light pollution

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Developer news items we found relating to light pollution

17 results

Astrophotography filters: How narrow is too narrow

Saturday, June 29, 2024 by Jim Thompson

For many years now I have been promoting the idea that for emission nebulae, whether you have light pollution (LP) or not, the narrower your filter’s pass bands are, the better. Time and again my test results have demonstrated this relationship to be true; that object contrast and signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) increase as the pass band width decreases. Recently howe...

Stargazing in Namibia with Sisco Auala and Marc Wolt

Friday, June 28, 2024 by Russ Scritchfield

Namibia's exceptionally dark skies offer some of the best conditions for astronomical observations globally. Dr. Sisco Auala and Marc Klein Wolt highlight the significance of Namibia's contributions to global astronomy through projects like the Africa Millimetre Telescope. Stargazing in Namibia with Dr. Sisco Auala and Marc Klein Wolt This initiative ...

Stargazing trip preparation guide from Tsula

Thursday, June 27, 2024 by Freeman Lightner

Planning a stargazing trip involves careful preparation to ensure an enjoyable and productive experience. To start, selecting the right equipment is essential. You’ll want a telescope or binoculars that are portable and easy to set up, especially if you’re heading to a remote location. Consider the power requirements of your equipment as well, ensuring you h...

Canada sky glow is less than in the United States

Thursday, June 27, 2024 by Richard Harris

Recent observations show that Canadians generally experience less sky glow than Americans. This difference is mainly due to varying population densities and urban development patterns between the two countries. With its vast wilderness and lower population density, Canada has fewer urban centers contributing to light pollution. Why Canadians have less Sky-Glow than A...

Light pollution decreased in LA county thanks to Kathryn Barger

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 by Richard Harris

Rod L. Kaufman, the chair of the light pollution committee for the Los Angeles Astronomical Association, recently awarded a plaque of appreciation to county Supervisor Kathryn Barger at the Mount Wilson Observatory. This recognition was for her contributions to reducing light pollution in the Santa Clarita Valley. Light pollution decreased, and Kathryn Barger recogni...

Starfront observatory now accepting and installing telescopes

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 by Richard Harris

Bray Falls provided an in-depth tour of the telescopes already set up at the remote observatory in Central Texas. This project aims to make astrophotography accessible and affordable by allowing people to use their telescopes remotely from dark skies, wherever they live. The observatory features buildings where the roofs open every night, enabling users to capture image...

The peace and connection of solitary astro imaging

Friday, June 14, 2024 by Richard Harris

Venturing out alone to dark sites for astrophotography offers a unique sense of peace and connection to the universe that can be missed when in groups. The solitude under the night sky can be profoundly calming and introspective. However, safety is always a concern when venturing out alone. Inform someone about your location and expected return time, carry necessary saf...

Blaze Star T Coronae Borealis will erupt soon

Friday, June 7, 2024 by Richard Harris

Between now and September, the binary star system T Corona Borealis (T CrB) is expected to undergo a nova eruption and even folks without a telescope will be able to see it. Keep your eyes on the sky - Blaze Star T Coronae Borealis will erupt soon This will take T CrB from around 100 times fainter than is possible to see with the naked eye (even in the ...

Gaia BH3 black hole discovered by Pasquale Panuzzo

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 by Freeman Lightner

Astronomers have recently identified a dormant black hole, named Gaia BH3, which has been recognized as the largest ever found in the Milky Way. Situated 1,926 light-years away in the constellation Aquila, this black hole does not seem to be disrupting its companion star, unlike more active black holes. The discovery was made by Pasquale Panuzzo and his colleagues at...

Worlds highest telescope TAO looks up for the first time

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 by Freeman Lightner

Japan recently inaugurated the University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO), situated atop Cerro Chajnantor in northern Chile's Atacama desert at an elevation of 18,504 feet (5,640 meters). Achieving its "first light" this week, TAO is a 6.5-meter aperture telescope funded in part by the Japanese government, designed to observe infrared light. It is uniqu...

50 hours on the M106 galaxy at 1200mm astrophoto stuns community

Monday, May 13, 2024 by Richard Harris

Amateur astronomer Colin Mitchell spent three months under stormy Ohio skies to collect over 50 hours of data on Messier 106 (M106). Despite battling significant light pollution near Akron, Colin's dedication and patience culminated in a spectacular photograph of this intermediate spiral galaxy. Using a 12" f/4 Newtonian telescope and an ASI2600MC camera, he re...

Measure light pollution with this new sky glow meter

Monday, May 13, 2024 by Russ Scritchfield

Measuring light pollution involves assessing how much artificial light affects the darkness of the night sky, which can interfere with our view of stars and impact ecosystems. A new handheld device that measures night sky darkness with high precision, providing reliable readings up to 21.5 mesas (magnitude per square arc-second), is now available from a seller on eBa...

Removing gradients from astrophotos gets easier with GraXpert

Friday, May 10, 2024 by Richard Harris

As an astrophotographer, I've always found the process of removing gradients from my images to be incredibly frustrating. These gradients, often caused by light pollution, can overshadow the beauty of the night sky, making editing a tedious necessity. Thankfully, the new tool from GraXpert aims to simplify this task. It's designed to efficiently clear away these...

Light pollution maps are getting worse

Friday, May 10, 2024 by Richard Harris

Light pollution is a rapidly growing concern for astronomers, particularly as global urbanization and the proliferation of outdoor lighting continue. Recent studies reveal that artificial night lighting is increasing at an estimated annual rate of about 2% globally, affecting previously untouched regions and further intensifying in already lit areas. This expansion is n...

The Wisconsin Observers Weekend 2024 event lineup

Thursday, May 9, 2024 by Richard Harris

The Wisconsin Observers Weekend (WOW), hosted by NEWSTAR, is a highly anticipated event for amateur astronomers and their families. From June 6th to 9th, 2024, participants will gather at Hartman Creek State Park, located just west of Waupaca, Wisconsin, to enjoy three days of camping and stargazing. This 1,500-acre park, with post-glacial landscapes and rolling woodlan...

L eXtreme dual passband light pollution filter from Optolong

Thursday, April 25, 2024 by Russ Scritchfield

Optolong filters are becoming essential tools for terrestrial stargazers as urban expansion worsens light pollution, making it increasingly difficult to capture clear night sky images. The growing urbanization has rendered many skies unsuitable for detailed astronomical imaging. However, with the right filters, such as those from Optolong, photographers can effectively ...

Seestar S50 smart telescope from ZWO

Sunday, April 21, 2024 by Richard Harris

Introducing the Seestar S50, a revolutionary compact all-in-one smart telescope that combines multiple astronomical tools into a lightweight, 2.5kg package. This device integrates a telescope, electrical focuser, astronomical camera, ASIAIR, altazimuth mount, dew heater, and filter wheel, redefining convenience in astronomical observation. Seestar S50 smart telescope...