Lying on the Milky Way Arms
A tree lying on the Milky Way arm. 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
PT: Uma árvore que se percepita sobre os braços da Via Láctea | Parque de Noudar, Céu de Barrancos
The Milky Way behind an Olive Tree in Noudar Park
EN: Our own galaxy as seen from the land of Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, behind an Olive Tree from Noudar Park, in a tonal nuance that characterizes different nights of the year, allowing to show that the same celestial object is never seen in the same way, without losing the particular beauty that characterizes it and makes us dreaming with the magic and charm of a scenario under the stars | Mourão and Barrancos, Sky of Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve
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
PT: Visão da Via Láctea, a nossa própria galáxia vista a partir da Terra e da Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva nas nuances tonais que caracterizam as diferentes noites do ano, permitindo que o mesmo objecto celeste nunca seja visto da mesma forma, sem nunca perder a particular beleza que o caracteriza e nos faz sonhar com a magia e encanto de um cenário à luz das estrelas | Mourão e Barrancos, Céu da Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva
Stargazing the Comet Lovejoy
Captured in the land of Juromenha, Hotel Naveterra, in Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, we can see in the picture a stargazer trying to find with their own eyes and binoculars the glowing green head of Comet Lovejoy, located near the center of the image, in the constellation of Taurus. Canon EOS 6D; ISO 2500, Exp: 15s. with 35mm at f/2 taken in 11/01/2015 at 23h29m | for more pictures and time lapse about Comet Lovejoy, click here: A Short Journey from the Heavens of Dark Sky Alqueva up to the Comet Lovejoy!
PT: Observando com binóculos o cometa Lovejoy | Céu do Alandroal.
The Arm of Milky Way behind an Olive Tree in Noudar Park
EN: Vertical vision of the Milky Way, our own galaxy as seen from Earth and Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve in a tonal nuance that characterizes different nights of the year, allowing to show that the same celestial object is never seen in the same way, without losing the particular beauty that characterizes it and makes us dreaming with the magic and charm of a scenario under the stars | Mourão and Barrancos, Sky of Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve
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 | Canon 60Da – ISO2500 Exp. 30 Secs. 11mm at f/2.8 – Taken in 19/10/2014 at 22h23m.
PT: Visão vertical da Via Láctea, a nossa própria galáxia vista a partir da Terra e da Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva nas nuances tonais que caracterizam as diferentes noites do ano, permitindo que o mesmo objecto celeste nunca seja visto da mesma forma, sem nunca perder a particular beleza que o caracteriza e nos faz sonhar com a magia e encanto de um cenário à luz das estrelas | Mourão e Barrancos, Céu da Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva
Starry Sky in the Backyard of Casa do Monte in Noudar
Startrail from Orion sky region in the Backyard of Casa do Monte in Noudar
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
Castle Tower of Noudar and a Deep View of Milky Way
Castle Tower of Noudar and a Deep View of Milky Way | Canon 50D – ISO2500 Exp. 20 Secs. 35mm at f/2 taken in 20/10/2015 at 22h07
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
Sky View of Múrtega Creek in Noudar Park
Sky View of Múrtega Creek in Noudar Park
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
Venus at Dawn above Noudar Castle
Venus at Dawn above Noudar Castle
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
California and Pleiades at Noudar Park House
California and Pleiades at Noudar Park House
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
Ardila River and the Sky of Noudar
Ardila River and the Sky of Noudar | Canon 60Da – ISO2500 Exp. 30 Secs. 11mm at f/2.8 taken in 19/10/2014 at 21h26
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 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
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.
Andromeda Galaxy M31 with a Vixen Polarie
The Andromeda Galaxy is a spiral galaxy approximately 2.5 million light-years from Earth in the Andromeda constellation, captured in this wide view with a Canon 200mm lens f/2.8 and a travel and portable Vixen Polarie mount.
Also known as Messier 31, M31, or NGC 224, it is often referred to as the Great Andromeda Nebula in older texts. The Andromeda Galaxy is the nearest spiral galaxy to our Milky Way galaxy, but not the nearest galaxy overall. It gets its name from the area of the sky in which it appears, the constellation of Andromeda, which was named after the mythological princess Andromeda. The Andromeda Galaxy is the largest galaxy of the Local Group, which also contains the Milky Way, theTriangulum Galaxy, and about 30 other smaller galaxies. The 2006 observations by the Spitzer Space Telescope revealed that M31 contains one trillion (1012) stars:[8] at least twice the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy, which is estimated to be 200–400 billion. At 3.4, the apparent magnitude of Andromeda Galaxy is one of the brightest of any Messier objects,[15] making it visible to the naked eye on moonless nights even when viewed from areas with moderate light pollution. Although it appears more than six times as wide as the full Moon when photographed through a largertelescope, only the brighter central region is visible to the naked eye or when viewed using binoculars or a small telescope. (Text source – Wikipedia)
Captured in the sky of Monsaraz, Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, Portugal in 27/07/2014 at 4:10AM – Canon 60Da; ISO 2000, Exp: 45s. at f/2.8 with a Canon telephoto lens serie L at 200mm + Travel mount Vixen Polarie. Sum of 51 pictures combined in Maxim DL 5 with a total time integration of 38 minutes.
A Moonlite scene from Alvão
Taken in the top of Alvão mountain range, Vila Real, Portugal. The full moon helped to light up all the rocky scene in the landscape. In the sky, we can see the stars that forming the asterism of summer triangle. Canon 60D – ISO640; 11mm at f/2.8; Exp. 15 secs. Taken in 8-06-2014 at 25:51
Big Dipper above Waterfall of Agarez
In the image we can see part of the Big Dipper above the beautiful waterfall of Agarez, in Alvão mountain range, Vila Real, north of Portugal, in a moonlight scene .Canon 50D – ISO1600; 11mm at f/2.8; Exp. 30 secs. Taken in 8-06-2014 at 1:59 AM.
The Trails of North Pole in Lisbon Planetarium
Nowadays we can listen many talks around the word “startrails” and today, we can see thousands of pictures of startrails made in many different latitudes of the planet, facing to East, West, South and around the Polar Star, but have you ever thought how it would be a startrail captured from the North Pole? This kind of startrail is less often.
