueva, pode mostrar a magnífica presença da Via Láctea ao mesmo tempo que podemos desfrutar de uma lua eclipsada. Mas outra fonte de luz brilhante de um amarelo-alaranjado é visível nesta cena nocturna, esta luz pertence a Antares, uma estrela supergigante vermelha localizada no coração da constelação do Escorpião, que preenche assim toda a imagem em pano de fundo. A imagem foi captada às 5h da manhã, quando a lua se situava a cerca de 12º acima do horizonte da Mina de São Domingos, em Mértola, Reserva Dark Sky© Alqueva, Portugal. Para esta foto foi usada uma Canon 6D com ISO1250, abertura de f/2.8 e uma exposição única de 25 segundos.
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A Girl Stargazing Perseids With a Bright Meteor Spotted
The brightest meteor I’ve ever captured in many years and probably the most prominent from Perseids meteor shower of 2021. Caught in a single frame crossing high in the sky between Deneb and Altair star from Summer Triangle. It was a fast and bright meteor featuring a very long tail of about 36º (measured from star Rho Cygni up to Alpha Sagittae), with a half-green and half-pink violet hue due to an elevated concentration of chemical elements like magnesium (green) and calcium (pink-violet), typical in meteors from Perseids. The tail ends up with a little explosion visible as a white bluish bright flash. As soon as we saw the meteor firing, I took another two shots up to the horizon- since my camera was pointing to the zenith – this time with my girlfriend framed on it while pointing high in the same region of the sky where the meteor has crossed. The final image is a vertical panorama of single shots taken at approximately the same time.
PT: O meteoro mais brilhante que já capturei em muitos anos e provavelmente o mais proeminente da chuva de meteoros Perseidas de 2021. Captado em um único disparo enquanto brilhava alto no céu entre a estrela Deneb e a estrela Altair do Triângulo de Verão. Foi um meteoro rápido e brilhante com uma cauda muito longa de cerca de 36º (medida da estrela Rho Cygni até Alpha Sagittae), com uma tonalidade violeta meio verde e meio rosa devido a uma concentração elevada de elementos químicos como o magnésio (verde ) e cálcio (rosa-violeta), típico em meteoros de Perseidas. A cauda termina com uma pequena explosão visível como um flash branco azulado brilhante. Assim que vimos o meteoro rompendo o céu com um flash brilhante, fiz mais duas fotos até ao horizonte – já que a minha câmara apontava para o zénite – desta vez com a silhueta da minha cara metade presente na imagem, enquanto apontava para o alto na mesma região do céu onde o meteoro caiu. A imagem final é um panorama vertical de fotos captadas aproximadamente ao mesmo tempo.
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A Vertical Nightscape Panorama Reveals the Show of Perseids Meteor Shower
A nightscape vertical panorama made of single shots, reveals the Summer Milky Way shinning high and bright against a starry night sky during Perseids meteor shower, above the mountains and lake of Pampilhosa da Serra. In the background, Summer Triangle highlights the center of the image, while the dusty core of Milky Way galaxy is visible above the mountain range. The best meteors captured during the shower and visible on the scene were star aligned with accuracy of a sub-pixel to help reveal the overall show with a composite of the Radiant, the single point in the night sky where all these shooting stars seems to appear.
PT: Um panorama vertical de fotos individuais revela o caminho da Via Láctea de Verão brilhando alto contra um céu nocturno estrelado durante a chuva de meteoros Perseidas, acima das montanhas e lago da Pampilhosa da Serra. Ao fundo, o Triângulo de Verão destaca-se no centro da imagem, enquanto o núcleo empoeirado da Via Láctea é visível acima das montanhas. Os meteoros mais brilhantes captados durante a chuva e visíveis na imagem foram alinhados com a precisão de um sub-pixel para ajudar a revelar na composição, o Radiante, o único ponto no céu noturno onde todas essas estrelas cadentes aparentam aparecer.
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Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxy Shinning above Lagoa do Fogo in Azores
Captured literally in middle of Atlantic Ocean, in the island of São Miguel, Azores, Portugal, the image reveals a wide vertical panorama taken around midnight from Lagoa do Fogo (Lake of Fire).The blue lake is located at 575 meters above the sea level – it is about 2 km long and 1 km wide – filling the ground of an extinct crater, whose caldera was formed during an eruption in 1563. In the background, a winter sky shows the white light of Milky Way above the mountains while the faint diffuse oblong shape of Andromeda Galaxy is shinning high in the center. Bluish star cluster of Pleiades, is visible above the horizon while Summer Triangle is touching the upper edge of this panoramic scene.
PT: Captada literalmente em pleno Oceano Atlântico, na ilha de São Miguel, Açores, Portugal, a imagem revela um amplo panorama vertical captado por volta da meia-noite a partir da Lagoa do Fogo. Esta lagoa azul está localizada a 575 metros acima do nível do mar – tem cerca de 2 km de comprimento e 1 km de largura – enchendo o solo de uma cratera extinta, cuja caldeira foi formada durante uma erupção em 1563. Em pano de fundo, um céu de Inverno mostra a luz súbtil e esbranquiçada da Via Láctea erguendo-se acima das montanhas enquanto uma forma oblonga difusa proveniente da Galáxia de Andrómeda brilha ao alto no centro da imagem. O aglomerado azulado das Pleiades é visível acima do horizonte enquanto o Triângulo do Verão se desvanece no extremo superior deste cenário panorâmico.
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Milky Way Rising above Alqueva in a Panoramic Scene
The image shows the Arch of Milky Way rising during my annual astrophotography workshop held in May. The group of busy photographers are enjoying the wonders of the sky in the Northern Hemisphere while shooting at the same time, in Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Portugal. Summer Triangle, an asterism composed by the stars Vega (from Lyra constellation), Deneb (from Cygnus), and Altair (from Aquila), are visible relatively low and close to the left center of this panoramic scene. Below Deneb, a bright red emission nebula known as North America, is visible in violet hues, while in the opposite direction of the sky, the core of Milky Way galaxy is featuring many more red emission nebulae coming from deep sky objects like Lagoon, Trifid or Eagle nebula. In the foreground, the calm water of Alqueva lake works as a perfect mirror, reflecting the bright colors of the stars and the dusty center of the galaxy.
PT: A imagem mostra o Arco da Via Láctea enquanto nasce e se torna visível durante o mês de Maio, durante o meu workshop anual de astrofotografia no Alqueva. O grupo de fotógrafos atarefados por entre as luzes das câmaras e dos leds vermelhos, aprecia as maravilhas do céu acima da Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva. O Triângulo de Verão, um asterismo composto pelas estrelas Vega (da constelação Lyra), Deneb (constelação Cygnus) e Altair (constelação Aquila), é visível relativamente baixo e próximo ao centro esquerdo desta cena panorâmica. Abaixo de Deneb, uma nebulosa de emissão vermelha brilhante conhecida como Nebulosa América do Norte, é visível em tons de violeta, enquanto na direção oposta do céu, o núcleo da Via Láctea revela muitas mais nebulosas de emissão vermelhas provenientes de objetos do céu profundo como a Lagoa, a Trífide ou Nebulosa da Águia. Em primeiro plano, as águas calmas da Grande Lago Alqueva funcionam como um espelho perfeito, reflectindo as cores brilhantes e vibrantes das estrelas e do centro empoeirado da galáxia.
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You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
Looking Deep Into our Milky Way Galaxy from Ojos Del Salar – All Sky and VR 360º Scene
An all sky view and 360º Virtual Reality scene, features the path of Milky Way with its core shining high in the sky of Atacama Desert. This full dome mosaic comprises 27 still images photographed from Ojos Del Salar, two small lagoons standing close each other forming like a pair of eyes point high up. Located in the middle of nowhere, in Atacama Desert, they can be found almost 30km from San Pedro de Atacama, in the northern part of Chile. The rocky desert of Atacama, sometimes reminds me of the reddish martian soil. On July, in the Southern Hemisphere the core of Milky Way galaxy stands very high in the sky, touching the Zenith this time of the year. The center of the image features the dusty core of the galaxy, with a special guest visible, planet Jupiter is also there, shinning very close to Rho Ophiuchi colorful cloud complex. In the opposite direction, the faint band from Zodiacal light in crossing the entire half of the scene. In this full dome view, the small lagoon is visible in the right side of the celestial sphere, full of reflected stars, stands up in the scene like the shape of a crescent Moon. After the iconic unusual portrait showing what could be a big “Martian Eye” looking deep to our Milky Way Galaxy, published as APOD on April 2020, I decided to create a Virtual Reality 360º image of this same scene, which you can experience in full resolution using your desktop, or smartphone with gyroscope. A great “in loco” experience can be achieved if you wear a VR glasses.
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Buy a Fine Art Print or Wall Decor of this Image – Make your order Now!
You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
Milky Way All Sky and VR 360º Night Experience from Death Valley
An all sky view and 360º Virtual Reality scene, features the path of Milky Way with its core shining above the horizon as seen from Death Valley National Park, in California, US. This full dome mosaic comprises 15 still images photographed from Zabriskie Point. The Milky Way was high in the Sky during that time (August) and the air temperature at midnight, was 41 centrigrade degrees. In the top center, a blue bright star Vega, from Lyra constellation, is forming an asterism well known as the “Summer Triangle” with stars Deneb (from Cygnus) and Altair (from Aquila). Close to the horizon, above the Amargosa mountain range, the core of Milky Way galaxy is shinning with its bright dust, and immersed in, are visible many emission nebulae featuring a reddish pink hue. Super giant star Antares, is the yellowish bright light at the right side of the galaxy core, visible among the “Dark River”, a brown dust lane which spans about 100 light years, and visually connects Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex to the center of the galaxy. You can experience in full resolution using your desktop, or smartphone with gyroscope. A great “in loco” experience can be achieved if you wear a VR glasses VR glasses.
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Buy a Fine Art Print or Wall Decor of this Image – Make your order Now!
You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
A Wide Milky Way Scene Above the Golden Fields of Alentejo
A wide vertical panorama shows the golden colors of Alentejo farms, in the darkest skies of Mértola in Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, a perfect scenario to enjoy the beauty of the night nature, with the Milky Way immersed in a deep silence only achievable under true darkness. Saturn and Jupiter are the brightest “stars” shining at the left edge.
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Buy a Fine Art Print or Wall Decor of this Image – Make your order Now!
You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
Milky Way Scene above the Official Observatory of Dark Sky® Alqueva in Cumeada Village
The image shows a wide mosaic scene of the Official Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory as seen from inside to outside. Located in the small village of Cumeada, near Reguengos city, in Alentejo, Portugal, the area comprises a recovered building with some history from an old primary school adapted to receive two roll-off roof observatories equipped with cutting-edge telescopes for visual astronomical observations and for astrophotography purposes. Dark Sky@ Alqueva, was since 2011 the First Starlight Tourism Destination in the World and one of the first to successfully implement and develop the concept known as Astrotourism, being awarded in 2019 with a “Tourism Oscar” from World Travel Awards, as Europe´s Responsible Tourism Award 2019. A dedicated team is permanently making large efforts to change minds, sensitising the problem of light pollution and trying along with authorities to improve the quality of the night sky and life in all forms, to achieve a better street illumination. As result, Cumeada village has only 70 street lights, all of them directly pointing to the ground, using low power and a color temperature of 2700 kelvin. The ideia of Astrotourism, is not to create a total blackout on the villages or cities, but instead is to showing a positive impact on society inspiring the will of travelling for a major purpose. With this measures, is possible to respect the night sky and all the surrounding needs from locals, while enjoying the comfort of modernity such as good restaurants and rural hotels to rest, as well as wonderful night activities which is can be held under a pristine and protected sky, such as stargazing with naked eye or telescopes. This complex mosaic shows in the background the beautiful summer arch of Milky Way galaxy above the village and Observatory, revealing that is possible to clearly distinguish the Milky Way arch in all of its splendour, as well as the street itself, roads and surroundings, meaning that people can feel secure and peaceful at the same time. This procedure had a huge impact in the night sky quality that is constantly monitored with a Sky Quality Meter registering an average measurement of SQM: 21.40 mag/arcsec^2.
