Alone with ALMA
In the background we can see the arm of Milky Way full of gas and dust with the Zodiacal Light crossing the sky. 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.
Stargazing in a Cloudy Sky – Fulldome View of VLT
In this fish-eye fulldome picture, we can see a girl stargazing in 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 shy sky is showing a strong presence of reddish airglow. In the foreground, we also can see three of four movable Auxiliary Telescopes availabe in the Very Large Telescope plataform.
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.
Gegenschein, Milky Way and Airglow in a Fulldome Show
In the upper right side of the sky in this fish-eye (fulldome) picture, we can see the 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. In the upper left side, is also visible the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) and above it, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Surrounding the entire sky we can see the presence of green airglow, while, below, the Milky Way is setting in the horizon behind the VLT.
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 15/10/2015 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.
Profile of Antenna DV-21 from ALMA in the Twilight
After the sunset starts the nautical twilight and the sky assumes a beautiful pallete of blueish and orange colors, giving space to appearing the first stars of the some constelalltions. 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.
Monochrome vision from Olival da Pega dolmen
Anta of Olival da Pega, a megalithic monument dating from 3500-3000 BC, a monochrome vision similar to the perception that the human eye has, when it is under the stars | Sky of Monsaraz.! 21/04/2015- Telheiro | Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – Portugal!
Fulldome View of Zodiacal Light and Milky Way on ALMA
In the background, we can see in this fish-eye fulldome view, the arm of Milky Way full of gas and dust with the Zodiacal Light crossing the sky. 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.
Magellanic Clouds, Auxiliary Telescopes and the Milky Way
In the foregroound we can see the four movable Auxiliary Telescopes of 1.8 meters available in the VLT plataform, operating with the dome open, while in the background near the horizon is borning the Canopus star and above it, in the center of the picture, lies the Large (LMC) and Small (SMC) Magellanic Clouds showing its details and structure. Magellanic Clouds are two satellite galaxies from our own Milky Way. From down and along the upper right corner we can find the beautiful presence of Milky Way, our cosmic home.
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.
Magellanic Clouds, Satellite Galaxies From Our Own Milky Way
In the foregroound we can see three of four movable Auxiliary Telescopes of 1.8 meters available in the VLT plataform, operating with the dome open, while in the background near the horizon is borning the Canopus star and above it, in the center of the picture, lies the Large (LMC) and Small (SMC) Magellanic Clouds showing its details and structure. Magellanic Clouds are two satellite galaxies from our own Milky Way.
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.
Yepun Telescope and Magellanic Clouds
In the background, at the left side of Yepun VLT Telescope, we can see the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, while in center right of the image, the Zodiacal Light is coming up above the Milky Way that is lying behind the horizon.
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 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.
Work in Progress in Very Large Telescope
In the upper left side of this fish-eye view, we can see the Gegenschein, that is a faint brightening of the night sky in the region of the antisolar point. In the center, the Yepun VLT Telescope is rotating with his astronomy work in progress, while the right side of the image shows the Large (LMC) and Small (SMC) Magellanic Clouds shining bright. A shy part of the Milky Way is also visible along with the right edge.
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.
View to the top of Cerro Paranal
Panoramic view from VISTA telescope to the top of Cerro Paranal, where it is located the VLT. In the right side we can see the Milky Way behind a dark band of clouds. 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.
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.
Enjoying Venus corona above the Giant´s Causeway – Northen Ireland
In the image we can see a Skygazer enjoying the planet venus with a visible corona phenomenon between the Giant’s Causeway, near Bushmills, in northeast coast of Northen Ireland. Is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption, 60 million years ago. It was declared a World Heritage Site byUNESCO in 1986. Near the top edge of the image we can see the Pleiades star cluster.
Corona, is produced by the diffraction of light from either the Sun, the Moon or some bright planets by individual small water droplets and sometimes tiny ice crystals of a cloud.
ISO 2000, 30 sec, 16mm at f/2.8. In 20/03/2015 at 20:17
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.
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
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
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
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
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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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.
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 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
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
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
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