The height of the Polaris star varies with the latitude of each location. In Portugal for example, in average, the polar star is near 40 ° above the horizon, but at the North Pole, the Polaris is at the Zenith (90º), the point just above our heads, which makes – in a long photo exposure – that the track of each star near the horizon, is it shown as a parallel line, where those star never sets. But to realize this, nothing better than to see this long exposure of 25 seconds captured inside the 21 meters dome of our Lisbon Planetarium, Portugal, during a session where it simulates the rotation of Earth in the North Pole.
Canon 50D – ISO1250; Exp. 25 secs. f/4 at 10mm. In 17/05/2014 at 13:49.
Titan Skygazer, More then a Passion a Life Style
In the real dark nights, the magnificent presence of our home galaxy, the Milky Way, have been a true inspiration for musicians, poets, painters, writers and artists in general. Unfortunately, two thirds of the humankind, have not yet had the opportunity to see the Milky Way with their own eyes, to let fall in love by the beauty and greatness of the Universe around us, making us realize that the Earth is so important as the sky, and our planet has been our spaceship in the life journey through the time and space. In the foreground, we can see the silhouette of a passionate skygazer, embracing the sky like an Atlas Titan from Greek mythology, holding and protecting it from the low cloudy yellow band. Condemned not by Zeus, but by the light pollution created for the entire humanity. Captured the Lake of Fire moutain hill, in Azores, the background reveals Sagitarrius constellation at left, and Scorpius stars.
Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 04/05/2014 at 4:48 AM. Below is the annotated version:
Scorpius and Planets above the “Green Island” – Azores
Well known as the “Green Island”, this tipical colorful landscape from Santa Bárbara, in Ribeira Grande, Azores, shows the conection of nature between this rural landscape and the night sky, in this rare oportunity of clear sky, revealing the main stars of Scorpius at left, with the red giant Antares. Above right, in Libra constellation shines an “extra” star, which is actually the bright planet Saturn. At the same aparent altitude, on the right side we can find the blue star Spica, one of the main stars of Virgo constellation. At the right Edge of the picture, the strongest orange/red star, is the light coming from planet Mars. The light pollution reflected on the low clouds, coming from Ribeira Grande city, in the the opposite direction, was enough the light up all the green landscape.
Canon 60Da – ISO1600; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 03/05/2014 at 2:39 AM. Below is the annotated version.
Seven MAGICal Sisters
| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 23h30
In the foreground we can see the the great MAGIC I telescope (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes) with the back of it´s gigantic structure in front of Perseus constellation. At the right side of it, low in the sky and near the horizon, stands one of the most beautiful open star clusters in the celestial sphere, the Pleiades M45, well known as the Seven Sisters, or in portuguese: “Sete Irmãs”.
MAGIC is a system of two Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes situated at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, at about 2200 m above sea level. MAGIC detects particle showers released by gamma rays, using the Cherenkov radiation, i.e., faint light radiated by the charged particles in the showers. With a diameter of 17 meters and 236 m2 reflective surface, it was the largest in the world before the construction of H.E.S.S. II. MAGIC is not only huge, 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.
The cosmos and its evolution are studied using all radiation, in particular electromagnetic waves. The observable spectrum extends from radio waves to infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma-rays and finally very high energy gamma rays (starting at energies of 10 GeV). Observations at visible wavelengths (.5 to 1 micrometer) have a history of centuries, gamma astronomy by satellites (keV to few GeV) and ground-based telescopes (above 300 GeV) are end-of-20th century newcomers. The MAGIC telescope can detect very high energy gamma rays in a range of energies where no other telescope in the world can operate, so it opens up a brand new window into the universe.
Below is the annotated version with the identification of the main night sky objects.
Orion´s Shining Behind the La Palma Trees
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: 2h12 AM
La Palma Sky – An Impressive deep view of Milky Way
An impressive deep wide view of our home galaxy, the Milky Way, as seen from Los Andenes, La Palma Sky, Canary island. At left, near the rocky horizon and above the galactic center, we can see the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Trifid Nebula (M20), as well as M22, M23, M24 and M25, the Omega nebula (M17) and Eagle Nebula (M16). Two degrees north of the Eagle Nebula, we can find the NGC6604 and above it, in the center of the image (brightest area), the great Scutum Star Cloud. Near of it, we find the M11 and M26. Above the center image, we find the IC4756 and NGC6633. In the both corners of the picture we can find dark dust clouds. Above the rocky horizon of Roque de Los Muchachos (at right), where stands a huge complex with 15 telescopes, some of the largest telescopes in the world, we can find a faint presence of green airglow, where is also visible the silhouette from one of this telescopes.
| Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 44 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 00h33 AM + Vixen POlarie
Scorpius and Venus in Los Andenes
In this picture, taken in Los Andenes, near Roque de Los Muchahos, in La Palma, we could see the strong light of planet Venus (the strongest light in the image) inside the stellar asterism with a trapezium shape, that forms the Libra constellation. At the left edge of the image, we see the central region of Milky Way and the entire constellation of Scorpius, with is brightest star Antares. Below the horizon, we found an ocean of clouds, located inside the Caldera. The rocky silhouette is part of Roque de Los Muchachos, where stands a huge complex with the some of the largest telescopes in the world.
| Canon 60Da – ISO1600; 35mm at f/2; Exp. 13 secs. in 29/09/2013 at: 21h19 AM
Jupiter shining with Orion in Los Andenes
Above the horizon and clouds, at left, Jupiter is the brightest star shining in this view captured from Los Andenes, in the greatest night sky of La Palma, Canary island. In the center, lies the Rosette nebula. Above right, Orion Constellation shows besides the different color of each star, highlighted by orange Betelgeuse, we could see some deep sky objects like the Barnard´s Loop, and Lambda Orionis, was well near the “belt” stars, the Flame and Horsehead nebula, and below, the Runing Man nebula and the Great Orion Nebula with it´s impressive brightness. Other interesting object clearly visible in the image, is the NGC2175 the Monkey Head nebula, between the right center and corner of the image. To create the spikes in the star, was used a star filter in the front of the lens.
| Canon 60Da – ISO1250; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 49 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 02h37 AM + Vixen Polarie
Grantecan Lonely in the Universe
From lower left to the right side of the picture, we can see the silver dome open of Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), with a 10,4 meters primary mirror reflecting telescope. It is designed to incorporate the most up-to-date technology and it is one of the most advanced telescopes in the world, actually, the largest one until now in the optical-infrared system. At right edge, in the background, we can see the beautiful light coming from the central region of the “vertical” Milky Way, where the main stars of Sagittarius constellation are shining surrounded by a region rich in emission nebulae, like the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Trifid Nebula (M20), or even M23 and M24, – seen in the top right corner of the picture. Behind the GTC dome, the sky is smoothly shining as an orange airglow, 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.