PT: A imagem revela uma ampla cena em mosaico do Observatório Oficial Dark Sky® Alqueva, visto de dentro para fora. Localizado na pequena vila de Cumeada, perto da cidade de Reguengos, no Alentejo, Portugal, a área compreende um edifício histórico recuperado de uma antiga escola primária do Estado Novo, adaptado para receber dois observatórios de tecto retráctil equipados com telescópios de ponta para observações astronómicas visuais e para fins de astrofotografia. O Dark Sky @ Alqueva, desde 2011, foi o Primeiro Destino Starlight do Mundo e um dos primeiros a implementar e desenvolver com sucesso o conceito denominado Astroturismo, tendo sido premiado em 2019 com um “Oscar do Turismo” nos aclamados World Travel Awards, como “Europe´s Responsible Tourism Award 2019″. Uma equipa dedicada está permanentemente a fazer grandes esforços para mudar as mentes, sensibilizando o problema da poluição luminosa e tentando junto das autoridades competentes, melhorar a qualidade do céu noturno e da vida em todas as suas formas, para obter assim uma iluminação mais saudável e eficiente das ruas públicas. Como resultado, a vila de Cumeada possui apenas 70 luminárias, todos elas apontando directamente para o solo, usando pouca energia e uma temperatura de cor de 2700 kelvin. A ideia do astroturismo não é criar um blackout total nas aldeias ou cidades, mas sim mostrar um impacto positivo na sociedade, inspirando a vontade de viajar para um objetivo maior. Com estas medidas, é possível respeitar o céu noturno e todas as necessidades dos habitantes locais, enquanto se desfruta do conforto da modernidade, com bons restaurantes e hotéis rurais para descansar, além de actividades noturnas maravilhosas que podem ser realizadas sob um céu pristino e agradável, como observar as estrelas a olho nu ou com telescópios. Este mosaico complexto mostra em pano de fundo o belo arco de verão da Via Láctea acima da vila e do Observatório, revelando que é possível distinguir claramente o arco da Via Láctea em todo o seu esplendor, bem como a própria rua, as estradas e arredores, o que significa que as pessoas podem se sentir seguras e em paz ao mesmo tempo. Este procedimento teve um enorme impacto na qualidade do céu noturno da região da sede, que é constantemente monitorizado com um Medidor da Qualidade do Céu (SQM) registando uma medida média de SQM: 21,45 mag/arcsec^2.
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Buy a Fine Art Print or Wall Decor of this Image – Make your order Now!
You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
A Galactic Profile Scene of Our Own Milky Way Galaxy as Seen from the Darkest Skies of Atacama and Alqueva
A wide panoramic view comprising single exposures between 15 and 25 seconds, captured from the southern hemisphere dark skies of Atacama Desert, in Chile, and northern hemisphere dark skies of Alqueva, in Portugal, reveals a galactic profile scene of our own Milky Way galaxy. At a distance of 26,000 light-years from the dusty core, this panorama is covering approximately 239º from edge to edge. With a visible diameter of about 100,000 light-years and 2,000 light-years thick, is the second-largest galaxy in the Local Group. ESA’s Gaia mission, a dedicated project to accurately map the Milky Way in three dimensions, it is giving us new data and the most detailed map of our galactic home ever made from space, and has been refining our knowledge about this incredible spiral cosmic spaceship. On this large view captured from our planet Earth, we can see above the center bulge obscured by interstellar dust, the bright light of planet Jupiter. Beyond that, glowing nebulae, dark dust clouds and crowded starfields are all spread along the fertile galactic plane. While the lower left view of this panorama shows our neighbour spiral galaxy of Andromeda, located at approximately 2.5 million light-years from us – knowing that one day they will probably collide or mixing together – on the upper right side of the Milky Way arm, another apparently bright light belongs not to a star, but to Omega Centauri, the largest globular cluster in the Milky Way, with a diameter of roughly 150 light-years. On the left side of the image, the well know summer triangle is very well visible, being formed by Vega (in Lyra) – the brightest star above the left galaxy arm – and Deneb (in Cygnus), visible close to the eye-catching red emission North America Nebula, while Altair star (from Aquila) is visible below the arm and “towards” the galaxy core.
PT: Uma ampla vista panorâmica com exposições únicas entre 15 e 25 segundos, captadas a partir dos céus escuros do hemisfério sul no deserto de Atacama, no Chile, e a partir dos céus escuros de Alqueva no hemisfério norte, em Portugal, revela um cenário do perfil galáctico da nossa própria galáxia, a Via Láctea. A uma distância de 26.000 anos-luz do núcleo empoeirado, este panorama cobre aproximadamente 239º de ponta a ponta. Com um diâmetro visível de cerca de 100.000 anos-luz e 2.000 anos-luz de espessura, é a segunda maior galáxia do Grupo Local. A missão Gaia da ESA, um projeto dedicado a mapear com precisão a Via Láctea em três dimensões, fornece novos dados e o mapa mais detalhado do nosso lar galáctico já alguma vez feito a partir do espaço, e aprimorando o nosso conhecimento sobre esta incrível nave espacial cósmica espiralada. Nesta visão panorâmica de larga escala, captada a partir do nosso planeta Terra, podemos ver acima do bojo (zona de poeira central) obscurecido pela poeira interestelar, a luz brilhante do planeta Júpiter. Mais além, nebulosas brilhantes, nuvens escuras de poeira e campos estelares ricos, espalham-se pelo fértil plano galáctico. Enquanto a vista inferior esquerda deste panorama mostra a galáxia espiral vizinha de Andrómeda, localizada a aproximadamente 2,5 milhões de anos-luz de nós – sabendo que um dia estas provavelmente colidirão ou se misturarão – no lado superior direito do braço da Via Láctea, outra luz aparentemente brilhante se destaca, não pertencendo a uma estrela, mas sim a Omega Centauri, o maior aglomerado globular da Via Láctea, com um diâmetro de aproximadamente 150 anos-luz de diâmetro. No lado esquerdo da imagem, o conhecido triângulo de verão encontra-se bem destacado, sendo formado por Vega (Lyra) – a estrela mais brilhante acima do braço esquerdo da galáxia – e Deneb (Cygnus), visível próximo da charmosa nebulosa de emissão vermelha América do Norte, enquanto a estrela Altair (Aquila) é visível abaixo do braço e “em direção” ao núcleo da galáxia.
A Close-up of the Galactic Center
Below is a close-up view of the Galactic Center with an annotated version which reveals the main deep sky objects. Read the entire photo article here.
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Milky Way Shines in a Mountain Scene Over Picos de Europa
A panoramic scene captured in June 2015 during an expedition to Picos de Europa National Park, in Northern Spain, reveals a perfect “half circle” of Milky Way touching the Zenith. While on the ground is visible a lonely chalet located in the middle of the mountains, in the top center of the sky, a bright star is shinning in blue hues. Vega, from Lyra constellation, is forming an asterism well know as the “Summer Triangle” with stars Deneb (from Cygnus) and Altair (from Aquila). At the left side – in the beginning of the Milky Way – an oblong and diffuse shape belongs to Andromeda Galaxy while in the opposite direction of the sky, the core of Milky Way galaxy is well positioned above the horizon featuring the colorful cosmic dust which comprises many deep sky wonders like emission nebulae, dark or reflection nebulae, as well as many globular star clusters.
PT: Uma ampla imagem panorâmica captada em Junho de 2015 durante uma expedição ao Parque Nacional Picos de Europa, no Norte da Espanha, revela um perfeito “semicírculo” da Via Láctea tocando o Zénite. Enquanto na paisagem terrestre é visível um chalet solitário localizado no meio das montanhas, no centro do céu uma estrela brilhante reluz em tons de azul. Vega, da constelação Lyra, forma assim um asterismo conhecido como “Triângulo do Verão”, com as estrelas Deneb (de Cygnus) e Altair (de Aquila). No lado esquerdo – no início da Via Láctea – uma forma oblonga de luz difusa pertence à galáxia de Andrómeda, enquanto na direção oposta do céu, o núcleo da nossa Via Láctea está bem posicionado acima do horizonte, apresentando o colorido pó cósmico que compreende muitas maravilhas do céu profundo, como nebulosas de emissão, nebulosas escuras ou de reflexão, bem como enxames globulares de estrelas longínquas.
Winter Milky Way Shines above a Green Field from Serra d´Ossa
A night scene captured from a green landscape field in Serra d´Ossa, Redondo, Dark Sky® Alqueva, shows an arched path of faint light from the winter Milky Way full of deep sky objects visible as a pale diffuse red/violet colors. From left to right, we can find Sirius, the brightest star in the entire celestial sphere and at the right side, the reddish emission coming from Rosette and Orion Nebula, with Lambda Orionis, Barnard´s Loop, Horse Head and M42 visible. In center of the image, Hyades open cluster are close to Pleiades, or the seven sisters, a small group of bright blueish stars. Immediately above Pleiades, we can find California nebula, a red emission nebula like Heart and Soul nebula, located in the end of Milky Way arm, very close to tree on the right. While Andromeda galaxy is setting behind a small tree in the middle of the image, stars from Ursa Major are shinning near the right edge of this panorama.
PT: Um cenário nocturno captado a partir de um campo verde em plena paisagem da Serra d´Ossa, no Redondo, Dark Sky® Alqueva, mostra o caminho arqueado e ténue da Via Láctea invernal, cheia de objectos do céu profundo visíveis com tonalidades difusas vermelho/violeta. Da esquerda para a direita, podemos encontrar Sirius, a estrela mais brilhante em toda a esfera celeste, seguindo-se a emissão avermelhada proveniente da nebulosa da Roseta e de Orion, onde ainda se destacam alguns objectos como Lambda Orionis, Barnard´s Loop, Horse Head e M42. No centro da imagem, o aglomerado aberto de Hyades fica perto das Pleiades, ou as popularmente designadas Sete Irmãs, um pequeno grupo de estrelas jovens e brilhantes de tonalidade azulada por ainda se encontrarem muito quentes. Imediatamente acima das Pleiades, podemos encontrar a nebulosa da Califórnia, uma nebulosa de emissão avermelhada. De características similares, e visível já quase no final do caminho de luz que representa o braço da Via Láctea, encontram-se a nebulosa do Coração e da Alma, quase a tocar no árvore da direita. Enquanto a Galáxia de Andrómeda se põe por detrás de uma pequena árvore no centre da imagemn, as estrelas da Ursa Maior brilham junto à extremidade direita deste panorama.
A Martian Eye Looks Deep Into our Milky Way Galaxy from Ojos Del Salar
Featured as NASA´s APOD – Astronomy Picture of the Day this unusual portrait is showing what could be a big “Martian Eye” looking deep to our Milky Way Galaxy. Captured originally in landscape format, this mosaic comprises 27 stilll images photographed from Ojos Del Salar, two small lagoons standing close each other forming like a pair of eyes point high up. Located in the middle of nowhere, in Atacama Desert, they can be found almost 30km from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. The rocky desert of Atacama, sometimes reminds me of the redish martian soil. On July, in the Southern Hemisphere the core of Milky Way galaxy stands very high in the sky, touching the Zenith this time of the year.
PT: Destacado como NASA´s APOD – Astronomy Picture of the Day, este retrato incomum revela o que poderia ser um “grande olho marciano”, a observar profundamente a nossa galáxia, a Via Láctea. Captado originalmente em formato de paisagem, este mosaico compreende 27 imagens estáticas fotografadas a partir dos Ojos Del Salar, duas pequenas lagoas próximas uma da outra, formando como que um par de olhos apontados para o alto, algures em pleno deserto de Atacama, a cerca de 30 km de San Pedro de Atacama, no Chile. O deserto rochoso e avermelhado do Atacama, por vezes relembra-me o solo marciano. Em julho, no Hemisfério Sul, o núcleo da Via Láctea encontra-se muito alto no céu, tocando o Zénite nesta época do ano.
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Milky Way Shines Above Pampilhosa da Serra
The image reveals a lovely summer scene where the arch of Milky Way is shinning bright above Pampilhosa da Serra. High in the sky, we can see Vega, from Lyra constellation, forming an asterism well know as the “Summer Triangle” with stars Deneb (from Cygnus) and Altair (from Aquila) located in the center of the photo. Below Deneb, a bright red emission nebula known as North America, is visible in violet hues, while in the opposite direction of the sky, the core of Milky Way galaxy is featuring many more red emission nebulae coming from deep sky objects like Lagoon, Trifid or Eagle nebula. Above Sagittarius constellation and against the galactic dusty center, Jupiter is shinning bright as a white light not farway from horizon. On the ground, a road is conducting our vision up to the infinite, while a few degrees to the left and above the horizon, another neighbour galaxy known as Andromeda, is timidly shinning as a difuse oblong shape.
PT: A imagem revela um cenário de verão encantador onde o brilho da Via Láctea se ergue acima da Pampilhosa da Serra. No alto do céu, podemos ver Vega, da constelação de Lyra, formando um asterismo bem conhecido como o “Triângulo de Verão”, com as estrelas Deneb (do Cisne) e Altair (da Águia) localizadas no centro da foto. Abaixo de Deneb, uma nebulosa de emissão vermelha brilhante conhecida como América do Norte, é visível em tons violetas, enquanto na direção oposta do céu, o núcleo da Via Láctea apresenta muitas nebulosas de emissão vermelha, proveniente de objetos do céu profundo como a Lagoa, Trífida, ou a nebulosa da Águia. Acima da constelação de Sagitário e contra o centro poeirento galáctico, Júpiter brilha como uma luz branca não distante do horizonte. Na paisagem, uma estrada conduz a nossa visão até o infinito, enquanto alguns graus à esquerda e acima do horizonte, outra galáxia vizinha conhecida como Andrómeda, está timidamente brilhando como uma forma difusa e oblonga.
