An Experiment

By Paulamouse
5
written 11/2/05 6:05 AM, published 11/2/05 6:05 AM

On Monday night I was standing out on my deck admiring the clear night sky when a meteor burned across the sky. Beautiful to say the least, it began as a bluish white streak, went to green and exploded into a shower of scattered sparkles as it burned out. Total silence of course. A bit later another smaller one. My mind kicked into gear and I thought what a great shot it would make if I could catch one of these babies with the camera. I set things up on the tripod and took many shots but did not get one shot of a meteor, in fact I only saw one other and it was not in my camera's field of view. I did however get a few interesting starfield shots. Nothing great.

Popup LinkStarfield 1 If you look at the stars in this shot you will see a variety of colors. Hot stars burn red, cool ones blue. In the upper left is the constellation Cassiopia and to the lower right is the Pleides star cluster. The large orange planet to the right of the Pliedes is the planet Mars.

Popup LinkStarfield s

I intend to try as the weather permits to capture a meteor, and, if anyone out there should happen to try their luck also, I would be interested in seeing the shot and knowing how you did it.



 
  • The colors are hard to see...and I can't find the Cassopia (big W). But I did see the pleides cluster!!! Check the web...there are generally some good showers during the winter (you just have to be willing to freeze your arse off at 3am).

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  • Your gonna need a bigger Canon Mr. Mouse...

    - Growing Up is Optional...

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  • chef009
    6
    Paul for best way to get the most out ofa star shot is use your largest lens..stay away from any light..focusing is the hardest thing to do ...make sure to leave the shutter open along time...I started at 30 seconds and played with that for awhile...the distracting light source from around you has to be eliminated.

    - With these Hands

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  • The Leonids of mid-November (max: November 17-19) are quite unpredictable, with rich displays occuring roughly every 33 years. The last Leonid storm period occurred from 1998 through 2002. The next enhancement for the Leonids is predicted in 2006, when rates may approach 60/hr. for a short time. For 2005 the Leonids will run from Nov 13 - 20 with peak time being Nov 17 @ 13:17 UT (universal time). Universal Time Chart: Eastern Standard Time = UT - 5hours Central Standard Time = UT - 6 hours Mountain Standard Time = UT - 7 hours Pacific Standard Time = UT - 8 hours

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  • JOJames Sagin

    - Still a Moose

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  • Thanks for all the tips folks. I am not going to make this my lifes work, but I am going to work at it. And Moose, I bet there are not many here besides us who know who Sagin was.

    - Cheeze Pleeze

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  • KayN
    5
    Neat experiment, Paul! I'm not any good at doing the moon, so I sure won't try this....but am sure interested in seeing the shots you take! Yer right, Paul....I have no clue who Sagin was...

    - Ms.N

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  • Billions and Billions Paul, Billions and Billions. When I get home later I may post my two star shots. No meteors but maybe they will be interesting. Or maybe they will just be Blurry as hell????

    - Still a Moose

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  • KayN, I tried shooting the moon once, but the neighbors called the cops and my dad got all pissed off at me.....but that was long ago.

    - Cheeze Pleeze

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  • KayN
    5
    Dang it, and I thought it was legal!

    - Ms.N

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  • I know Carl....I really loved the movie Contact.

    - www.niftyimages.com

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  • Great Movie!!!

    - Still a Moose

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  • sagan! Nicely done, Paul. I think I've heard you can have better luck in the winter, too, because the thicker summer air is so full of junk. Looking forward to more experiments!

    - here and there

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  • Nice, Paul... Now All You Need Is A Warm Sleeping Bag Too Sleep Under Them! Sagan Can't Hold A Star But Steve Irwin Can Hold A Croc!

    - NATURE RULES!!!

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  • Holy cow, I should have looked over at my book shelf at my copy of Cosmos or Contact, it is spelled Sagan. Thanks John.

    - Cheeze Pleeze

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  • chef009
    6
    Now Carl is part of what he believed...at least he thought so....the things stars are made of..Poor lost soul...but he had a gaint gray matter thing going on...between his ears.

    - With these Hands

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  • Yeah, Paul I was talking about Sagin as in Sagin Boobs.

    - Still a Moose

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  • Moose you are incorrigible, please never change.

    - Cheeze Pleeze

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  • jeffrey
    4
    nicely done sir, enjoyed the lesson

    - believe...

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  • Just keep experimenting, you can help us learn from your technique

    - Blessings

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