The image was taken in Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) situated on the edge of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, 2.400 m. above sea level, on the island of La Palma, Canarias, Spain. It is home to one of the most extensive fleets of telescopes to be found anywhere in the world, and where 15 telescopes from 19 nations use the best night sky in Europe to explore the cosmos.
| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 22h25 AM
FACT Cherenkov Telescope in a Milky Way Backlight
Captured in the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM), situated on the edge of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, 2.400 m. above sea level, on the island of La Palma, Canary, Spain, the image shows in the foreground, the First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope (FACT), that is the first imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope using Geiger-mode avalanche photodiods (G-APDs) as photo sensors. The rather small, low-cost telescope will not only serve as a test bench for this technology in Cherenkov astronomy, but also monitor bright active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the TeV energy range. The First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope is assembled in Roque de Los Muchachos on the MAGIC site, mounted in the focus of one of the former HEGRA telescopes (CT3). In the background, the beautiful light coming from the central region of Milky Way, where the main stars of Sagittarius constellation are shining behind the telescope structure and surrounded by a region rich in emission nebulae, like the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Trifid Nebula (M20), or even M23 and M24, Omega nebula (M17) and Eagle Nebula (M16) – seen in the right edge of the picture in violet color – working as an impressive backlight that even without the presence of any other source of light, allow us to show the imposing dark silhouette of the FACT Telescope, with some of these nebulae and stars, reflected in part of the 9.5 sqm mirror area. More info related: DWARF – Dedicated multiWavelength Agn Research Facility.
The excellent quality of the sky for astronomy in the Canaries is determined and protected by Law. As a result, the observatories of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) are an “astronomy reserve” which has been available to the international community since 1979. Technical image details: Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 22h43 AM
Image of a startrail sequence taken at the same time, with the Milky Way dragged in the background.
| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Sum of 23 images taken in 30/09/2013 at 22:44
A Road to Big Dipper
The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) lies in the “end” of the road to Roque de Los Muchachos, where a stargazer is enjoying the great sky of La Palma. The excellent quality of the sky for astronomy in the Canaries is determined and protected by Law. As a result, the observatories of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) are an “astronomy reserve” which has been available to the international community since 1979. I´ve used a diffuse filter in the camera lens, to increase and highlight the main stars of Ursa Major.
| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 06h42 AM
Sirius Isaac Newton and Mercator Telescopes
Sirius shining in the Canis Major constellation seen above (from left to right) the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) with a 2.54-meter primary mirror with a focal ratio of f/2.94. Presently, the INT is used for wide-field imaging. At the right side of INT, stands the Mercator Telescope, with a 1.2 m quasi-robotic telescope which scientific niche is focused on monitoring variable celestial phenomena, with a large range in typical time-scales (pulsating stars, gravitational lenses, Gamma Ray Bursts, active Galactic Nuclei). Below Sirius, and above the dome of Isaac Newton Telescope, is visible the M41 star cluster.
| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 05h32 AM
Sirius and William Herschel
Sirius shining in the Canis Major constellation seen above the William Herschel Telescope (WHT), the largest optical telescope of its kind in Europe, with a primary mirror of diameter 4.2 meters. Its versatile and state-of-the-art instrumentation together with the superb sky quality of the Roque de Los Muchachos, the Observatory have made the WHT one of the most scientifically productive telescopes in the world.
| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 05h32 AM
UFO Moon in Los Andenes
This “UFO” view of the Moon above the rocks between Los Andenes and Roque de Los Muchachos, in La Palma Canary island, shows a stargazer that seems to come down from another planet. Above the moon – In the middle of the sky – the brightest star is actually the planet Jupiter that is in conjunction with the star Wasat, from Gemini constellation. The brightest star in the right top corner of the image, is Betelgeuse, from Orion constellation.
| Canon 50D – ISO2500; 10mm at f/4; Exp. 30 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 5h00 AM
Orion above the Rocks of Los Andenes
Orion Constellation behind a great rock from Los Andenes, near Roque de Los Muchahos, La Palma. Besides the different color of each star well visible in the picture, we could see some deep sky objects like part of the Barnard´s Loop, Lambda Orionis, or low left and above the rocks, the Rosette nebula.
Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 04h13 AM
Venus and Saturn in Libra from Los Andenes
The Nautical Twilight seen from Los Andenes, near Roque de Los Muchahos, in La Palma, where we could see the strong light of planet Venus (the strongest light in the picture) inside the stellar asterism with a trapezium shape, that forms the Libra constellation. In the same imaginary line which conects Venus to the Zubenelgenubi star, we can find the planet Saturn, the third brightest object in the picture (at the right side of the image) almost with the same brightness of Antares, from Scorpius constellation, visible in the top of the picture as an orange star. Below the horizon, we found an ocean of clouds, located inside the Caldera. The rocky silhouette is part of Roque de Los Muchachos, where stands a huge complex with the some of the largest telescopes in the world.
| Canon 60Da – ISO640; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 10 secs. in 29/09/2013 at: 20h58 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.
Sirius in a Lovely Morning Scene
A lovely moonlite scene captured in La Palma moutains, in Los Canarios, Fuencaliente, facing to the Atlantic Ocean. While Sirius, the brightest star in the northen hemisphere is shining blue and strong in the morning sky, the Teide volcano seems to emerge from the clouds in the horizon, with 3718 km is the highest point above sea level in the islands of the Atlantic Ocean and the world’s third largest volcano. In the image, is also visible the entire constellation of Canis Major, and below right the Sirius, is clearly visible the star cluster M41.