A Spring Milky Way Rises in the Morning Twilight above Castro de Palheiros
The image reveals a panoramic scene of a Spring Milky Way rising in the morning twilight, above Castro de Palheiros, or Fragada of Castro. Located in the Natural Park of Tua Valley, near Mirandela, “is an imposing quartzite ridge that was being carved and built by the people of Murça region, between the beginning of the third millennium BC up to the present”, according to the Interpretative Center of this region. In the background, Vega star from Lyra constellation is visible in the left side of the image, above Cygnus constellation, while in the opposite direction, the supergiant star Antares, from Scorpius constelllation, is shinning in orange.
PT: A imagem revela uma cena panorâmica de uma Via Láctea primaveril a nascer ao crepúsculo matinal, acima de Castro de Palheiros ou Fragada de Castro. Localizada no Parque Natural do Vale do Tua, perto de Mirandela, “é uma imponente crista quartzítica que foi sendo esculpida e construída pelas populações da região de Murça, entre o início do terceiro milénio antes de Cristo até ao presente, segundo o Centro Interpretativo da região. Em pano de fundo, a estrela Vega da constelação Lyra é visível no lado esquerdo da imagem, acima da constelação do Cisne, enquanto na direção oposta, a estrela supergigante Antares, da constelação do Escorpião, brilha numa tonalidade alaranjada.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
A panorama captured with a Nikon D810a | 26mm at f/2,8 | ISO4000 | Exp. 15 secs.
Spica and Arcturus are Shinning in a Starry Sky over Tua Valley
Located between Pombal de Ansiães and the place of S. Lourenço, this belvedere, allow us to enjoy a privileged night scene over the Tua Valley, a magnificent landscape marked by a nice cut of the mountains spread with vineyards, olive trees and cork oaks. Elegant curved lines drawn by Tua River are reflecting the faint light that remains visible from the abandoned old village of São Lourenço. Above the horizon, stars from the small constellation of Corvus are visible, while above them, the bright blue star Spica is shinning in Virgo constellation. In the top center, Arcturus from Bootes, is the brightest star visible on the image. Further to the right edge, we can find the open cluster “Melotte 111” in Coma Berenices.
PT: Localizado entre Pombal de Ansiães e o lugar de S. Lourenço, este miradouro, permite-nos desfrutar de uma noite privilegiada sobre o Vale do Tua, uma magnífica paisagem marcada por montanhas repletas de vinhas, oliveiras e sobreiros. Linhas curvas elegantes desenhadas pelo Rio Tua refletem a luz fraca que permanece visível da antiga vila abandonada de São Lourenço. Acima do horizonte, são visíveis as estrelas da pequena constelação Corvus, enquanto acima dela, a brilhante estrela azul Spica destaca-se na constelação da Virgem. Na parte superior central, Arcturus da constelação Bootes, é a estrela mais brilhante visível na imagem. Seguindo para a extremidade direita da imagem, podemos encontrar o enxame aberto “Melotte 111” em Coma Berenices.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
A vertical panorama captured with a Nikon D810a | 24mm at f/2,8 | ISO3200 | Exp. 20 secs.
The Skyline of Tel Aviv at Night with Saturn, Venus and Jupiter Shinning Bright
Located on the Mediterranean coastline of Israel, Tel Aviv comprises the world’s largest concentration of International Style buildings, including Bauhaus and other related modernist architectural styles. The “White City” of Tel Aviv was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. The image features a morning alignment at the end of astronomical twilight between planets Saturn, Venus and Jupiter, as seen above the skyline of Tel Aviv. The red super giant star Antares, from Scorpius is also visible in the right top corner, being the brightest one on the image, after the main planets.
PT: Localizada na costa mediterrânea de Israel, Tel Aviv compreende a maior concentração mundial de edifícios de estilo internacional, incluindo Bauhaus e outros estilos arquitectónicos modernistas relacionados. A “Cidade Branca” de Tel Aviv, foi classificada como Património Mundial pela UNESCO em 2003. A imagem revela um alinhamento captado no final do crepúsculo astronómico, entre os planetas Saturno, Vénus e Júpiter, visível acima do horizonte de Tel Aviv. A estrela super gigante vermelha Antares pode também ser vista no canto superior direito da imagem, sendo a mais brilhante depois dos planetas principais.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
A panorama of 5 single frames with a Canon 6D | 50mm at f/2,8 | ISO800 | Exp. 1/3 secs.
Morning Planets in the Skyline of Tel Aviv
Located on the Mediterranean coastline of Israel, Tel Aviv comprises the world’s largest concentration of International Style buildings, including Bauhaus and other related modernist architectural styles. The “White City” of Tel Aviv was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. The image features a morning alignment between planets Saturn, Venus and Jupiter above the skyline of Tel Aviv as seen during the morning Twilight. Pluto was also joining the alignment, being only 6º apart below Saturn, but not distinguishable due to the very dim brightness of +14,4 visual magnitude, compared to the background sky from the twilight and our human limit capacity of distinguish stars with no more than +6 magnitude in naked eye. At the right side of the tallest building in the foreground, are also visible the main stars from Scorpius constellation, being the red super giant star Antares – visible in the right top corner – the brightest one on the image, after the main planets.
PT: Localizada na costa mediterrânea de Israel, Tel Aviv compreende a maior concentração mundial de edifícios de estilo internacional, incluindo Bauhaus e outros estilos arquitectónicos modernistas relacionados. A “Cidade Branca” de Tel Aviv, foi classificada como Património Mundial pela UNESCO em 2003. A imagem revela um alinhamento matinal entre os planetas Saturno, Vénus e Júpiter acima do horizonte de Tel Aviv, como visto durante a manhã de Crepúsculo. Plutão também estava se unindo ao alinhamento, ficando apenas 6º abaixo de Saturno, mas não distinguível devido ao brilho muito fraco de magnitude visual de +14,4, comparado ao céu de fundo do crepúsculo e nossa capacidade limite humana de distinguir estrelas sem mais de magnitude +6 a olho nu. À direita do prédio mais alto em primeiro plano, também estão visíveis as principais estrelas da constelação do Escorpião, sendo a super gigante vermelha Antares – visível no canto superior direito – a mais brilhante na imagem, depois dos planetas principais.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
A panorama of 2 single frames with a Canon 6D | 24mm at f/3,5 | ISO800 | Exp. 0,8 secs.
Colorful Vertical Panorama from Mitpze Ramon in Negev Desert
Captured from inside of Ramon Crater or “Makhtesh Ramon” in Israel’s Negev Desert, is the world’s largest “erosion cirque” – a landform which are only found in the Negev and its extension into Egypt’s Sinai desert created 220 million years ago when oceans covered the area. Located in the southern of Israel, Negev is a rocky desert with clay hills known for their fantastic red and yellowish colors, and cover more than half of the country. Nomadic life in the Negev dates back at least 4,000 years, and perhaps as much as 7,000 years according to some books, featuring a number of small Bedouin cities. This wide vertical panorama is featuring on the top an arched path of faint light from the winter Milky Way full of deep sky objects visible as a diffuse red/violet colors. In upper left corner we can find the Pleiades, a small group of bright blueish stars, also known as the seven sisters while below is visible the California Nebula. Orion Nebula and Rosette Nebula is also featuring on the center top edge, while further down to the right (below the Milky Way) the Beehive Cluster is shinning in a faint blue hue. On the ground, a path of light from a passing car light up the scene, resembling us the speed of light, the fastest thing we already know that can exist – at least until now – in our Universe. Above the horizon and the driest landscape of Isarel, lies the well known asterism of Ursa Major (Big Dipper), probably the easiest constellation recognisable in night time.
Biliblically and according to the Book of Genesis chapter 13, Abraham lived for a while in the Negev desert after being banished from Egypt. During the Exodus journey to the promised land, Moses sent twelve scouts into the Negev to assess the land and population. Later the northern part of biblical Negev was inhabited by the Tribe of Judah and the southern part of biblical Negev by the Tribe of Simeon. The Negev was later part of the Kingdom of Solomon (in its entirety, all the way to the Red Sea), and then, with varied extension to the south, part of the Kingdom of Judah. Source from wikipedia.
PT: Captada a partir da Cratera Ramon ou “Makhtesh Ramon” no Deserto de Negev, é o maior “cirque de erosão” do mundo – uma forma que só é encontrada no Negev e na sua extensão até ao deserto do Sinai, no Egipto – criado há 220 milhões de anos atrás. Localizado no sul de Israel, o Negev é um deserto rochoso com colinas de argila conhecidas por suas fantásticas cores vermelhas e amareladas, e cobre mais da metade do país. A vida nómade no Negev remonta pelo menos a 4.000 anos atrás, e talvez até 7.000 anos, de acordo com alguns livros, apresentando uma série de pequenas cidades beduínas. Este amplo panorama vertical apresenta no topo o caminho arqueado de luz fraca proveniente da Via Láctea de inverno, repleta de objetos do céu profundo, visíveis como um vermelho/violeta difuso. No canto superior esquerdo podemos encontrar as Pleiades, um pequeno grupo de estrelas azuladas brilhantes, também conhecidas como as Sete Irmãs, enquanto abaixo é visível a Nebulosa da Califórnia. A Nebulosa de Orion e a Nebulosa Roseta também são visíveis na extremo superior central da imagem, enquanto mais abaixo à direita (depois da Via Láctea), o aglomerado de Colmeia brilha em um tom azul fraco. No solo, um rasto de luz descrito por um carro iluminou toda a cena, relembrando-nos da velocidade da luz, a referência mais rápida que concebemos existir – pelo menos até hoje – no nosso Universo em evolução. Acima do horizonte e da paisagem mais seca de Isarel, encontra-se o bem conhecido asterismo da Ursa Maior, provavelmente a constelação mais fácil de reconhecer no céu nocturno.
Biblicamente e de acordo com o capítulo 13 do Livro de Gênesis, Abraão viveu por um tempo no deserto de Negev após ser banido do Egipto. Durante a viagem do Êxodo à terra prometida, Moisés enviou doze exploradores ao Negev para avaliar a terra e a população. Mais tarde, a parte norte do Negev bíblico foi habitada pela Tribo de Judá e a parte sul do Negev bíblico, pela Tribo de Simeão. O Negev foi mais tarde parte do Reino de Salomão (na sua totalidade, todo o caminho para o Mar Vermelho), e depois, com extensão variada para o sul, parte do Reino de Judá. Fonte da wikipedia.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
A vertical panorama of 4 single frames with a Nikon D810a | 14mm at f/2,8 | ISO2500 | Exp. 25 secs.
Winter Constellations above Mitzpe Ramon in Negev Desert
Captured from inside of Ramon Crater or “Makhtesh Ramon” in Israel’s Negev Desert, is the world’s largest “erosion cirque” – a landform which are only found in the Negev and its extension into Egypt’s Sinai desert created 220 million years ago when oceans covered the area. Located in the southern of Israel, Negev is a rocky desert with clay hills known for their fantastic red and yellowish colors, and cover more than half of the country. Nomadic life in the Negev dates back at least 4,000 years, and perhaps as much as 7,000 years according to some books, featuring a number of small Bedouin cities. The image is featuring an arched path of faint light from the winter Milky Way full of deep sky objects visible as a diffuse red/violet colors. At left we can find Sirius, the brightest star in the entire celestial sphere, and next to it, Orion constellation, with the reddish emission coming from Orion Nebula. Above, we can also find Rosette Nebula. In the top right Auriga constellation and Taurus are visible, while the Pleiades, a small group of bright blueish stars, also known as the seven sisters, are set behind the horizon. The light pollution seen above the horizon is coming from Mitzpe Ramon.
Biliblically and according to the Book of Genesis chapter 13, Abraham lived for a while in the Negev desert after being banished from Egypt. During the Exodus journey to the promised land, Moses sent twelve scouts into the Negev to assess the land and population. Later the northern part of biblical Negev was inhabited by the Tribe of Judah and the southern part of biblical Negev by the Tribe of Simeon. The Negev was later part of the Kingdom of Solomon (in its entirety, all the way to the Red Sea), and then, with varied extension to the south, part of the Kingdom of Judah. Source from wikipedia.
PT: Captada a partir da Cratera Ramon ou “Makhtesh Ramon” no Deserto de Negev, é o maior “cirque de erosão” do mundo – uma forma que só é encontrada no Negev e na sua extensão até ao deserto do Sinai, no Egipto – criado há 220 milhões de anos atrás. Localizado no sul de Israel, o Negev é um deserto rochoso com colinas de argila conhecidas por suas fantásticas cores vermelhas e amareladas, e cobre mais da metade do país. A vida nómade no Negev remonta pelo menos a 4.000 anos atrás, e talvez até 7.000 anos, de acordo com alguns livros, apresentando uma série de pequenas cidades beduínas. A imagem mostra um caminho arqueado de luz fraca da Via Láctea de Inverno, cheia de objetos do céu profundo, visíveis como uma cor vermelha a violeta difusa. À esquerda, podemos encontrar Sirius, a estrela mais brilhante em toda a esfera celeste, e ao lado dela, a constelação de Orion, com a emissão avermelhada vinda da Nebulosa de Orion. Acima, também podemos encontrar a Nebulosa Roseta. No canto superior direito, a constelação de Auriga e Touro são visíveis, enquanto as Pleiades, um pequeno grupo de estrelas azuladas brilhantes, também conhecidas como as sete irmãs, se deitam por detrás do horizonte. A poluição luminosa visível acima do horizonte, provém de Mitzpe Ramon.
