http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/categories/astronomy/ en Emmanuele Sordini Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:04:00 GMT Pebble (http://pebble.sourceforge.net) http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/09/24/1222290240000.html <div align="center"><img height="430" width="640" alt="" src="/images/siberian_eclipse/008_res_640.jpg" /><br /> <br /> <div align="justify">Uno, due, tre... e quattro! Come il numero di eclissi che ho osservato nella mia vita: questa volta &egrave; stato il turno della Siberia. Come vedrete, &egrave; stato tutt'altro che facile, ma alla fine quello che conta &egrave; avercela fatta ed aver inanellato un successo il cui ricordo rimarr&agrave; a lungo. <strong>&gt;&gt;&gt;<a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=27"> Cliccate qui per il resoconto completo in Italiano!</a></strong> <strong>&lt;&lt;&lt;</strong><br /> <br /> One, two, three... and four! Four as the number of eclipses I've observed so far in my life: this one took place in Siberia. As you'll see, it's been no easy task, but at the end of the day what really counts is that it turned out to be a great success, whose memories will last for a long time. <strong>&gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=28">Click here for the full report in English!</a></strong> <strong>&lt;&lt;&lt;</strong></div> </div><p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/09/24/1222290240000.html">Read more...</a></p> Astronomy Hot News http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/09/24/1222290240000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/09/24/1222290240000.html Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:04:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/05/28/1211926020000.html <div align="center"><img alt="" src="/images/saturn-080501/saturn-080501.jpg" /><br /> <br /> <div align="justify">On May 1st, 2008, I managed to take this shot of Saturn, most likely the last of this season (which has been haunted by really bad seeing conditions) until the Ringed Planet emerges back from sunlight next winter. All data are on the picture itself.<br /> <br /> Il 1&deg; maggio 2008 sono riuscito a realizzare questa immagine di Saturno, molto probabilmente l'ultima di questa stagione (che &egrave; stata contraddistinta da condizioni di seeing veramente scarso) fino al prossimo inverno, quando il &quot;pianeta dagli anelli&quot; riemerger&agrave; dal bagliore della luce solare. Tutti i dati di ripresa sono contenuti nell'immagine stessa.</div> </div><p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/05/28/1211926020000.html">Read more...</a></p> Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/05/28/1211926020000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/05/28/1211926020000.html Tue, 27 May 2008 22:07:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/05/25/1211747700000.html <br /> <div align="center"><img alt="" src="/images/gladius_cf_315/GladiusMosaic.jpg" /></div> <div align="justify">I've recently had the opportunity to have a very close look at Lazzarotti Optics' Gladius CF 315 telescope, and to actively put it through its paces, and the result was very promising.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=26"><strong>&gt;&gt;Click&nbsp; here for the complete review in English!&lt;&lt;</strong></a><br /> <br /> Ho recentemente avuto l'opportunit&agrave; di utilizzare personalmente il telescopio Gladius CF 315 della Lazzarotti Optics, e di metterlo alla prova sul campo in una sessione osservativa. <strong><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=25">&gt;&gt;Cliccate qui per la completa recensione in italiano!&lt;&lt;</a></strong><br /> </div><p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/05/25/1211747700000.html">Read more...</a></p> Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/05/25/1211747700000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/05/25/1211747700000.html Sun, 25 May 2008 20:35:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/05/09/1210287420000.html On March 18th, 2008, the weather was once again clear, but the Foehn wind was sweeping Northern Italy's flatland, as it has (too) often happened during this past winter. No surprise the seeing was really crappy. In spite of that, I managed to pull off the following image featuring Saturn roaming the heavens with five of its satellites: <br /> <br /> <div align="center"><img alt="" src="/images/saturn_satellites/satellites.jpg" /><br /> <br /> <div align="justify">Please click on the link below for more information!</div> </div><p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/05/09/1210287420000.html">Read more...</a></p> Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/05/09/1210287420000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/05/09/1210287420000.html Thu, 08 May 2008 22:57:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/04/24/1208990640000.html <div align="center"><img alt="" src="/images/iayc_2008/IAYC_BIG_resized.jpg" /><br /> <br /> <div align="justify">From July 20th to August 9th, 2008, the 44th IAYC (International Astronomical Youth Camp) will take place in Sayda, Germany. I myself took part in these camps six times between 1991 and 1999, and in my opinion there is no better place where one can find such an ideal and balanced mix between science, friendship and amusement. The editions I participated in account for some of my nicest memories in my life. So, I am more than glad to put an &quot;advertisement&quot; (or, better, endorsement) on my website. Click on the &quot;read more&quot; link below to find more detailed info (both in English and Italian) directly from the organizing team!<br /> <br /> Dal prossimo 20 luglio al 9 agosto 2008 si svolger&agrave; a Sayda, in Germania, il 44esimo IAYC (International Astronomical Youth Camp). Io stesso ho partecipato a sei di questi campi giovanili internazionali tra il 1991 e il 1999, e secondo me non esiste posto dove trovare un mix migliore tra scienza, divertimento e amicizia. Delle edizioni a cui ho preso parte conservo alcuni tra i pi&ugrave; bei ricordi della mia vita. E allora, pi&ugrave; che volentieri lo pubblicizzo sul mio sito, invitando tutti coloro che fossero interessati a cliccare sul link sottostante &quot;read more&quot; (in inglese e in italiano).