Canon 60Da – ISO1250; 24mm at f/2.8; Exp. 15 secs. in 28/09/2013 at: 4h22 AM
Lonely Pine Tree
A moonlite night sky with a lonely pine tree in Los Canarios region, Fuencaliente, La Palma. | Canon 50D – ISO3200; 10mm at f/4; Exp. 30 secs. in 28/09/2013 at: 3h13 AM
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
A Man Shadow in the Sky
It could be the silhouette of a being from other Universe watching us on Earth, but actually is my own shadow, captured during only part of the photo exposure. Near my neck region, it´s visible the star cluster M45, Pleaides, from Taurus constellation. At my right shadow shoulder (left area of the image) , we can see the stars from Perseus, and with attention, is softly visible the California nebula NGC1499. On earth we can see the silhouette of typical vegetation from Los Canarios, Fuencaliente, La Palma Canary island.
| Canon 50D – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2.8; Exp. 15 secs. in 28/09/2013 at: 0h21 AM
Air Glow, Milky Way and the Great Lake Alqueva
This serene view, captured on the great lake Alqueva, near the “Ermida de São Pedro” in Mourão, one of the regions belonging to the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, we find several scientifically interesting things. In the center of the picture we can see the natural colors of the most central region of the Milky Way, located near the Scorpio and Sagittarius constellation, where is it possible to recognize many deep sky objects like the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Trifid Nebula (M20). In the image was also possible to register a strong presence of Air Glow (Atmospheric Chemiluminescence) , the further thing I have seen similar to an Aurora, which crossed ahead the region of scorpion, with yellow light, by emissions from sodium atoms in a layer at 92 km. Above it, we could see the green light from oxygen atoms in a layer 90-100 km high. This emission layer is clearly visible from earth orbit.
Reflected in the peaceful lake and due to the polarization effect of water, we could clearly see the entire constellation of Scorpius with the real color of each star naturally saturated, due to this polarization and blurred effect, caused by the slowly movement of water during the long exposure. The orange color of the Red Supergiant Antares could be easily distinguished from the blue color of the Subgiant star, Shaula, in the end of tail. Canon 60Da – ISO 1600; 35mm lens at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Mosaic of 23 images, taken in 15/06/2013 at 02:35 AM
Below is the annotated version of the image:
Summer Triangle and Milky Way above Monte Bravo
In this view captured in Monte Bravo, Mourão, one of the regions belonging to the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, we could appreciate the great Milky Way with the presence of the well known “Summer Triangle”, an astronomical asterism on the northern hemisphere’s celestial sphere, with its defining vertices at, Deneb, Vega and Altair, the brightest stars in the three constellations of, Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila, respectively. But we also could see many infrared emissions coming from nebulas like the great North America Nebula NGC7000, clearly visible at the left side of Dened star, in Cygnus constellation.
Canon 60Da – ISO 2000; 10mm lens at f/4; Exp. 120 secs. Using Vixen Polarie Mount. Mosaic of 6 images, taken in 1~6/06/2013 at 03:34 AM
Below is the annotated version of the image:
Cassiopeia and Andromeda Galaxy in the Air Glow
This serene view, captured on the great lake Alqueva, near the “Ermida de São Pedro” in Mourão, one of the regions belonging to the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, we find several scientifically interesting things. In the left top corner of the image, we could find the Cassiopeia constellation and below the double cluster NGC 884 and 869. Almost in the center image, is clearly visible the great Andromeda Galaxy M31, in Andromeda constellation, the neighbor of Pegasus. Above the Alqueva Lake, is visible the strong presence of Air Glow (Atmospheric Chemiluminescence) , the further thing I have seen similar to an Aurora, with yellow light, by emissions from sodium atoms in a layer at 92 km. Above it, we could see the green light from oxygen atoms in a layer 90-100 km high. This emission layer is clearly visible from earth orbit.
Canon 60Da – ISO 1600; 35mm lens at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Mosaic of 7 images, taken in 15/06/2013 at 03:45 AM
Below is the annotated version of the image:
The North America Nebula and Sadr region (IC1318)
In this deep sky wide field view taken with a 70mm lens, we could appreciate a sky of endless colored stars, surrounding The North America Nebula (NGC 7000), an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, close to Deneb (the blue brightest star in the image center). At its right, we also could see the Sadr region, or IC 1318, a diffuse emission nebula surrounding Sadr or Gamma Cygni star (the second brightest star in the picture).
But why we can find this colorful diversity of stars ? “Astronomers came to understand that bluer stars are intrinsically brighter because they are more massive than white or red stars, and more massive stars burn much faster and hotter than less massive stars. The bluish type-O stars, for example, are only 30-50 times more massive than yellow-white stars like our sun. But O stars burn a million times brighter, so they have far shorter lifetimes. O and B stars only last a few million years before they die in spectacular supernova explosions, while cooler and less massive K and M stars burn steadily for billions of years”. Canon 60Da – ISO1600; 70mm f/4 Exp. 119 secs. + Vixen Polarie mount travel. In 5/07/2013 at 3:30 AM (sinlge frame).
Deep Milky Way above the Tree
Image of the milky way region above a tree located in Monte Alerta, Monsaraz, and where it is visible the nebula IC 1396 and above it, near the Deneb star (top center), the North America Nebula NGC7000. For 70mm close up view of the NGC7000 area, revealing a lot of colorful stars as well as the Sadr region, just click here.
Canon 60Da – ISO1600; 35mm f/2 Exp 74 secs. + Vicen Polarie Travel Mount. In 5/07/2013 at 2:07 AM
Big Dipper, Air Glow and Gravity Waves in Mourão Dark Sky
In this picture captured in the great lake Alqueva, near the “Ermida de São Pedro” in Mourão, one of the regions belonging to the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, we cloud see the strong presence of Air Glow (Atmospheric Chemiluminescence) involving the Big Dipper constellation (Ursa Major) with the green light from oxygen atoms in a layer 90-100 km high. This emission layer is clearly visible from earth orbit. In the image, is also visible the gravity waves effect. “These waves (internal gravity or buoyancy waves) abound in the stable density layering of the upper atmosphere. Their effects are visibly manifest in the curls of the stratosphere’s nacreous clouds, in the moving skein-like and billow patterns of the mesosphere’s noctilucent clouds and in the slowly shifting bands of the thermosphere’s airglow, as we could see in this picture and in the annotated version of this same image.
Canon 60Da – ISO 1600; 35mm lens at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Mosaic of 2 images, taken in 15/06/2013 at 04:04 AM
Below is the annotated version of the image:
After the Dark, comes the light
This is a panoramic photograph captured at dawn on the big lake Alqueva. In addition to the characteristic tones of a nautical twilight, in this case, morning, it is still possible to identify at left in the picture, the Big Dipper, lying down as it shaped farewell until next night … it is now time to rest, and give rise to the birth of the Sun King who will reign all day, filling with Life and Light, this beautiful planet that is our EARTH, from another perspective, seen as a small blue dot suspended in the Universe (the well known Pale Blue Dot).