Biblicamente e de acordo com o capítulo 13 do Livro de Gênesis, Abraão viveu por um tempo no deserto de Negev após ser banido do Egipto. Durante a viagem do Êxodo à terra prometida, Moisés enviou doze exploradores ao Negev para avaliar a terra e a população. Mais tarde, a parte norte do Negev bíblico foi habitada pela Tribo de Judá e a parte sul do Negev bíblico, pela Tribo de Simeão. O Negev foi mais tarde parte do Reino de Salomão (na sua totalidade, todo o caminho para o Mar Vermelho), e depois, com extensão variada para o sul, parte do Reino de Judá. Fonte da wikipedia.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
A mosaic of 6 single frames with a Nikon D810a | 21mm at f/2,8 | ISO2500 | Exp. 25 secs.
Venus and Jupiter shinning at Dawn in the Final Stage of the Lunar Eclipse
A panorama captured at dawn in the final stage of the Lunar Eclipse, reveals an increasing light of the lunar disk immersed in a thin layer of clouds, while in the opposite direction (at left) the brightest planets of the night sky – Venus and Jupiter – are shinning in a very close alignment, only separated by approximately 2,5 degrees from Jupiter, Venus is also featuring a blueish nice corona, due to a presence of tiny water droplets in thin clouds, which diffract the light of bright heavenly bodies working as a natural diffuse filter. During a celestial event like that, is incredible to notice huge changes on the reflected light that illuminates the ground. The image was captured in Mina de São Domingos, an old mine near Mértola, Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, that was the center of metallurgical activities on extracted minerals dozens years ago. The areas of heaps, slag and channels of water, give the landscape a “lunar” aspect.
PT: Um panorama captado ao amanhecer no estágio final do Eclipse Lunar de 2019, revela uma luz crescente do disco lunar imerso em uma fina camada de nuvens, enquanto na direção oposta (à esquerda) os planetas mais brilhantes do céu noturno – Vénus e Júpiter – brilham num alinhamento próximo. Separado apenas por cerca de 2,5 graus de Júpiter, Vénus apresenta uma corona azulada, devido à presença de pequenas gotículas de água em nuvens finas, que difractam a luz de corpos celestes brilhantes trabalhando como um filtro difuso natural. Durante um evento celestial como este, é incrível notar grandes mudanças na luz refletida que ilumina o solo. A imagem foi captada na Mina de São Domingos, numa antiga mina perto de Mértola, na reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, que foi no passado o centro das atividades metalúrgicas dos minerais extraídos da região. As áreas de escombreiras, escórias e canais de água, dão à paisagem um aspecto “lunar”..
My Helmet´s Vision of the Milky Way
A large panoramic image of 9 single frames captured from edge-to- edge, shows the long path of our own galaxy, the Milky Way, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. Besides the well know “Summer Triangle” with stars Deneb (from Cygnus), Altair (from Aquila) and Vega (from Lyra constellation), this colourful “helmet view” scene is featuring another larger and less usual triangle. This time, an asterism formed by planet Mars – the orange bright object in the upper left corner of the sky – the Andromeda Galaxy – the faint oblong object in upper right corner – as well as Vega, the blue bright star in the low center. The reddish hues spread around the Milky Way, are emission nebulae, stellar nurseries like North America Nebula (NGC7000). Located in Cygnus constellation, is an easily recognisable shape in the center of this lovely scene captured from Campinho, a small village in the hearth of Dark Sky® Alqueva reserve, Portugal.
PT: Uma grande panorâmica composta por 9 fotografias únicas, captadas de um horizonte ao outro, mostra o longo caminho da nossa própria galáxia, a Via Láctea, vista a partir do Hemisfério Norte. Além do já conhecido “Triângulo de Verão” formado pelas estrelas Deneb (do Cisne), Altair (da Águia) e Vega, da constelação Lira, esta colorida cena celeste que mais se assemelha à visão que teríamos a partir de um capacete, apresenta outro triângulo maior e menos comum. Desta vez, um asterismo formado pelo planeta Marte – o objeto laranja brilhante no canto superior esquerdo do céu – a galáxia de Andromeda – o objeto difuso e oblongo no canto superior direito – bem como Vega, a estrela azul brilhante perto do centro. Os tons avermelhados espalhados pela Via Láctea são nebulosas de emissão, berçários estelares como a Nebulosa América do Norte (NGC7000). Localizada na constelação do Cisne, é uma forma facilmente reconhecível no centro desta encantadora cena captada no Campinho, uma pequena vila no coração da reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal.
A Panoramic Milky Way Above Azenhas do Guadiana
An impressive panoramic view shows the Milky Way rising above the hills from the fluvial beach of Azenhas do Guadiana, in Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola. While a family of ducks are standing near the water in the center of the picture, two photographers are capturing the wonders of the night sky during a workshop of astrophotography. At the right side of this scenic view, the core of our galaxy is shinning bright and with it, some deep sky objects like the Lagoon Nebula, visible in red-violet immediately above the hill top.
Milky Way, Andromeda and a Dutch Sailboat
Visible below two galaxies, our Great Milky Way that stands bright at the top of this vertical panorama and Andromeda Galaxy, the diffuse elliptic shape shining near the center of the image, is Sem Fim boat. A Westlander sailboat built in 1913 in Holland. This type of boat, was used in the Dutch channels for the transport of goods, among them flowers. It was later transformed into house and bring it to Portugal. Now it navigates in Alqueva lake giving tourists the experience of sailing in the wind on board of a vintage boat. The image was captured during the XII edition of Dark Sky® Party Alqueva, held annually in Campinho, Dark Sky® Alqueva reserve.
A Pinky Sky with a Golden Moon above Niagara Falls
Created by glacier activity around 10000 years ago, Niagara Falls is one the of the World’s Natural Wonders. Located on the border of Ontario, Canada and New York State, USA, Niagara Falls are made up of 3 waterfalls, the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. The 3 waterfalls combined, is producing the highest flow rate of any waterfall on Earth. The Horseshoe Falls are 180 feet (57 meters) high and allow 6 million cubic feet (168,000 cubic meters) of water every minute during peak daytime tourist hours, “that is about a million bathtubs full of water every minute”! Although, according this and having in mind the total volume of our natural satellite, the Moon, with 2.1958e10 km3 it would need to take of about 248 years to fill up the entire sphere that represents the body of the Moon. The rapids above the Falls reach a maximum speed of 40 km/h, but the fastest speeds occur at the Falls with 109 km/h. Niagara River expert, Wes Hill, estimates that 90 % of the fish can survive from the huge drop. At the current rate of erosion, scientists believe that the Niagara Falls will be gone in around 50000 years, luckily you still have time to be one of the 30 million people that every year are visiting the place. The image shows a golden crescent moon against the pink band from anti-twilight arch, or “Belt of Venus”, visible few minutes after the sunset when lots of birds are flying above American Falls & Bridal Veil Falls. Below, a boat from Hornblower Niagara Cruises, not so iconic as The Maid of the Mist that made its first trip in 1846, is carrying aboard hundreds of people that in the background has a massive flow of 567,811 liters of water falling each second.
PT: Criada pela atividade glacial há cerca de 10000 anos, as Cataratas do Niágara são uma das maravilhas naturais do mundo. Localizadas na fronteira de Ontário, Canadá e Estado de Nova York, EUA, as Cataratas do Niágara são compostas por 3 cataratas, as Cataratas Americanas, as Cataratas de Bridal Veil e as Cataratas Canadenses. As Cataratas Horseshoe têm 180 pés (57 metros) de altura e permitem a passagem de 168.000 metros cúbicos de água a cada minuto, durante o dia e no horário de pico turístico, isto é, cerca de um milhão de banheiras cheias de água a cada minuto! No entanto, de acordo com esses dados e tendo em mente o volume total de nosso satélite natural da Tera, a Lua, com 2.1958e10 km3, seria necessário cerca de 248 anos para preencher toda a esfera que representa o corpo da Lua. Acima das Cataratas a água atinge uma velocidade máxima de 40 km/h, mas as velocidades mais rápidas ocorrem nas Cataratas onde a água se precipita em queda livre atingindo os 109 km/h. O especialista do Rio Niágara, Wes Hill, estima que 90% dos peixes conseguem sobreviver da enorme queda. No ritmo atual de erosão, os cientistas acreditam que as Cataratas do Niágara terão desaparecido em cerca de 50000 anos, felizmente ainda terá tempo de ser uma das 30 milhões de pessoas que todos os anos visitam o local. A imagem mostra uma lua crescente dourada contra a faixa rosa do arco anti-crepuscular, ou também conhecido por Belt of Venus, poucos minutos após o pôr do sol, quando muitos pássaros voam acima de American Falls e Bridal Veil Falls. Abaixo, um barco da Hornblower Niagara Cruises, não tão icónico como o Maid of the Mist que fez a sua primeira viagem em 1846, carrega a bordo centenas de pessoas que em pano de fundo têm um fluxo de 567.811 litros de água caindo a cada segundo da viagem.
Under the Darkness the Sky is Anything but Black
Our eyes are not so good in distinguish colors under the darkness, but a simple DSLR camera can show us that the Universe is anything but black. The scene above captured from Noudar Park, in Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, shows a colorful star field around the bright arm of the Milky Way also visible in the background behind a thin layer of clouds. Each color is directly related to the type and temperature of each star in a range that could features blue, white, yellow or even orange hues. The hottest stars, are showing a blue color, but in opposition, the coolest can reveal an orange-reddish color. The “Christmas balls” that seems to adorn this old olive tree in the foreground, are not only stars, but also planets, Like Mars and Saturn, shinning bright in the center of the tree in yellow-orange and white.
PT: Os nossos olhos não são muito bons a distinguir cores na escuridão da noite, mas uma simples câmara DSLR pode revelar-nos que o Universo é tudo menos preto. A cena acima captada no Parque de Noudar, Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva, mostra-nos um colorido campo de estrelas ao redor do braço brilhante da Via Láctea, também visível em pano de fundo e envolta numa fina camada de nuvens. Cada cor está diretamente relacionada com o tipo e temperatura de cada estrela em um intervalo que pode apresentar tonalidades de azul, branco, amarelo ou até laranja. As estrelas mais quentes revelam uma cor azul, mas em oposição, as estrelas mais frias podem revelar uma cor laranja-avermelhada. As “bolas de Natal” que parecem enfeitar esta velha oliveira em primeiro plano, não são apenas estrelas, mas também planetas, como Marte e Saturno, brilhando ao centro da árvore numa tonalidade amarelo-alaranjado e branco.
A Spring Milky Way above Campinho
The image shows the Arch of Milky Way as seen during a Spring night in the Northern Hemisphere, Campinho, in Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve. High in the sky, we can see a “blue bright” star with an apparent magnitude of 0,0 called Vega, serving as a middle reference in the magnitude system chart created for the first time in 150 B.C.E, by the greek astronomer Hipparchus. Vega, from Lyra constellation, is forming an asterism well know as the “Summer Triangle” with stars Deneb (from Cygnus) and Altair (from Aquila). At the right center of the picture, planet Mars and Saturn are shinning near the core of the Galaxy. Following the same line we can find the red supergiant star Antares, from Scorpius constellations, and the bright planet Jupiter. Above the horizon is visible a mix of yellow/greenish airglow with the lights from Aldeia da Luz, and below, a water mirror from the largest manmade lake in Europa, The Great Lake Alqueva.
PT: A imagem mostra o Arco da Via Láctea como visto durante uma noite de primavera no Hemisfério Norte, na região do Campinho, Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva. No alto do céu, é possível ver uma estrela azulada e brilhante com uma magnitude aparente de 0.0, de nome Vega. Serve como uma referência intermédia na tabela do sistema de magnitudes criado pela primeira vez no 150 A.C, pelo astrónomo grego Hiparco. Vega, da constelação de Lyra, forma um asterismo conhecido como o “Triângulo de Verão” com as estrelas Deneb (Cisne) e Altair (da Águia). No centro direito da imagem, o planeta Marte e Saturno brilham perto do centro da galáxia. Seguindo a mesma linha, podemos encontrar a estrela supergigante vermelha Antares, da constelações do Escorpião, terminando no extremo direito da imagem com o brilho intenso do planeta Júpiter. Um pouco acima do horizonte é visível uma tonalidade de amarelo/esverdeado proveniente da subtil presença de airglow (Luminescência Foto-química) que se mistura ainda com algumas luzes da Aldeia da Luz, já bem junto ao horizonte deste panorama. Logo abaixo, o enorme espelho de água do maior lago artificial da Europa Ocidental, o Grande Lago Alqueva, reflecte assim algumas das estrelas que salpicam o firmamento do Dark Sky® Alqueva.