<br /> </div> </div><p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/04/24/1208990640000.html">Read more...</a></p> Miscellaneous Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/04/24/1208990640000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/04/24/1208990640000.html Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:44:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/03/26/1206490740000.html <br /> <div align="center"><img src="/images/mz-5m_vs_vesta-pro/NoisyShowdown.jpg" alt="" /></div> <br /> <div align="justify">Alcuni mesi fa avevo scritto un <a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=19">dettagliato articolo</a> in cui si esaminavano le prestazioni della MagZero MZ-5m, in particolare per quanto riguarda la sua usabilit&agrave; come camera per autoguida. Ora presento il seguito di tale articolo, che mette sotto i riflettori la qualit&agrave; dell'immagine di questa camera, confrontandola con una vecchia gloria delle riprese ad alta risoluzione nel mondo amatoriale: la Philips Vesta Pro (modificata con sensore B/N e firmware per la modalit&agrave; raw). Le sorprese non mancano: <a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=23"><strong>cliccate qui per la versione in Italiano</strong></a>!<br /> </div> <br /> <div align="justify">A few months ago, I wrote a <a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=20">detailed article</a> with an in-depth review of the MagZero MZ-5m camera and its suitability for long exposure autoguiding. Now comes its sequel, where we take a closer look at the MagZero's image quality, in a side-by-side comparison with a veteran of hi-res exposure in the amateur astronomer community: the Philips Vesta Pro camera (with B/W sensor and raw-mode firmware). For sure, the outcome is really surprising: <a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=24"><strong>click here for the English version</strong></a>!</div><p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/03/26/1206490740000.html">Read more...</a></p> Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/03/26/1206490740000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/03/26/1206490740000.html Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:19:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/03/07/1204845300000.html <div align="center"><img src="/images/lunar_eclipse_08/Composite1_smaller.jpg" alt="" /><br /> <br /> <div align="justify">On February 21, 2008, the Americas and the westernmost part of Africa and Europe were treated with a total lunar eclipse. The lucky ones who managed to glimpse it had better keep the memory, as next one will take place almost three years from now, on December 21, 2010.<strong> &gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=22">Click here for the full report in English</a></strong> <strong>&lt;&lt;&lt;</strong>.<br /> <br /> Il 21 febbraio 2008 le Americhe e la parte pi&ugrave; occidentale di Africa ed Europa sono state interessate da un'eclisse totale di Luna. I fortunati che sono riusciti a vederla ne conservino bene il ricordo, dato che la prossima si verificher&agrave; soltanto fra quasi tre anni, il 21 dicembre 2010. <strong>&gt;&gt;&gt;</strong> <strong><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=21">Cliccate qui per il resoconto completo in italiano</a></strong> <strong>&lt;&lt;&lt;</strong>.<br /> </div> </div><p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/03/07/1204845300000.html">Read more...</a></p> Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/03/07/1204845300000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/03/07/1204845300000.html Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:15:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/02/19/1203459540000.html <div align="justify">On Jan.24, 2008, another crystal-clear day had just started, when I spotted a waxing, almost-full Moon setting over the snow-covered slopes of the <a href="http://www.mottarone.it">Mottarone</a>, a well-known mountain (and ski resort) overhanging Stresa, renowned touristic resort on the western banks of Lago Maggiore.</div> <br /> <div align="justify">In no time, I was out on my balcony shooting a sequence of exposures which I later put together into this animated GIF &quot;movie&quot;:<br /> </div> <br /> <div align="center"><img src="/images/moonset_mottarone/moonset2.gif" alt="" /></div><p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/02/19/1203459540000.html">Read more...</a></p> Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/02/19/1203459540000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/02/19/1203459540000.html Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:19:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/01/29/1201613760000.html <div align="justify">On Jan. 22/2008, it was a crystal-clear night on the Po river flatland (Northern Italy), as the dry <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foehn">foehn wind</a> was blowing steadily from the Alps' leeward slopes, thus draining every single bit of humidity from the air. A full Moon disk was also shining bright high up in the sky. By no means, would I ever miss this terrific opportunity of shooting it... <img src="/vega/res/icon_smile_big.gif" alt="" /><br /> </div> <br /> <div align="center"><img src="/images/jan_08_full_moon/Moon_080122_cr_640.jpg" alt="" /></div><p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/01/29/1201613760000.html">Read more...</a></p> Website Updates Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/01/29/1201613760000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2008/01/29/1201613760000.html Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:36:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/12/26/1198706880000.html <img src="http://www.bloomingstars.com/images/mz-5m/mz5mpackage.jpg" alt="" /><br /> <br /> I gloriosi giorni della Sbig ST4 sono da tempo passati. Sono ora a caccia di una camera per autoguida. Ho avuto occasione di provare la ben nota (in Italia) <a href="http://www.magzero.it/MZ-5m.htm">Magzero MZ-5m</a>, che sembra un clone della <a href="http://www.qhyccd.com/QHY5.html">QHY5 Guider Cam</a>. Comunque sia, la esaminiamo pi&ugrave; da vicino per vedere se mantiene le promesse. <a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=19"><strong>Cliccare qui</strong></a> per la recensione in italiano!