Canon 60Da – ISO 1000, 35mm lens at f/2.8, Exp 13 secs. Panoramic of 13 images, taken in 15/06/2013 at 04:45 AM
The Alqueva´s Dawn sky
Taken just before dawn, in the region of Lake Alqueva and near the Chapel of St. Peter, in Mourão, where stars mingle with the rich tones of morning nautical twilight. On the left, the most visible reflection in the water belongs to the star Capella, as the extreme right over the horizon and through the tree, almoste hiden, is the Pleiades (M45). The upper cluster of stars in the image belongs to the central region of the constellation Perseus.
Canon 60Da – ISO1600 exp 15 seconds. 35 mm f/2.8 15/06/2013 at 04:34 AM
Milky Way in Daylight
A rocky region of Portinho da Arrábida, Portugal, with the center of Milky Way behind it, visible at the dawn – almost in the daylight – with the stars of Saggitarius and Scorpius clearly visible, while the sky is turning blue, slowly. Canon 60Da – ISO 1600; Exp.15 Sec; f/2.8; 24mm. In 11/05/2013 at 05h14 AM.
Below is the image with the sky identification.
Below you will find a resume with all publications – printed and online – related to this particular photograph.
Please refer the i-frame above, generated automatically from the overview page Press.
Cassiopeia Tree
The constellation of Cassiopeia between the branches of a dead tree. Image taken in Portinho da Arrábida. Canon 50D – ISO2000; f/2.8; Exp. 13 seg. a 35mm in 11-05-2013 at 04:32
The Big Dipper in a moonlit sky
The Big Dipper in a moonlit sky. Image captured above Pedrogão´s Albufeira, in Moura, a region of great Alqueva´s Lake, covered by the Dark Sky Reserve.
Canon 50D – ISO2000 ; f/4 ; Exp. 30s. ; 10mm. 27/04/2013 at 22h53
Lonely Canoe
Nautical Twilight and a smooth zodiacal light in the direction of Jupiter, visible near the center image, as the brightest star. Image captured in the Pegrogão´s Albufeira, a region of great Alqueva´s Lake, covered by the Dark Sky Reserve.
Canon 50D – ISO1250 ; f/4 ; Exp. 30s. ; 10mm. 27/04/2013 at 21h29
Smooth zodiacal light in the Lake
Nautical Twilight and a smooth zodiacal light in the direction of Jupiter, visible near the center image, as the brightest star. Image captured in the Pegrogão´s Albufeira, a region of great Alqueva´s Lake, covered by the Dark Sky Reserve. Canon 50D – ISO1250 ; f/4 ; Exp. 30s. ; 10mm. 27/04/2013 at 21h25
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.
Please refer the i-frame above, generated automatically from the overview page Press.
Embracing the Sky
A stargazer fascinated with a sky plenty of stars. Image taken in the Alqueva lake, in the Dark Sky Reserve, Portugal. Canon 50D – ISO1600; 24mm f/2.8; 15 secs. Taken in 06/04/2013 at 00h04.
Orion, Jupiter and Pleiades from Cape Espichel
Image captured in Cape Espichel, Sesimbra, 40km away from Lisbon, we could see above the rocky cliff, some of the (well known) winter constellations visible from the northen hemisphere. Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 63sec; f/4; 10 mm. Below is the annotated version:
Orion´s IR Sequence Zoomed
In the left sequence image, captured in Cape Espichel, Sesimbra, 40km away from Lisbon, we could see above the rocky cliff, some of the (well known) winter constellations visible from the northen hemisphere. But in this triple sequence, I pretend to highlight the Orion´s constellation as it seen in a Infrared DSLR camera, when you switch between different focal distances. With only a single shot for each different image and using between 10, 35 and 300 mm, we can go deeply in the sky from a wide field of view where fits perfectly: Canis Major, Orion, Jupiter and Pleiades, to a close approach where deep faint sky objects, like: Barnard´s Loop or Lambda Orionis, are revealed surrounding the Orion´s Constellation itself (central sequence image). Finally, with a short field of view due to the 300 mm long focal distance, we can dive into Orion to find the Great Orion Nebula M42 and M43, as well as other deep sky objects visible in the labeled picture (last sequence image).
To do this work I´ve used the incredible Vixen Polarie mounting, to avoid the Earth rotation, and a Canon 60Da, a camera sensitive to the infrared/H-alfa wavelengths.
First sequence image (wide field skyscape): Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 63sec; f/4; 10 mm | Central sequence image (Orion´s Deepsky objects): Canon 60Da – ISO1250; 30sec; f/2.8; 35 mm | Last sequence image (Close Up M42): Canon 60Da – ISO1250; 30sec; f/5.6; 300 mm. Images taken in 07/02/2013.
Below is a special image with the identification of all deep sky objects that can be seen, and the relation with the different focal distances.
Below you will find a resume with all publications – printed and online – related to this particular photograph.
Please refer the i-frame above, generated automatically from the overview page Press.
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.
The planet Jupiter shining in Taurus
In the image, taken inside the Monsaraz Castle in the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, Portugal, facing to the constellation of Taurus, is visible the planet Jupiter at the right side of Aldebaran star. Above, is also visible the open cluster NGC1647, and close to it, the Vesta asteroid. Below in the image, above the Rocks from the wall castle, is clearly visible the M45, well known as Pleiades, the 7 sisters.
Canon 60Da – 35mm F/2.8 Exp.10s ISO3200 taken in 22/12/2012 4:13 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 M45 and the Tree
The M45 Pleiades photographed above a tree in the Monsaraz region. Portugal. Canon EOS60Da – F/2.8 Exp.15s ISO1000 35mm lens. Taken in 22/12/2012 at 1:50 AM.
The Blue Sirius
In this picture captured from the walls of Monsaraz Castle, we can see the entire Canis Major constellation, the star cluster M41, and the brightest star in the celestial sphere, with -1.46 mag. In this image Sirius is shown with unusual strong sparkles, not only produced by a photo star filter attached in the front lens of the camera, but also due to the strong dew which increase the diffusion and saturation effect, showing so, the true blue color of this star, for being at a hot temperature of 25,200K.