Big Dipper, Red Airglow and Milky Way in a Panoramic view from Mértola
A panoramic view from Mértola, Dark Sky® Alqueva, shows a celestial scene captured in a night where the presence of a reddish-yellow airglow was very active. In the background, the well know asterism from Big Dipper or Ursa Major, is shinning at the left edge, while in the opposite direction of the image a faint light from the Milky Way is visible behind the layer of airglow. Sirius, the brightest star in the entire celestial sphere is well spotted and above it – in the right top corner – the H-alfa emission coming from Rosette and Orion Nebula are noticeable in red, with Lambda Orionis, Barnard´s Loop, Horse Head and M42 well visible. Below, a partial path of Guadiana river is reflecting the color of the sky.
A Twilight Moon in La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
This cityscape scene shows a 96% illuminated Moon, peeking through the clouds during the twilight at the right side of the Roman Catholic church of La Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona, Spain. Being the most visited landmark, was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2005. It has the particularity of being the world’s only major church currently under construction! Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) is the most important and ambitious work done by him. At the very beginning, Gaudi´s thought it would take only 10 year to build it, but on 19th of March 2017, was the 135th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the Temple. Currently, 70% of the Basilica is finished and they are working on building the six central towers. The temple must be finished in 2022.
PT: Este cenário de paisagem urbana mostra uma lua iluminada a 96%, espreitando por entre as nuvens durante o crepúsculo náutico, ao lado direito da Igreja Católica Romana da Sagrada Familia, em Barcelona, Espanha. Sendo um dos marcos mais visitados, foi inscrito em 2015 na lista da UNESCO como Património Mundial da Humanidade. Tendo a particularidade de ser a única grande igreja do mundo atualmente em construção, foi projectada pelo arquitecto catalão Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) é o trabalho mais importante e ambicioso feito por ele. No início, Gaudi pensou que levaria apenas 10 anos para construir a Basílica, mas em 19 de março de 2017, comemorou-se o 135º aniversário da colocação da pedra fundamental do Templo. Atualmente, 70% da Basílica está acabada e sendo que se está a trabalhar na construção das seis torres centrais. O templo deverá estar terminado apenas em 2022.
Respecting the Night Sky – Milky Way above Cumeada Observatory, Dark Sky Alqueva
Cumeada, in Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal, is a small village where is located the headquarter of Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, the First Starlight Tourism Destination in the World. The recovered building is an old primary school rehabilitated by the Municipality of Reguengos to receive the official Observatory of Dark Sky® Alqueva. All the public lights from the entire village were changed to LED and the position of incident light, directed to the ground, as we can see in the image. An effort between the main power supplier company operating in Portugal (EDP), the Municipality and the Dark Sky® Alqueva, to respect the night sky and all the surrounding needs. Whenever the Observatory is operating, the light flux from the entire village can be reduced from 100% to 10% only, using a smartphone app, so even with the street lights On and set to 10%, we can clearly distinguish the Milky Way arch, the street itself, the roads and surrounding area, so people can feel secure at the same time. This procedure had a huge impact in the night sky quality that is constantly monitored with a Sky Quality Meter registering an average measurement of SQM: 21.45 mag/arcsec^2.
PT: A Cumeada, em Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal, é uma pequena vila onde está localizada a sede da Dark Sky® Alqueva, o Primeiro Destino Turístico do Mundo certificado pela Fundação Starlight. O edifício recuperado é uma antiga escola primária do Estado Novo reabilitada pelo Município de Reguengos para receber o Observatório oficial do Dark Sky® Alqueva. As luzes públicas de toda a vila foram alteradas para LED e a posição da luz incidente, direcionada para o chão, como é possível ver na imagem captada numa noite húmida e fria, permitindo registar esse ângulo de incidência da luz. Um esforço conjunto entre a EDP, o Município e a Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva, para respeitar o céu noturno e todas as necessidades circundantes. Sempre que o Observatório está operando, o fluxo de luz de toda a vila pode ser reduzido de 100% para 10% apenas, usando um aplicativo para smartphone. Deste modo, mesmo com as luzes da rua acesas e reduzidas para 10%, é possível distinguir claramente o braço arqueado da Via Láctea no céu, assim como a rua, as estradas e área circundante, para que as pessoas também se possam sentir simultaneamente seguras. Este procedimento teve um enorme impacto na qualidade do céu noturno da região da sede, que é constantemente monitorizado com um Medidor da Qualidade do Céu (SQM) registando uma medida média de SQM: 21,45 mag/arcsec^2.
A wide view from Roque de Los Muchachos
PT: Vista panorâmica da montanha de Roque de Los Muchachos, em La Palma, nas Ilhas Canárias, onde se encontra um dos maiores observatórios do mundo, um complexo de 15 telescópios de 19 nações que opera perto da costa da África, Oceano Atlântico. Da esquerda para a direita, podemos ver o laser verde do telescópio William Herschel (WHT), o braço da Via Láctea e abaixo dele, uma camada de nuvens iluminada pelo luar. Acima das nuvens, fica a cúpula cinza do Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) enquanto no primeiro plano (lado direito) encontra-se a cúpula do Telescópio Isaac Newton (INT). No extremo direito, é possível ver a lua a nascer acima do horizonte.
Arched Milky Way above La Palma
A panoramic view with the mountain of Roque de Los Muchachos, in La Palma Canary island, where stands a huge complex with 15 telescopes, some of the largest telescopes in the world from 19 nations working near the coast of Africa, in Atlantic Ocean. At left edge, the Zodiacal Light touch the Milky Way that start its arched shape near the William Herschel Telescope (WHT) with the laser pointed to the Zenith, while in the opposite direction, the faintest part of Milky Way arm sets behind the open dome of Isaac Newton Telescope (INT).
PT: Vista panorâmica da montanha de Roque de Los Muchachos, em La Palma, nas Ilhas Canárias, onde se encontra um dos maiores observatórios do mundo, um complexo de 15 telescópios de 19 nações que opera perto da costa da África, Oceano Atlântico. Na extremidade esquerda, a subtileza da Luz Zodiacal toca a Via Láctea que começa a sua forma arqueada perto do Telescópio William Herschel (WHT) que tem o laser apontado em direcção ao Zénite, enquanto na direção oposta, é possível ver a outra extremidade do arco galáctico, representado pela parte mais ténue da Via Láctea que se vai ocultando atrás da cúpula do Telescópio Isaac Newton (INT), visível à direita.
Venus Reflecting on Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland
Venus is the second-brightest natural object in the night sky after the Moon, reaching an apparent magnitude of −4.6, bright enough to cast shadows. Is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. It has the longest rotation period (243 days) of any planet in the Solar System and rotates in the opposite direction to most other planets. It has no natural satellite. It is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Normally visible at Dawn or other times at Dusk, Venus has been a major fixture in human culture for as long as records have existed. It has been made sacred to gods of many cultures, and has been a prime inspiration for writers and poets as the “morning star” and “evening star”. In the image above, the brightness of this planet is reflecting in the ocean surface from Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland, due to a presence of tiny water droplets in thin clouds – which diffract the light of bright heavenly bodies working as a natural diffuse filter – we also can see a blueish color from its corona. The Giant’s Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. It is located in County Antrim on the northeast coast of Northern Ireland, about three miles (4.8 km) northeast of the town of Bushmills. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986, and a national nature reserve in 1987 by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.
The Shard Tower and Crescent Moon in London
This London twilight cityscape view, shows de Crescent Moon at the left side of “The Shard” tower. Also referred as the Shard of Glass and formerly London Bridge Tower, is a 95-storey skyscraper in Southwark, London, that forms part of the London Bridge Quarter development. Standing 309.6 metres (1,016 ft) high, the Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom, the 105th tallest building in the world, and the fourth tallest building in Europe.
PT: Esta imagem Cityscape da cidade de Londres captada durante o crepúsculo náutico, mostra a Lua Crescente à esquerda da torre londrina “The Shard”. Também conhecido como “Shard of Glass” e anteriormente London Bridge Tower, é um arranha-céu de 95 andares em Southwark, Londres, que faz parte do Quarter London Bridge. Atingindo 309,6 metros (1.016 pés) de altura, o Shard é o edifício mais alto do Reino Unido, o edifício 105º entre os mais altos do mundo, e o quarto edifício mais alto da Europa.
Prime Meridian Laser in Greenwich
The Greenwich Meridian separates east from west in the same way that the Equator separates north from south. Inextricably linked with Greenwich Mean Time, it also sits at the centre of our system of time zones. Its path is determined by the location of an historic telescope, the Airy Transit Circle (51°28′40.1″N 0°0′5.3″W), which is housed at the Royal Observatory of Greenwich, in London. The Prime Meridian was established by Sir George Airy in 1851.
A prime meridian is a meridian (a line of longitude) in a geographical coordinate system at which longitude is defined to be 0°. Together, a prime meridian and its antimeridian (the 180th meridian in a 360°-system) form a great circle. This great circle divides the sphere, e.g., the Earth, into two hemispheres. If one uses directions of East and West from a defined prime meridian, then they can be called Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere.
PT: O meridiano de Greenwich separa “Este” de “Oeste” da mesma forma que o Equador separa o Norte do Sul. Intimamente ligado com Greenwich Mean Time, também está no centro do nosso sistema de fusos horários. O seu caminho é determinado pela localização de um telescópio histórico, o “Airy Transit Circle” (51°28′40.1″N 0°0′5.3″W), que está localizado no Observatório Real de Greenwich, em Londres. O Meridiano de Greenwich foi criada por Sir George Airy em 1851.
The Prime Meridian in Greenwich Observatory, was long marked by a brass strip in the courtyard, now replaced by stainless steel, and, since 16 December 1999, has been marked by a powerful green laser shining north across the London night sky. The Meridian laser marks the route of the Greenwich Meridian by night in a northerly direction from the Royal Observatory. Under good viewing conditions, it is visible at a distance of over 36 miles with the naked eye and over 60 miles with binoculars.
Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds above São Pedro de Atacama
Milky Way arc with Zodiacal Light above a farm from the small desert village of São Pedro de Atacama. In the left part of this panoramic view, is also visible the Canopus star rising above the horizon and the Large (LMC) and Small (SMC) Magellanic clouds shining high in the sky of Chile – October 2015.
PT: O arco da Via Láctea e a Luz Zodiacal acima de uma quinta na vila de São Pedro de Atacama. À esquerda, a estrela Canopus nasce acima do horizonte, e logo acima desta, erguem-se a grande (LMC) e pequena (SMC) Nuvem de Magalhães – galáxias satélite da Via Láctea – visíveis a olho nu, brilham intensamente nos céus do Chile. Outubro 2015
Waking Dream in the Magical Castle of Noudar
EN: At dawn the stars disappear, only the Moon survives and the sky becomes the canvas that will receive the brushstrokes of vivid colors and nuances that only the mastery of nature, can produce | Sky of Barrancos
PT: Ao amanhecer as estrelas perdem-se, só a Lua sobrevive e o céu torna-se a tela que recebes as pinceladas de cores vivas e nuances que só a mestria da natureza consegue produzir | Céu de Barrancos
Milky Way Arm in the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve
The beauty of the entire arched arm of Milky Way as seen from the northern hemisphere, a panoramic view that rises above the lands included on the route of Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve. Nature Park of Noudar | Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – Portugal
The Arc of Milky Way in the Twilight with the Moon and Zodiacal Light above VLT
The entire Arc of Milky Way full of gas and dust can be seen in this panoramic lovely view from the southern sky, captured in the end of nautical twilight, above the Very Large Telescope platform. At left of the small tower, above the horizon, the bright object visible is not a star itself, but the great globular cluster Omega Centauri. Closer to left in the beginning of Milky Way arc, are spotted the bright stars of Alpha and Beta Centauri. In the middle of the image, the strong light of crescent moon is shining above the Antu telescope, the first one. Above the moon, we can see the planet Saturn, the orange star Antares from Scorpius constellation, and the dark streaks that are part of Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, which connects this region to the main arm of Milky Way with more then 200º from side to side. In the background of this same region, a faint white light is visible, called the Zodiacal Light. In the foreground at right, we can see the Yepun telescope, reflecting a silver color coming from the moon reflection on its metallic surface. In the extremely right edge of the image, the Andromeda galaxy is even visible as an elongated diffuse dot.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 15/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile
Milky Way Arch above Xerez Cromlech
Panoramic view of our own galaxy, the Milky Way arm as a background of Cromeleque do Xerez. 18/06/2015. Monsaraz | Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – Portugal
ISS above the vineyards
The Earth is surrounded by satellites, which appear” as apparent stars fixed in brightness” transiting the sky of dawn and dusk. But one of these stars is really special, for having humans on board at all times, is this the International Space Station (ISS), the more evident by its intensity, moving at a speed of 28.000 km/h, gives a complete turn around earth every 90 minutes. 18/06/2015. Reguengos de Monsaraz | Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – Portugal
Cork trees – shadow oasis in Alentejo
Cork trees are leafy trees that can be found in Alentejo, functioning almost as “shadow oasis” in a hot region where few degrees less will make the difference. Its size is large enough to allow access to a good region of the sky when we look from their trunk, visible in this image are the colored stars from the winter constellation of Orion (right), while above the horizon we can enjoy the birth of planet Jupiter. 16/12/2014 – Alandroal | Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – Portugal
A Panoramic view to the top of Cerro Paranal
Panoramic view from VISTA telescope to the top of Cerro Paranal (at left) where it is located the VLT platform. In the right side we can see the Milky Way trying to show up behind a dark band of clouds, also covering the Moonset. The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture.
