2019 Sept. 28 ~ The constellations Crux and Centaurus setting in evening twilight from the Australian Outback
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Photographed 40 km south of Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, between 19.36 and 19.39 CAST (Central Australia Standard Time)
* Observing site: Long. 133.69° E. | Lat. 23.98° S. | Elev. 612m
* Altitude above the horizon of the top and bottom of the frame at the time of exposures: ~30° and ~6°
* Total exposure time: 2 minutes
* 50 mm focal length lens
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Description:
Perhaps the most exciting time for an observational astronomer is the hour or so after sunset, when the sky darkens, evening twilight falls, and the first stars begin to appear.
On this evening in the centre of Australia, the familiar shape of the Southern Cross (below centre in this view) and the brilliant stars Alpha and Beta Centauri (top of the frame, one above the other), made their appearance while there was still discernible skyglow in the west from the setting Sun.
Alpha Centauri (its proper name is Rigil Kentaurus) is the third brightest star in the sky (not counting our own Sun), and is outshone only by Sirius and Canopus. Beta Centauri (Hadar) is the 12th brightest star.
For a version of this photo WITH LABELS, click on your screen to the RIGHT of the photo, or click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/97587627@N06/49012167568
Here is a photo of the gear that used for astrophotography on this trip:
www.flickr.com/photos/97587627@N06/49017804808
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Technical information:
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens on Nikon D810a camera body, mounted on iOptron CEM40 equatorial mount
Four stacked frames; each frame:
50 mm focal length
ISO 2000; 30 seconds exposure at f/4; unguided
Stacked and minimally processed in Photoshop CS6 (brightness, contrast, bright star size reduction)
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2019 Sept. 28 ~ The constellations Crux and Centaurus setting in evening twilight from the Australian Outback
***************************************************************************
Photographed 40 km south of Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, between 19.36 and 19.39 CAST (Central Australia Standard Time)
* Observing site: Long. 133.69° E. | Lat. 23.98° S. | Elev. 612m
* Altitude above the horizon of the top and bottom of the frame at the time of exposures: ~30° and ~6°
* Total exposure time: 2 minutes
* 50 mm focal length lens
___________________________________________
Description:
Perhaps the most exciting time for an observational astronomer is the hour or so after sunset, when the sky darkens, evening twilight falls, and the first stars begin to appear.
On this evening in the centre of Australia, the familiar shape of the Southern Cross (below centre in this view) and the brilliant stars Alpha and Beta Centauri (top of the frame, one above the other), made their appearance while there was still discernible skyglow in the west from the setting Sun.
Alpha Centauri (its proper name is Rigil Kentaurus) is the third brightest star in the sky (not counting our own Sun), and is outshone only by Sirius and Canopus. Beta Centauri (Hadar) is the 12th brightest star.
For a version of this photo WITH LABELS, click on your screen to the RIGHT of the photo, or click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/97587627@N06/49012167568
Here is a photo of the gear that used for astrophotography on this trip:
www.flickr.com/photos/97587627@N06/49017804808
______________________________
Technical information:
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens on Nikon D810a camera body, mounted on iOptron CEM40 equatorial mount
Four stacked frames; each frame:
50 mm focal length
ISO 2000; 30 seconds exposure at f/4; unguided
Stacked and minimally processed in Photoshop CS6 (brightness, contrast, bright star size reduction)
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