Canon 60Da – ISO3200 35mm f/2.8 Exp.13s in 22/12/2012 at 04h18 AM
Below you will find a resume with all publications – printed and online – related to this particular photograph.
Please refer the i-frame above, generated automatically from the overview page Press.
The Sky above Almendres Cromlech
The Cromlech of the Almendres megalithic complex (or Almendres Cromlech), located near Guadalupe, in the civil parish of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, municipality of Évora, is the largest existing group of structured menhirs in the Iberian Peninsula, and one of the largest in Europe. This archaeological site consists of several megalithic structures: cromlechs, and menhir stones
The construction of these structures date back to VI millennium B.C., and only rediscovered in 1966 by Henrique Leonor Pina. The construction phases, Almendres I date 6000 B.C and the Almendres II, date 5000 B.C Middle Neolithic. The relative chronology of the cromlech and menhirs is extremely complex and covers a period from the Neolithic to Chalcolithic, and it is believed that the monument had a religious/ceremonial purpose, or functioned as a primitive astronomical observatory.
About a dozen monoliths present some form of carved drawings,four of which exhibit only small circular holes. Monolith number 8, with a cut flat top at about breast level and showing several dimples, might have served for finer astronomical observation, specially spring equinox observation, by putting small stones on them. These observations might be made from stone 39, on the eastern focal point of the elliptic layout. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CromelequeAlmendres.png) Menhir 48, also exhibits a schematized anthropomorphic representation, surrouned by circles and associated with a crozier.
In the sky image, is visible the Orion Constellation above the stone circle, and the shadows of the stones projected in the land, due to the light of the moon which light up the landscape from the oposite site. Canon 50D – ISO 1250; f/4; Exp.30s 10mm em 20/12/2012 at 20:09
Auriga, Taurus, Jupiter and Pleiades
This image was captured in the Adraga´s beach, in Sintra, Portugal, where we could see a delicate silhouette of the Sintra´s mountain, and above it, the great Auriga constellation, as well as Taurus and near Aldebaran star, (at left side) the planet Jupiter shinning. Above it, in Taurus constellation, are clearly visible the great star cluster, Pleiades (M45).
Mosaic of 12 images taken in 02/12/2012 at 20:29
Canon 60Da, 13 seg. a f/2.8, ISO 2000, Dist. Focal: 35 mm
Below: Image with star identification
Signs of Winter
This image was captured in the land of Juromenha, near Alandroal, one of the regions covered by the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve (www.alquevadarksky.com), distinguished as the Worlds First Star Light Tourism Destination. The image reveals two bright stars of the summer triangle (Altair and Vega) low in the West horizon, just about 3 hours after the sunset, as a reminder that the summer is going away until the next year. The low clouds are also reforcing this idea, fortunately, we still could watch the Milky Way as a background layer with another kind of nebulosity, with a lots of dust, gas and star clusters. In the foreground, making a dramatic and contrasting view, are two great olive trees, the tree that really represents the landscape of Alentejo, in Portugal.
Canon 50D – 35mm f/1.8 13″ at ISO 2500. Mosaic of 24 images, taken in 05/10/2012 between 22h13 and 22h25. Image with annotation.
Stellar Alignment
Alignment between Vénus (below), Jupiter (center) and Pleiades M45, (in the top). Image taken in Vila Boim, Alentejo, Portugal, befor dawn and during the nautical twilight in 27/07/2012 at 05:00 AM
Canon 50D, 8 seg. a f/2.8, ISO 1250, Dist. Focal: 35 m
Enjoying a Celestial View
Image taken in Vera cruz, Portel, one of the regions inside de Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve. The image was taken near the church where it is the piece wood of the Jesus Christ cross. In the land, a stargazer women is enjoying the celestial view of the sky.
Canon 50D, ISO 500 with 35mm at f/4 Exp.4″. 14/07/2012 at 2:47 Am
Alqueva´s Lake at night
Images taken in Portel, one of the regions inside de Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, The world’s first certified ‘Starlight Tourism Destination’. In the land, we could see one of the world’s largest manmade lakes (250 sq km). In the sky, it´s clearly visible many star clusters as well as the great Andromeda Galaxy and some part of the Milky Way.
Sum of 18 mosaic images, taken with a Canon 50D, 15 sec, at f/1.8, ISO 2500, Lens: 35mm in 16/07/2012 at 2:51 AM
A Moon magical moment, in Almourol Castle
The castle of Almourol is one of the more emblematic and cenographic medieval military monuments of the reconquest, and the best representation of the influence of the Knights Templar in Portugal. Located on a small islet in the middle of the Tagus River, in Vila Nova da Barquinha, in the centre region of the country. The castle was conquered in 1129 and it was part of the defensive line controlled by the Knights Templar, and a stronghold used during the Portuguese reconquest.
In this magical black and white scene, is visible the Moon and above it, the planet mars.
Canon 50D – ISO500 f/4.5 12mm Exp.20″ in 01-05-2012 at 2h06 am.
Venus and the Seven Sisters
Image of the conjunction between Venus and M45 Pleiades in the middle of the trees, taken in Fonte-de-Telha, a small pine forest in Portugal facing to the Atlantic Ocean. In the image we also can see myself enjoying the star with binoculars in a peaceful moment.
Canon 50D – ISO640 F4 35mm Exp. 6″ in 04-04-2012 at 22:51
Venus, Pine Tree and the Seven Sisters
Image of the conjunction between Venus and M45 Pleiades in the middle of the trees, taken in Fonte-de-Telha, a small pine forest in Portugal facing to the Atlantic Ocean. In the image we also can see myself enjoying the star with binoculars in a peaceful moment.
Image above:
Canon 50D – ISO640 F4 35mm Exp. 8″ in 04-04-2012 at 22:07
The house and the tree
Image from Monsaraz region, one of the locations covered by the great Dark Sky Reserve area and that had the best dark sky measures in the process of Starlight validation.
Covering 3000sq km in southern Portugal the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve is the first area in the world to be internationally certified as a Starlight Tourism Destination by the Starlight Foundation. More info at: www.darkskyAlqueva.com.