Image taken taken in 17/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
Reddish Airglow in a Fulldome view of Very Large Telescope
In this fish-eye fulldome picture, we can see a partial cloudy sky, that can promote sometimes the appearance of a beautiful show. Specially, if we have a night of Moonlight that can illuminate and show a strange game of ghostly shapes in the clouds. In the background a starry sky with a shy Milky Way is showing a strong presence of reddish airglow in the opposite direction of the Very Large Telescope.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 16/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
Cerro Armazones, the home for the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT)
Above the horizon we can see Cerro Armazones mountain iluminated by the sunset redish color that is reflected in the land and high clouds . With an altitude of 3060 metres in the central part of Chiles Atacama Desert, some 130 kilometres south of the town of Antofagasta and about 20 kilometres from Cerro Paranal, home of ESOs Very Large Telescope. Cerro Armazone will be the baseline site for the planned 39-metre-class European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), with a planned construction period of about a decade. The telescope’s “eye” will be almost half the length of a soccer pitch in diameter and will gather 15 times more light than the largest optical telescopes operating today. The telescope has an innovative five-mirror design that includes advanced adaptive optics to correct for the turbulent atmosphere, giving exceptional image quality. The main mirror will be made up from almost 800 hexagonal segments.
Image taken taken in 16/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
Belt of Venus above the DIMM tower in Cerro Paranal
In the foreground, we can see the white Meteorological Tower of Paranal. The small dome contains a telescope dedicated to monitoring the atmospheric seeing conditions, known as a Differential Image Motion Monitor (DIMM.) In the background is strongly visible the Earth’s shadow, the shadow that the Earth itself casts on its atmosphere. This shadow is visible in the opposite half of the sky to the sunset or sunrise, and is seen right above the horizon as a dark blue band. Immediately above, a pink band that is visible above the dark blue of the Earth’s shadow is called “Belt of Venus”, and is caused by backscattering of refracted sunlight due to fine dust particles high in the atmosphere.
Image taken taken in 16/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
Atacama Desert View with Cerro Armazones
From left to right and above the horizon we can see in this panoramic view of Atacama desert, the Cerro Armazones mountain, illuminated by the sunset reddish color that is reflected in the land and high clouds, coming from the right edge of the image in the opposite direction, where it is located the Pacific Ocean. With an altitude of 3060 meters in the central part of Chiles Atacama Desert, some 130 kilometers south of the town of Antofagasta and about 20 kilometers from Cerro Paranal, home of ESOs Very Large Telescope. Cerro Armazones will be the baseline site for the planned 39-meter-class European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), with a planned construction period of about a decade. The telescope’s “eye” will be almost half the length of a soccer pitch in diameter and will gather 15 times more light than the largest optical telescopes operating today. The telescope has an innovative five-mirror design that includes advanced adaptive optics to correct for the turbulent atmosphere, giving exceptional image quality. The main mirror will be made up from almost 800 hexagonal segments.
Image taken taken in 16/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
VLT Residencia with Orion, Sirus, Canopus and Magellanic Clouds
In the left side of the sky we can see the Orion constellation with the orientation inverted for being seen from the Southern Hemisphere, close to the right, we can find the brightest star of the entire celestial sphere and Northen Hemisphere, Sirius. Moving further up, in the center of the image, is located the Canopus star, the brightest star of Southern Hemisphere. Next to it, is well spoted the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, a duo of irregular dwarf galaxies, which are members of the Local Group and are orbiting the Milky Way galaxy. In the ground, we can see the white dome of Residencia where astronomers from ESO that are working daily on VLT complex are hosted. In the background we also can see a tone of green and reddish faint light, coming from the airglow phenomenon.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 17/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
Panoramic View of the Milky Way above ALMA Plateau
In the background we can see the arc of Milky Way full of gas and dust with the Zodiacal Light crossing the sky, and at left, the both Magellanic Clouds. In the foreground, is also visible one antenna (DV-21) of 12 meters in diameter, pointing to some place of the cold Universe. This are the first tests to experiment the largest configuration that ALMA can support, with antennas spreaded over distances up to 16 km. The array thus simulates a giant, single telescope much larger than any that could actually be built. In fact, ALMA has a maximum resolution which is even better than that achieved, at visible wavelengths, by the Hubble Space Telescope.
The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is an astronomical interferometer of radio telescopes in the Atacama desert of northern Chile. Since a high and dry site is crucial to millimeter wavelength operations, the array has been constructed on the Chajnantor plateau at 5,000 meters altitude, near Llano de Chajnantor Observatory and Atacama Pathfinder Experiment. Consisting of 66 12-meter (39 ft), and 7-meter (23 ft) diameter radio telescopes observing at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths, ALMA is expected to provide insight on star birth during the early universe and detailed imaging of local star and planet formation. ALMA is a single telescope of revolutionary design, composed initially of 66 high-precision antennas, and operating at wavelengths of 0.32 to 3.6 mm. Its main 12-metre array has fifty antennas, 12 metres in diameter, acting together as a single telescope — an interferometer. An additional compact array of four 12-metre and twelve 7-metre antennas complements this. The 66 ALMA antennas can be arranged in different configurations, where the maximum distance between antennas can vary from 150 metres to 16 kilometres, which will give ALMA a powerful variable “zoom”. It will be able to probe the Universe at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths with unprecedented sensitivity and resolution, with a vision up to ten times sharper than the Hubble Space Telescope, and complementing images made with the VLT Interferometer. Light at these wavelengths comes from vast cold clouds in interstellar space, at temperatures only a few tens of degrees above absolute zero, and from some of the earliest and most distant galaxies in the Universe. Astronomers can use it to study the chemical and physical conditions in molecular clouds — the dense regions of gas and dust where new stars are being born. Often these regions of the Universe are dark and obscured in visible light, but they shine brightly in the millimetre and submillimetre part of the spectrum. ALMA is the most powerful telescope for observing the cool Universe — molecular gas and dust.
ALMA will study the building blocks of stars, planetary systems, galaxies and life itself. By providing scientists with detailed images of stars and planets being born in gas clouds near our Solar System, and detecting distant galaxies forming at the edge of the observable Universe, which we see as they were roughly ten billion years ago, it lets astronomers address some of the deepest questions of our cosmic origins.
Image taken taken in 14/10/2015 from Chajnantor plateau, Atacama desert, Chile.
Milky Way Crossing the Sky of ALMA
Above the last antenna in the left center horizon, the bright object visible is not a star itself, but the great globular cluster Omega Centauri. Next to it, in the beginning of Milky Way arc, are spotted the bright stars of Alpha and Beta Centauri. Along his path we can enjoy the magnificent presence of our Galaxy full of gas and dust, star clusters and emission nebulae, as well as the orange star Antares from Scorpius constellation, and the dark streaks that are part of Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, which connects this region to the main arm of Milky Way. Below right, we find planet Saturn and a faint white light called the Zodiacal Light, coming up as a backlight behind the antenna of ALMA (DV-21) with12 meters in diameter, is capturing the wavelengths from vast cold clouds in the interstellar space. This are the first tests to experiment the largest configuration that ALMA can support, with antennas spread over distances up to 16 km. The array thus simulates a giant, single telescope much larger than any that could actually be built. In fact, ALMA has a maximum resolution which is even better than that achieved, at visible wavelengths, by the Hubble Space Telescope.
The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is an astronomical interferometer of radio telescopes in the Atacama desert of northern Chile. Since a high and dry site is crucial to millimeter wavelength operations, the array has been constructed on the Chajnantor plateau at 5,000 meters altitude, near Llano de Chajnantor Observatory and Atacama Pathfinder Experiment. Consisting of 66 12-meter (39 ft), and 7-meter (23 ft) diameter radio telescopes observing at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths, ALMA is expected to provide insight on star birth during the early universe and detailed imaging of local star and planet formation. ALMA is a single telescope of revolutionary design, composed initially of 66 high-precision antennas, and operating at wavelengths of 0.32 to 3.6 mm. Its main 12-meter array has fifty antennas, 12 meters in diameter, acting together as a single telescope — an interferometer. An additional compact array of four 12-meter and twelve 7-metre antennas complements this. The 66 ALMA antennas can be arranged in different configurations, where the maximum distance between antennas can vary from 150 metres to 16 kilometres, which will give ALMA a powerful variable “zoom”. It will be able to probe the Universe at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths with unprecedented sensitivity and resolution, with a vision up to ten times sharper than the Hubble Space Telescope, and complementing images made with the VLT Interferometer. Light at these wavelengths comes from vast cold clouds in interstellar space, at temperatures only a few tens of degrees above absolute zero, and from some of the earliest and most distant galaxies in the Universe. Astronomers can use it to study the chemical and physical conditions in molecular clouds — the dense regions of gas and dust where new stars are being born. Often these regions of the Universe are dark and obscured in visible light, but they shine brightly in the millimeter and submillimetre part of the spectrum.
ALMA is the most powerful telescope for observing the cool Universe — molecular gas and dust. ALMA will study the building blocks of stars, planetary systems, galaxies and life itself. By providing scientists with detailed images of stars and planets being born in gas clouds near our Solar System, and detecting distant galaxies forming at the edge of the observable Universe, which we see as they were roughly ten billion years ago, it lets astronomers address some of the deepest questions of our cosmic origins.
Image taken taken in 14/10/2015 from Chajnantor plateau, Atacama desert, Chile.
Very Large Telescope Platform in the Twilight
Nautical twilight, above the Very Large Telescope platform. Near the horizon the bright moon is shining above the Antu telescope, the first one near the center. At his left, above the horizon are visible some of the Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. At the right side of Antu, the telescopes Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, with mirrors of 8.2m diameter, are opening and preparing for a night of observations. This telescopes are generally used separately, but can be used together to achieve a very high angular resolution. Looking from outside, they are reflecting a silver color coming from the moon reflection on its metalic surface. In the ground, at the left side of the image, we can see part of the interferometer (VLTI) complex, where the movable Auxiliary Telescopes can be placed.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred meters. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 15/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
Milky Way Arm Crossing Antu, Kueyen and Melipal Telescopes
Milky Way arm of gas and dust lying behind the Very Large Telesope Antu, Kueyen e Melipal, while it is capturing the light coming from space. At the right edge of the image, we can see the VLT Survey Telescope (VST), that is the latest telescope to be added to ESO’s Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 15/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
A Planet of Very Large Telescopes
After sunset a partial cloudy sky can promote the appearance of a beautiful show of colors, specially if we have a night of Moonlight that can illuminate and show a strange game of ghostly shapes in the clouds, combined with a starry sky as a background with the Milky Way. In the foreground, we can see in this fish-eye fulldome picture some of the Auxiliary Telescopes availabe in the VLT plataform and the Antu 8.2m diameter Large Telescope.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 16/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
A startrail of Magellanic Clouds around the South Pole
In the left side of the sky we can see the trail of Sirius star. Moving to the right in the center of the image, is located the Canopus startrail, as well the draged motion of Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. Below them, the rotational motion of Earth helped to find with precision the right position of the South Pole in the sky. In the ground, we can see the white dome of Residencia where astronomers from ESO working daily on VLT complex, are hosted.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 17/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
Magellanic Clouds, Zodiacal Light and Gegenschein on a VLT Panorama
In the left side of this – almost 360º- panoramic view, we can see Canopus star and the Large (LMC) and Small (SMC) Magellanic Clouds. Above the horizon, in the beginning of Milky Way arc, are yet visible the bright stars Alpha and Beta Centauri. At the center, lie down the galactic arm with the Zodiacal Light as a background of Antu telescope. Next to the last telescope is clearly visible the elongated diffuse light coming from Andromeda galaxy. In the upper part of the image and opposite direction of Magellanic Clouds, is shining a Gegenschein, that is a faint brightening of the night sky in the region of the antisolar point. Like the zodiacal light, the Gegenschein is sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust. Most of this dust is orbiting the Sun in about the ecliptic plane. It is distinguished from zodiacal light by its high angle of reflection of the incident sunlight on the dust particles. Below right and near the horizon, the Pleiades (M45) star cluster is visible next the tower silhouette.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 16/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
Twlight on VLT and the Southern Crescent Moon
Twilight behind the Yepun VLT Telescope (at left) and Survey Telescope VST (at right) while they start opening his doors, preparing for a night of research. The faint and inverted crescent moon of the southern hemisphere, can be seen in the center of the image.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 15/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
Milky Way Arc above the Yepun and VST Telescopes
Milky Way arc of gas and dust lying behind the Yepun (UT4) VLT Telescope, in the foreground, while it is capturing the light coming from deep space. Below left we can see the bright light of the moon and above it, the planet Saturn. At the right edge of the image, we can see the VLT Survey Telescope (VST), that is the latest telescope to be added to ESO’s Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. Above the VST is shinning the bright star Vega, forming in the upper right area, the well known asterism as The Summer Triangle.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 15/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
The Great Milky Way above Antu, Kueyen and Melipal VLT Telescopes
In this close-up of the central region of the Milky Way full of gas and dust, star clusters and emission nebulae, lies as the perfect background to framing the right alignment (from left to right) between the VLT telescopes Antu (UT1), Kueyen (UT2) and Melipal (UT3). In Mapuche language, Antu means “The Sun”, Kueyen “The Moon” and Melipal “The Southern Cross”.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 15/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
1% of Crescent Moon above the Medieval Village of Monsaraz
The Crescent Moon with 1% of light, lying behind the castle and medieval village of Monsaraz. 19/04/2015 Monsaraz | Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – Portugal
Vertical Milky Way above GTC Telescope
Vertical vision of our great Milky Way above the GTC – Gran TeCan Canarias Telescope in observatory Roque de Los Muchachos.