<br /> <br /> The good ol' days of the Sbig ST4 are long gone. I've been hunting for a new autoguiding camera: I've come across the <a href="http://www.magzero.it/MZ-5m.htm">Magzero MZ-5m</a> camera, which is quite popular in Italy and looks very much like a <a href="http://www.qhyccd.com/QHY5.html">QHY5 Guider Cam</a> clone. Anyway, we take a closer look at it to see if it can live up to its specs. Update 28/11/07: a review in english is available <a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=20"><strong>here</strong></a>.<p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/12/26/1198706880000.html">Read more...</a></p> Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/12/26/1198706880000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/12/26/1198706880000.html Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:08:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/12/04/1196800920000.html It's been quite a while since my last post, let alone an astronomy-related one. However, this does not mean I don't have anything to share! As a matter of fact, I do have a fair backlog of images to process and to post, but it'll take a while as I've been very busy lately. Here's a sample of my october 2007 deep-sky imaging session:<br /> <br /> <div align="center"><img src="http://www.bloomingstars.com/images/two_new_images/ngc253-LRGB2-crop-web.jpg" alt="" /><br /> </div> <br /> which is actually the best image... Click on the link below for the full story!<p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/12/04/1196800920000.html">Read more...</a></p> Website Updates Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/12/04/1196800920000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/12/04/1196800920000.html Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:42:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/09/14/1189721460000.html &quot;Nine objects of desire&quot; is a title of an album by one of my favorite singers, Suzanne Vega. <br /> However, in this case the term &quot;round-up&quot; would probably be more appropriate. No matter what you call it, to me it's a nice set of deep-sky objects:<br /> <br /> <img src="/images/nine_objects/DeepMosaic.jpg" alt="" /><br /> <br /> Click on the link <strong>below</strong> to read the full story!<p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/09/14/1189721460000.html">Read more...</a></p> Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/09/14/1189721460000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/09/14/1189721460000.html Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:11:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/08/26/1188131640000.html In early August I tried my hand at my newly acquired CCD camera, and above all at manipulating the resulting image. This small report describes all my different attempts to yield the best rendition of M20 (Trifid nebula)'s wispy outer regions.<br /> Here's what I consider my best result yet:<br /> <br /> <img alt="" src="/images/m20_processing/M20DF-smaller.jpg" /><a href="../.http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/images/m20_processing/M20DF-smaller.jpg"><br /> </a><br /> Click on the link below to read the full story. Please note that this page may take a while to load because of the images it contains.<p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/08/26/1188131640000.html">Read more...</a></p> Website Updates Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/08/26/1188131640000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/08/26/1188131640000.html Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:34:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/08/20/1187643240000.html For those among you who might be interested, you can find <a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/vega/astro/equipment.html" target="_self">my complete equipment list as of August 2007</a>. This also includes a &quot;history&quot; of my rig over the years, which I expanded over time through selected acquisitions and transfers (mainly by selling on the used market).<p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/08/20/1187643240000.html">Read more...</a></p> Website Updates Astronomy http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/08/20/1187643240000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/08/20/1187643240000.html Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:54:00 GMT http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/08/20/1187597880000.html It's been quite a while since I last posted something astronomy related; plus, I haven't been updating my image gallery for a year, and now I have a huge backlog of pictures. I would like to rengineer my gallery engine, since FTP-based management with <a href="http://jalbum.net" target="_blank">JAlbum</a> (which is a very cool product, by the way) has become a real pain in the butt. But 'nuff said, let's go back to the real stuff:<br /> <ul> <li>Report on the total lunar eclipse of March 3rd, 2007: <a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=16">click here</a></li> <li>Report on Saturn's occultation of May 22nd, 2007: <a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com/bloomingstars/jsp/go.jsp?id=18">click here</a> </li> </ul> Both articles are in English. As usual, enjoy and let me know. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!<p><a href="http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/08/20/1187597880000.html">Read more...</a></p> Website Updates Astronomy Hot News http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/08/20/1187597880000.html#comments http://www.bloomingstars.com:80/2007/08/20/1187597880000.html Mon, 20 Aug 2007 08:18:00 GMT