Canon 50D – ISO 2500 f/1.8 50mm Exp. 8″ in 25-02-2012 at 22:05
Light Workshop
Image obtained in Portinho Arrábida, Portugal, during a practice session of a workshop of astrophotography that I drove for about 15 students on February 17, 2012. While in the beach is possible to see many lights of different colors due to the constant movement of the photographers along the sand, in the sky, above the slope of Arrábida, facing to Southwest West, you can see the trails of well known stars as Sirius, Procyon or Betelgeuse and constellations like Canis Major and Minor, Orion or Taurus.
Canon 50D -ISO1250mm 10mm F/4 Exp.30s. Sum of 150 images in a total integration of 75 minutes.
Solar Wall
This image was taken in the Serra de Sintra, near the solar wall, a rock with about 30 meters in height, where climbers usually make climbing and rappelling.
Canon 50D -ISO800 10mm F/4 Exp.25″. Image taken in 12/01/2012 at 00h44
Sintra Enigmatic View
In this image taken in the middle of the Sintra hills, we can see through the branches of trees many stars, below left, the bright star is the planet jupiter, in the same vertical line, near the top left, we find the pleiades and in the oposite location, in the right corner of the image, the Polaris Star. Near the horizon, the orange bright lights come from Sintra´s Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on account of its 19th century Romantic architecture.
Canon 50D -ISO800 10mm F/4 Exp.25″. Image taken in 12/01/2012 at 00h40.
Crescent Moon and Venus at the Ocean
In the image we could see the Crescent Moon in the Sagittarius constellation, and below them, 3º above the horizon, the planet Venus. The Moon shows a strong Earthshine effect, for being just 9% directly iluminated by the Sun. The image was taken in Costa da Caparica beach, facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Canon 50D- ISO640 f/2.5 Exp. 3.2″ 50mm lens in 27/11/2011 at 18h25.
The Beauty side of Light Pollution
This image was taken about 30km away from Lisbon, 300 meters high in the Arrábida mountain Range, facing the North-west. In the image we could see the huge amount of light pollution coming from the capital of Portugal, Lisbon, as well a lot of air trafic. But above the sky, there are persistent stars and constellations, that still shine in the orange sky. Are they: Aquila, Delphinus, Sagitta, Vulpecula, Cygnus, Lyra, Draco, Ursa Minor. The main path at the left edge is the Altair star. Near the horizon in the middle of the image we could see the Vega star and above it, the Deneb path. In the right top corner, is clearly visible the trail of Pherkad e Kocab, from Ursa Minor, with his curve path for being near the Polaris
Canon 50D – ISO500 10mm f/5 Exp.30″ in 17/11/2011 between 21h42 and 23h38.Sum of 214 images in a total integration of 107 minutes.
Draconids Shower
In Portugal with the moon almost full, the Draconids outburst was very faint, altough, I have registered a few meteors that escaped from the light of the moon.
Image taken from Arrábida Mountain range, in Setúbal, Portugal. 08-10-2011 at 21h11.
Canon 50D -ISO640mm 10mm F/4 Exp.30s
Above – Zoomed image
Raining Stars
Rastos de estrelas como chuva caindo sobre um pequeno pinhal na Fonte-de-Telha. Imagem obtida na noite das Perseidas em 13-08-2011 entre as 00h14 e a 01h23. Soma de 75 imagens alternadas cada uma de 25 segundos, totalizando uma integração de 31 minutos. São visiveis diversas constelações como Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Perseus, Andromeda, Pegasus e o planeta Júpiter.
Canon 50D -ISO800mm a 12mm F/6.3 Exp.25s por cada imagem
The Light Surrounding the Axis
Rotação das estrelas que circundam a região da estrela polar, registado no Alentejo, em Vila Boim, em 1-07-2011 entre as 00h53 e as 04h41. Soma de 420 imagens cada uma de 30 segundos, totalizando uma integração de 3h30 minutos. São visíveis as distintas cores das estrelas de várias constelações tais como: Ursa Menor, Ursa Maior, Canes Venatici, Draco, Cepheus, Camelopardalis e ainda de Cassiopeia. Em baixo à direita imagem legendada com as principais constelações.
Canon 50D -ISO1250 10mm F/4 Exp.30s por cada imagem.
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
Moonlit Trees and a Starry Cloudy Sky
Imagens da Lua na fase quase cheia, iluminando as paisagens com uma luz tão intensa que quase parece de dia. Na imagem vertical obtida num pinhal na Fonte-de-Telha podemos ver algumas estrelas brilhantes por entre os ramos de um pinheiro, destacando a Estrela Sírius e a constelação de Orion, totalmente visivel ao centro da imagem e por entre os ramos do pinheiro. Na imagem Horizontal em baixo, é possível observar uma bonita formação de nuvens e à esquerda são visíveis as Pleiades.
Canon 50D – ISO640 10mm F/4 Exp. 15″ 15-02-11 22:16/23:39
Sirius e Orion na Torre de Belém
Sirius e a Constelação de Orion por detrás da Torre de Belém, em Lisboa. Imagem obtida em noite de Lua Cheia, a 20-01-2011 entre as 01h47 e as 02h20. Soma de 62 imagens cada uma de 30 segundos, totalizando uma integração de 32 minutos.
Canon 50D -ISO250 15mm F/9 Exp.30s por imagem
The Starting of Nautical Twilight
Imagem do céu estrelado obtida no Alentejo no começo do Crepúsculo Nautico, às 5h00 AM de 22-07-2010. Pode ainda ver-se uma formação de nebulosidade como se de uma aurora se trata-se. É interessante verificar o início do dia a nascer onde o azul da atmosfera reflectida pelos primeiros raios de Sol se começa a misturar com o escuro da noite, ainda visível no topo da imagem.
Canon 50D- 30″ a F/4 ISO3200 10mm 22-07-10 5h00am
Polaris and Shadow by the light of the Moon
Na imagem podemos observar a minha sombra reflectida no fundo de uma piscina, através da sua água límpida e cristalina, projectada pela forte luz da Lua quase cheia 64% iluminada, que se encontrava à esquerda das minhas costas, a Sul Sudoeste no Azimute 207º. Eu estava virado a norte e apontando para a constelação da Ursa Menor, no centro da imagem, mais precisamente para a estrela Polar.