Moonrise in Monsaraz Castle
EN: Full Moonrise behind the medieval village and castle of Monsaraz | Sky of Monsaraz
PT: Nascer da lua cheia por detrás da vila e castelo medieval de Monsaraz | Céu de Monsaraz
Milky Way from the Noudar Castle
Milky Way as viewed from the Noudar Castle. | Canon 60Da – ISO2500 Exp. 30 Secs. 11mm at f/2.8 taken in 20/10/2014 at 20h50m
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
The Castle of Noudar and the church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is located between the Múrtega and the Ardila rivers which flow towards the West. Its construction was finished in 1307, during the reign of Don Dinis. The place was chosen because of its natural defenses, easy access and the closeness of a water spring of excellent quality – Fonte da Figueira, located roughly 250 meters to the East of the castle, under the hilltop known as Forca (“the Gallows”). Good and plentiful farming land and cattle grazing fields can also be found near the castle. This medieval fortress was very important for border defense against the kingdom of Castile during the early 14th Century.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve:
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
Milky Way above a Watermills in Múrtega Creek
Milky Way above a Watermills in Múrtega Creek | Canon 60Da – ISO2000 Exp. 30 Secs. 11mm at f/2.8 taken in 18/10/2014 at 20h57
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
The Castle of Noudar and the church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is located between the Múrtega and the Ardila rivers which flow towards the West. Its construction was finished in 1307, during the reign of Don Dinis. The place was chosen because of its natural defenses, easy access and the closeness of a water spring of excellent quality – Fonte da Figueira, located roughly 250 meters to the East of the castle, under the hilltop known as Forca (“the Gallows”). Good and plentiful farming land and cattle grazing fields can also be found near the castle. This medieval fortress was very important for border defense against the kingdom of Castile during the early 14th Century.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve:
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
Panoramic view of Múrtega Creek and Milky Way in Noudar Park
Panoramic view of Múrtega Creek and Milky Way in Noudar Park | Canon 60Da – ISO2000 Exp. 30 Secs. 11mm at f/2.8 taken in 18/10/2014 at 21h27
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve:
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
Milky Way Arc above Noudar Park
Milky Way Arc above Noudar Park, a view from Eira area. | Canon 50D – ISO1600 Exp. 20 Secs. 35mm at f/2 Mosaic picture taken in 18/10/2014 at 00h18.
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
The Castle of Noudar and the church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is located between the Múrtega and the Ardila rivers which flow towards the West. Its construction was finished in 1307, during the reign of Don Dinis. The place was chosen because of its natural defenses, easy access and the closeness of a water spring of excellent quality – Fonte da Figueira, located roughly 250 meters to the East of the castle, under the hilltop known as Forca (“the Gallows”). Good and plentiful farming land and cattle grazing fields can also be found near the castle. This medieval fortress was very important for border defense against the kingdom of Castile during the early 14th Century.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve:
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
Airglow and Milky Way from Pico do Arieiro
The strong airglow can be seen above the horizon in this panoramic view captured in the top of Madeira island, in Pico do Arieiro, at about 1810 meters high. Above the green pale light shines the Milky Way between the passing clouds. At the right top of the mountain, above the white/yellow dome – a military radar – shines the well known winter constellation of Orion and a further high to the left, stands the open cluster Pleiades (M45).
Canon 60Da – ISO2000 Exp. 30 Secs. 11mm at f/2.8.
ISS transiting the Summer Triangle
ISS crossing the arm of Milky Way reaching a magnitude of -3.2 above the land of Vila Boim, in Alentejo. In the top of the image, the path of International Space Station is transiting between the stars that forming the well known Summer Triangle, in that moment as seen from Earth, the ISS was reaching the Zenith, the point above our heads, the moment when it is also more close to us..
Canon 60Da – ISO 200, Exp.208 Secs at f/4 with a 11mm lens and a Vixen Polarie travel mount. Taken in 02-08-2014 at 22h30, during an exposure of consecutive 3.4 minutes.
Alqueva All Sky
This “all sky view” was captured in Monsaraz, in the back of Orada Convent, one of the regions covered by the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve. Besides the yellow light visible near the 360º horizon, coming from the villages around, we also can see the pale green tone from a smooth airglow presence. Near the center of the image, where the sky reaches the Zenith 90º, it´s clearly visible the North America Nebula, in Cygnus constellation. Below, between the palm trees, we find the central region of our Galaxy. The Milky Way is actually crossing the entire sky from horizon to horizon, with an arm of gas, dust and stars, with more then 180 degrees.
Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 11mm at f/2.8; Exp. 30 secs. in 27/07/2014 at 1:45 AM. All sky mosaic of 23 images.
Sky of Milk in a Lake of Fire – Azores
Azores is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal, composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. One of the islands is São Miguel, where we can find a beautiful lake in the crater center, called Lake of Fire, “Lagoa do Fogo”. Above it, the sky reveals the magnificent arc of our galaxy, the Milky Way, besides the light pollution coming from Vila Franca do Campo, a small town at the southern shore of the island, that illuminates the clouds near the horizon with the an orange tone. From left to right, we can see the swan (Cygnus) constellation, with its North America nebula (NGC7000) clearly visible below the Deneb star, down to the right, we can find Aquila. Sagittarius is covered by the cloud. Near the right limit, we find Scorpius and it´s super giant star, Antares, following to the right edge of the picture, it is visible the planet Saturn, in Libra.
Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 04/05/2014 at 3:45 AM. Mosaic of 21 images. Below is the annotated version.
A dreaming view from Heavens
A panoramic view from Roque de Los Muchachos on the Canary island of La Palma, where stands a huge complex with 15 telescopes, some of the largest telescopes in the world – many of them visible in the background – from 19 nations, that are using the best night sky in Europe to explore the cosmos.
In the foreground – both edges of the image – stands the MAGIC telescope I and II (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes). MAGIC-II is located at a distance of 85 m from the first MAGIC telescope (at right). The stereo operation of both telescopes has increased the sensitivity of the observatory by a factor of ~3. MAGIC-II (at left) is a copy of the original MAGIC-I but it has a more homogeneous camera with more pixels, and a refurbished readout. In 2012, in a major upgrading operation mostly concerning MAGIC-I, the two telescopes were made technically identical. MAGIC is not only huge (it was the largest telescope mirror in the world, with 17 meters in diameter, before the construction of H.E.S.S.) but also pioneers a number of technical developments that had never been applied to Cherenkov telescopes before. The mirror is extremely light and can be moved to any position in the sky in less than thirty seconds. It is made up of 270 individual mirror panels that can be independently focussed using an active mirror control system equipped with lasers.
Between the both giant Cherenkov Telescopes, stands the mountain top of the Roque de los Muchachos, where is placed from right to left, telescopes like Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), with a 10,4 meters primary mirror reflecting telescope (first silhouette), Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), that is a 3.6m alt-azimuth telescope with a Ritchey-Chretien optical configuration, Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) a modern 2.6-m optical/IR telescope, Dutch Open Telescope (DOT) an innovative optical telescope with a primary mirror of 45 cm diameter, for high-resolution imaging of the solar atmosphere, Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope (SST) is the largest solar telescope in Europe and number one in the world when it comes to high spatial resolution, and finally the great William Herschel Telescope (WHT), the largest optical telescope of its kind in Europe, with a primary mirror of 4.2 meters in diameter, is one of the most scientifically productive telescopes in the world.
Between the William Herschel Telescope and the MAGIC (at left) the sky shows the Pleiades star cluster M45, and a bit above, semi hidden behind the antenna we can find the deep sky object California nebula NGC1499. From left to right edge, the sky shows the presence of a strong green airglow of oxygen atoms (90-100 km high), and shining in the center image as an orange bands – normally from oxygen atoms at 150-300km high where the atmosphere is so sparse and collisions so infrequent that the atoms have time to radiate ‘forbidden’ light. Finally, against the MAGIC I (in the right corner of the picture), lies our own Galaxy, the Milky Way.
| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Mosaic of 19 images taken in 01/10/2013 at 00:04
Telescopes above the clouds in La Palma
A panoramic view from the top of El Roque de Los Muchachos, in La Palma Canary island, where stands a huge complex with 15 telescopes, some of the largest telescopes in the world – many of them visible in the background – from 19 nations, that are using the best night sky in Europe to explore the cosmos. The main telescopes visible in the image, are, from left to right: Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), The MAGIC I and IItelescopes (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes) as seen below in the center of the image, Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) with the silver dome, and William Herschel Telescope (WHT) the biggest white dome in the picture.
| Panoramica – Canon 50D – ISO500 18mm at f/5.6; Exp. 1/8000 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 15h45 AM
Daylight Panoramic view from Roque de Los Muchachos Telescopes
A panoramic view with the mountain of Roque de Los Muchachos, in La Palma Canary island, where stands a huge complex with 15 telescopes, some of the largest telescopes in the world – many of them visible in the background – from 19 nations, that are using the best night sky in Europe to explore the cosmos. From Right to Left we can see the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), The MAGIC I and II telescopes (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes), Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT), Dutch Open Telescope (DOT), Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope (SST) , William Herschel Telescope (WHT), Mercator Telescope, Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope (JKT) and Isaac Newton Telescope (INT).
| Panoramica – Canon 50D – ISO500 18mm at f/5.6; Exp. 1/8000 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 15h45 AM
Zodiacal Light, Milky Way and William Herschel Telescope
In this mosaic of 25 images, we can see the rocky silhouette between Los Andenes and Roque de Los Muchachos, where is the home to one of the most extensive fleets of telescopes to be found anywhere in the world, and where 15 telescopes from 19 nations are using the best night sky in Europe to explore the cosmos. The William Herschel Telescope (WHT) is one of them, with a primary mirror of diameter 4.2 meters, the telescope can be seen below right in the picture, with is dome opened, seems to pointing to the triangle formed in the middle of the picture by the smooth band of Zodiacal light (at left) which is crossing the Milky Way smooth region (at right), below the Orion constellation. These smooth bands are also important to let us find objects, like M44 above the rocks, and following the zodical light we find the planet Jupiter, the brightest star in the image. In the middle of Milky Way band, we can find the Rosette nebula. The Moon is shining in Cancer constellation, behind the rocks and below right to the star cluster M44 (NGC2632), so creating a blueish glow – more strong and evident – in the left half part of the picture.
| Mosaico – Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 05h50 AM Mosiac of 25 images.
The Universe Above the Clouds
In this mosaic image, captured in a height of 2,200 meters from the sea level, and above the clouds, we can see part of the Milky Way arc with a the central region rich in gas and emission nebulae. Near the horizon is Caldera de Taburiente – a very large volcanic crater with about 10 km across – that is full with clouds covering the city lights coming from La Palma. In the image is also visible some soft green airglow. The picture was taken in Pico de La Cruz, La Palma, Canary Island. The excellent quality of the sky for astronomy in the Canaries is determined and protected by Law.
| Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 26/09/2013 at: 23h37 Mosaic of 23 images.
Orion´s Shining in Los Canarios
Captured in Los Canarios, Fuencaliente, Canary island, above the landscape full of pine trees, the Orion stars are shining with it´s different colors, from blue to yellow/orange, like star Betelgeuse, or the Orion “violet” nebula, M42. | Near the horizon and above the clouds, is also visible a smooth yellow/green airglow effect. Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 28/09/2013 at: 2h23 AM
Milky Way above Caldera de Taburiente
In this mosaic image, captured in a height of 2,200 meters from the sea level, and above the clouds, we can see the central region of the Milky Way with Sagittarius constellation surrounded by a region rich in emission nebulae. Above the clouds and near the horizon of Caldera de Taburiente – a very large volcanic crater with about 10 km across – lies the “orange” star Antares, from Scorpius constellation as seen on the right side of the image. In the oposite direction (at left), we can see some green and orange airglow bands. The picture was taken in Pico de La Cruz, La Palma, Canary Island.
| Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 26/09/2013 at: 22h56 Mosaic of 20 images.