Canon 50D-F/4 ISO1000 Exp-30s 10mm 19-07-10 22h19
Arrábida´s Mountain Startrail
Imagem do movimento das estrelas registado ao longo da noite com a lua cheia a iluminar o céu a Sudeste, no dia 26 de Abril de 2010, entre as 22h04 e as 23h08. Para o resultado final foi feita uma soma manual de 108 imagens no CS3 cada uma de 30 segundos, totalizando uma integração de 54 minutos, com uma Canon 50D a uma abertura F-5.6 a ISO 500, com uma Lente Sigma HSM EX a 10mm. Imagem obtida no Portinho da Arrábida, na Serra da Arrábida, Setúbal.
São visíveis várias estrelas assinaladas na legenda da imagem o no video motion, destacando de entre várias, as mais brilhantes como: Sirius, Betelgeuse, Castor, Pollux, Alphard, Alhena, Menkalinan, Alnath…etc.
Céu Estrelado no Convento
Imagem do céu estrelado no convento do Cabo Espichel. Na imagem de baixo pode ver-se a identificação das respectivas constelações.
Canon 50D – ISO3200 10mm F/4 Exp. 25s em 05-04-10 às 23:32
Arrábida Night Lights
Imagem do movimento das estrelas registado ao longo da noite com a Lua quase cheia, no dia 26 de Março de 2010 entre as 22h43 e as 23h01 Para o resultado final foi feita uma soma manual de 33 imagens no CS3 cada uma de 30 segundos, totalizando uma integração de 18 minutos, com uma Canon 50D a uma abertura F-5 a ISO 800, com uma Lente Sigma HSM EX a 10mm. Imagem obtida na Serra da Arrábida. Setúbal.
Panorâmica na Serra da Arrábida
Panorâmica de 7 imagens a partir da Serra da Arrábida a 400m de altitude, apontando a Norte, apanhando toda a região a Sul do Rio Tejo, até Lisboa, linha mais brilhante no horizonte.
Canon 50D – ISO 800 F-6.3 10″ a 14mm em: 26-03-10 às 23:57
Sky lights of Lisbon
Imagem do movimento da Lua registado ao longo da noite no dia 17 de Fevereiro de 2010, entre as 20h29 e as 21h30. Para o resultado final foi feita uma soma manual de 111 imagens no CS3 cada uma de 30 segundos, totalizando uma integração de 60 minutos, com uma Canon 50D a uma abertura F-5 a ISO 125, com uma Lente Sigma HSM EX a 15mm. Imagem obtida em Almada, junto ao Rio Tejo.
São visíveis vários rastos de aviões que se movimentam em direcção ao aeroporto de Lisboa, assim como o rasto da Lua Crescente e de algumas estrelas da constelação de Andromeda, Pegasus e Carneiro. Junto ao horizonte lisboeta é ainda visível o rasto luminoso de um navio que se movimenta em direcção ao Oceano Atlântico.
Image published in National Geographic, click here.
In the limit of naked eye detection
Rasto das estrelas da constelação Piscis Aaustrinus, obtida no histórico Castelo de Sesimbra, em 02-10-2010 entre as 00h30 e as 02h17. Soma de 199 imagens cada uma de 30 segundos, totalizando uma integração de 1h40 minutos. Na imagem é possível ver todas as estrelas de fraca intensidade quase no limite de detecção da visão humana a olho nu, que constituem a constelação acima referida. O rasto mais brilhante é o da estrela Fomalhaut, a principal da constelação Piscis Aaustrinus.
Canon 50D -ISO80 50mm F/13 Exp.30s por imagem.
scis Austrinus
O Céu do Cabo Espichel
Imagens do céu em noite de lua cheia, obtidas nas zonas rochosas do Cabo Espichel a 168m de altitude.
Canon 50D – ISO 800 F-4 Exp. 20″seg. – Sigma Ex-series 10mm. Sequência de imagens obtida em 28-01-2010 entre as 22h07 e 00h07
Orion no Farol do Cabo Espichel
A constelação de Orion é bem visível no canto superior esquerdo da imagem, ao lado do famoso farol do Cabo Espichel. Inaugurado em 1790, em 1865 era alimentado por azeite, mudando de combustível em 1886, quando a sua luz passou a ser alimentada por incandescência de vapor de petróleo e, muito mais tarde em 1926 por electricidade. Mede 32 metros de altura e encontra-se a uma altitude de 168m. Presentemente o seu alcance luminoso é de 42 milhas náuticas, cerca de 67 km.
Canon 50D ISO 800 F-5.6 Exp.- 20″ a 20mm em 27-01-2010. Obtida às 23h02
Pine Tree startrails – Rasto de Estrelas
Imagem do movimento das estrelas registado ao longo da noite no dia 14 de Dezembro de 2009 entre as 2h51 e as 4h27. Para o resultado final foi feita uma soma manual de 175 imagens no CS3 cada uma de 30 segundos, totalizando uma integração de 87.5 minutos, com uma Canon 400D a uma abertura F-4 a ISO 800, com uma Lente Sigma HSM EX a 10mm. Imagem obtida na Fonte-de-Telha.
Stars in Motion…
Imagem do movimento das estrelas registado ao longo da noite até ao crepúsculo matinal, no dia 1 de Setembro de 2009. Para o resultado final foi feita uma soma manual de 68 imagens no CS3 cada uma de 30 segundos, totalizando uma integração de 34 minutos, com uma Canon 400D a uma abertura variável entre F-3.5 e F-5 a ISO 400 com a lente a 18mm.
Na imagem podem ver-se várias constelações nomeadamente a constelação de Orion, diversas estrelas como Sirius, Betelgeuse ou Rigel e até a nebulosa de Orion M42, assim como os planetas Marte e Vénus.
A imagem foi obtida no Alentejo, em Vila Boim, Portugal entre as 5:16 e as 5:59 da manhã em 1-09-2009. Na imagem podem ver-se as direcção E e um pouco NE assim como a zona SE, o que evidencia a curvatura no rasto por apontar para o equador celeste, sendo que as estrelas mais à direita SE, curvam para a direita e as no centro, equador celeste, mantêm um rasto rectilíneo. Já as que se encontram mais ao canto superior esquerdo evidenciam uma curvatura para a esquerda. Esta é também uma forma comprovativa de que o Mundo é realmente redondo.
Vénus e as Pleiades em cima
Vénus em baixo à esquerda, ao centro Marte e as Pleiades mais cima. Vila Boim, Alentejo. Canon 400D – ISO 800 18mm F/3.5 25sec. 27-07-09 às 05:09