Milky Way in Monte Falperras
In this view captured in Monte Faperras, Mourão, one of the regions belonging to the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve, we could appreciate the great Milky Way above the Lake Alqueva. In this “strong” arm of our galaxy (from left to right) be present the swan (Cygnus), with its North America nebula (NGC7000) clearly visible. Down to the right, we still find the constellation of Sagittarius with many nebulas like: M16, M17, M24, M20; M8 and Scorpios, with the brilliant super giant star, Antares. In the top of the image, the bright star is Vega, from Lyra constellation, also forming the well known “Summer Triangle” with Deneb and Altair too. In the left edge of the image, between “Milky arc” and horizon, can be seen the Andromeda Galaxy M31. Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 24mm f/2 Exp 20 secs. In 15/07/2013 at 00:38 AM. Mosaic of 36 images
The Super Full Moon of 2013
Picture of the Largest Moon of 2013. This “Super Moon” was 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full Moons of 2013, was captured 2 km away from the subject, the Sesimbra´s Moorish castle. This huge Full Moon could be seen in the picture rising above the church Nossa Senhora do Castelo. It stands on the spot where king Sancho I built a Romanesque chapel in the early 13th century.
Canon 50D – ISO640; 1/80 sec. + ED80 APO refractor Astro Professional 560mm at f/7 taken in 23/06/2013 at 21h22
Below you will find a resume with all publications – printed and online – related to this particular photograph.
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Black and White View of the Milky Way
Black and white view of the Milky Way in a vertical picture where prevail the clouds of gas and star dust, which rise above the huge lake Alqueva, in the region of Mourão, about 15km of Monsaraz, both of them, places from Dark Sky Reserve in Portugal. In this amazing region, the sky reveals a contrast and depth even greater, since it is away from some sources of moderate light pollution.
Canon 60Da – ISO1600 Exp 15 secs. 35mm f / 2 – Mosaic of images taken in 8 15/06/2013 at 4:26 a.m. AM
From Moon to the Planets
Panoramic view over Almada City and Lisbon at the Nautical Twilight, with the Full moon rising above the Eastern horizon (right side of the image), while at the same time but in the opposite direction, the planets Venus, Mercury and Jupiter, are aligned in a triangle formation, setting in the Western horizon (left side of the image).In this panoramic picture is also visible the smooth light transition in the sky, with the end of Nautical Twilight and the beginning of Astronomical Twilight (almost night), at right. Facing to North, is visible the great lighted Monument Christ the King and at the left side of it, part of the 25 April Bridge that connects Almada to Lisbon.
Canon 50D – ISO200; f/4; Exp. 1,6 Sec; 35mm. Panoramic of 10 images with about 200º, taken at 21h42 in 25/05/2013. Below is the image with identification:
Starry cloudy twilight
Panorama of a Starry cloudy twilight above the Pedrogão´s Albufeira, in Moura, a region of great Alqueva´s Lake, covered by the Dark Sky Reserve. Jupiter, visible near the center image and low in the horizon, is the brightest star. Above it, is visible the entire constellation of Auriga.
Canon 60Da – ISO1250, f/2; Exp. 13s ; 24mm. 27/04/2013 22h52 AM
Spring Milky Way
With the arrival of spring, the Milky Way begins to be visible in the skies of Portugal at dawn, in this image, captured in Monsaraz, in the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve, you can watch it in plenty, thanks to this mosaic of 21 images that allows a large field of view, revealing this “arm” of our galaxy above the Convent of Orada (dated 1670).
Near the center and right of palm trees, the moon shines brightly, although not interfering with the giant arc of the Milky Way where it is possible to distinguish a lot of constellations like Ursa Minor, with the polaris star to the left of the image, until the swan (Cygnus), with its North America nebula (NGC7000) clearly visible, down to the right, we still find the constellation of Sagittarius and Scorpio, with the brilliant super giant star, Antares.
Canon 60Da – ISO1600 Lens 24mm f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Mosaic of 21 images, taken in 06/04/2013 at 5h32 AM.
Below is a special image with the identification
Tree of Plenitude
A tree alone in the Dark Sky. A Silence moment full of plenitude. Canon 60Da – ISO1250; 24mm; f/2.8; 13 secs at 06/04/2013 00h47
Below you will find a resume with all publications – printed and online – related to this particular photograph.
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The beauty deep sky shining above the land
Image taken near a small part of the largest manmade lake in Europe (250 sq km) and one of the world’s largest, called Alqueva. Around this area, we also can find some of the darkest sky regions in Portugal, like Monsaraz, inserted in Dark Sky Reserve Alqueva, the world’s first certified ‘Starlight Tourism Destination’.
From left to right, in the land, we could see the silhouette of the photographer, Babak Tafreshi, that was also making his images of the night sky. Next to the tree, we can see the light of the Monsaraz Castle, also reflected in the calm water of the lake, 30 minutes after the moonset.
Even with some light pollution coming directly from the village castle, the sky above shows a rich variety of deep sky objects that are visible in the infrared camera, like Canon EOS 60Da, as well a lot of star clusters, one asteroid and the Planet Jupiter. From left to right, in the sky, we could identify M46 and M47, M41, and above Sirius the Seagull nebula IC2177. Near the center top image, is visible another infrared emission from Rosette Nebula. Below, the Barnard´s Loop, Horse Head and Orion nebula M42, are strongest emissions indeed. A little bit to the right making the center upper image, is the Lambda Orionis (Sh2 264), Messia. Above the star aldebaran, is visible the open cluster NGC1647 and near to the left, the Vesta asteroid, and above it another open cluster the NGC1746. Below is the brightest sky object capturing in this image, the planet Jupiter, shining near the pleiades M45. In the upper right corner, is located the last infrared brightest deep sky object, the California nebula, NGC1499.
Canon EOS60Da – F/2 15s ISO4000 35mm lens. Mosaic of 24 images. Image taken in 22/12/2012 at 2:58 AM.
Sky Show above Monsaraz Castle
In this image taken inside the Monsaraz Castle, in the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, Portugal, we could see the Dark night with some interesting sky objects, like M46 and M47, M41, and above Sirius the Seagull nebula IC2177. Near the center top image, is visible another infrared emission from Rosette Nebula. Below, the Barnard´s Loop, Horse Head and Orion nebula M42. A little bit to the right above the star aldebaran, is visible the open cluster NGC1647 and above it another open cluster the NGC1746. Below is the brightest sky object capturing in this image, the planet Jupiter, shining near the pleaides M45, almost seting behing the wall castle. Above right, is located the California nebula, NGC1499.
Canon EOS60Da – F/2.8 Exp.13s ISO3200 35mm lens. Mosaic of 24 images. Image taken in 22/12/2012 at 4:31 AM.
The Beautiful LP
This image was taken in the Serra de Sintra, above the solar wall, a rock with about 30 meters in height, situated in the top of the mountain in the back of Sintra´s Castle and near the Pena´s Palace, where climbers usually do climbing and rappelling. Near the horizon we could see the dramatic effect of light pollution, but also, the beauty of Sintra Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on account of its 19th century Romantic architecture.
Canon 50D -ISO800 10mm F/4.5 Exp.15″. Image taken in 11/01/2012 at 21h39.
Above-panoramic view composed by 4 images, we could see at left, the strong light of Pena´s Palace, and at right between the forest, the beauty of Sintra Village as well as, the dramatic effect of light pollution.
Canon 50D -ISO800 10mm F/5.6 Exp.15″ in 11/01/2012 at 22h28.
By the Light of the Moon – Turning the Night, in Day
This amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean against the Rocky cliffs from Cabo Espichel, was only possible to be photographed during the night, due, to the strong light of the Moon that was almost full and could Light up all the dramatic and beatiful scene. In the sky, during two hours I could register the path of the brightest star in the celestial sphere ( Sirius), that is visible in the middle of image. The light of the moon like a trick of magic turned the night in day, with the sky staying blue. The white clouds near the horizon gave the last fine touch, in this quite and peaceful scene.
Canon 50D- ISO640 f/5 Exp. 20″ 10mm lens in 07/01/2012 between 22:56 and 00:59. Sum of 339 images.
Above- Panoramic image composed by 5 vertical photos.
Ilhéu de São Roque – Ponta Delgada
Panoramic image of the islet of São Roque in Ponta Delagada, Azores, obtained at 5:34 at the morning, and where we can see the effect of light pollution reflected in the clouds, in a contrast between nature and civilization.
Canon 50D – ISO800 F/4 30″sec. 10mm in 4/12/2011 at 05h34 | Panoramic picture, composed by 3 images taken at eep night around 05h34.
Lagoa das Sete Cidades at Night – Azores
Lagoa das Sete Cidade (English: Lake of the Seven Cities) is a twin-lake situated in the crater of a massive crater on the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. It consists of two ecologically-different small-lakes connected by a narrow passage (and crossed by a bridge), located inside a dormant volcano on the western third of the island of São Miguel. The Lagoa das Sete Cidades part of a natural landscape of communitarian interest: it is the largest body of water in the region and one of the most important freshwater resources in the archipelago. More info click here.
This place have a peculiar weather and we could see in this image taken at a deep night with a long exposure, a strange cloud formation that is around the volcano crater as well as all the light pollution reflected in the clouds, from the small village that exists in the center of the crater. The air planes normally avoid to fly above it.
Canon 50D – ISO800 F/4 180sec. 10mm in 4/12/2011 at 02h40 | Panoramic picture, composed by 3 images taken at deep night around 02h40, in a long exposure of 3 minutes for each photo.
Lightning Storm over Lisbon
Tempestade de Relâmpagos sobre Lisboa vista de Almada. Foram registados 21 relâmpagos em cerca de 22 minutos, entre as 21h18 e as 21h40. Soma total de 21 imagens.
Canon 50D- Exp.15″ F/10 ISO125 a 20mm 16-05-11
Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon
I made this sequence of images, in the night of the “Global Star Party”2011, in one of the most beautiful astronomical heritage of the world, the historic Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon. Above the front building, we can see the trails of Ursa Major, and in the image of the right side building, we can see the trail of moonset as well as the Gemini stars, Pollux and Castor, and behind the yellow main dome, the Menkalinan and Capella stars, from Auriga constellation. It was a great challange photographing the beauty of the place, against the high level of light pollution, in the midle of Lisbon. I made 3 separated images and also a composed image with all of 3 diferent views, in a portrait and landscape version. All the images were taken in the same night 09-04-2011 between 23:34 and 2:11. The History of OAL or AOL
1-Image above:
Canon 50D- Exp.13″ F/5.6 ISO500 10 mm – 145 images – Total: 31mts
2-Image above:
Canon 50D- Exp.20″ F/5.6 ISO500 20 mm – 154 images – Total: 51mts
Panoramic Full Moon
Panoramic Full Moon image when was at perigee, or closest orbital zone of planet Earth. This was the biggest full moon of the last 20 years, 14% bigger and 30% brighter. The images were obtained at Cape Espichel, Sesimbra, on 19-03-2011.Canon 50D – ISO800 15mm F/6.3 Exp. 25″ às 20:07
Canon 50D – ISO800 15mm F/6.3 Exp. 25″ às 20:07
Iridium Flares 58 e 95
Imagem de dois Iridum Flares o 58 e 95, captados em Vila Boim, no Alentejo. Iridium Flare – Reflexo das Antenas dos satélites artificias.
Iridium58: Canon 50D -ISO800 20mm F/5.6 Exp.30s em 25-07-10 às 23:49
Iridium 95: Canon 50D -ISO800 16mm F/5.6 Exp.29s em 23-07-10 às 23:52
Milky Way from Alentejo
Imagem da Via láctea obtida em Vila Boim, Elvas, Alentejo. Panorama composto por 4 single images.
Canon 50D -ISO3200 10mm F/4 Exp. 44s em 22-07-10 às 4:02AM
Crescent Moon and Venus over the Lisbon Bridge
Conjunção entre o planeta Vénus e a Lua crescente, sobre a Ponte 25 de Abril, em Lisboa, em 15-06-2010 às 22h02
Canon 50D – ISO500 F-5.6 Exp.-4″ 20mm.
The Espichel Skygazer
Imagens do Luar numa noite estrelada e simultaneamente enevoada, obtidas na zona rochosa do Cabo Espichel a 168m de altitude.
Above: Canon 50D -ISO800 F/5.6 Exp-30″ 20mm : 02-06-10 às 02h22.
Above: Canon 50D -ISO800 F/5 Exp-30″ 10mm : 02-06-10 às 02h18.
