A short adventure with lunar eclipse

Total lunar eclipse 2019

A total lunar eclipse occurred recently on Monday 21st of January (Pic. 1). For me, it was the next opportunity to see this rare phenomenon, especially because I couldn’t make it in July 2018, due to thundery weather. This time the weather forecast seemed to be more favourable a few days before the eclipse, although … Read more

Xiaomi Mi 8 128GB (Global version) photo facilities, part 3 – night photography and astrophotography

In this part of the Xiaomi Mi 8 smartphone test, I would like to reveal a night photography feature, which has been widely developed in this device. First of all lets through very basic and common photography, which is provided by Photo and Square mode. If you don’t know what modes I am writing about, … Read more

Astrophotography with the Peakfinder.org, part 2 – solar & lunar eclipses

Peakfinder mtBlanc

In the 2nd part of this short guide on the Peakfinder.org panorama generator, I would like to focus on another kind of observation, that we can enjoy. There are solar & lunar eclipses. Those celestial events are quite rare (especially solar eclipses) so this is the prime reason, that we should prepare as best as … Read more

Astrophotography with the Peakfinder.org, part 1 – Sun & Moon

Peakfinder Teide sunset

Taking a picture of mountains with sunset or moonrise in the background is a nice experience. Some of the photographers used to do this accidentally when travelling. People, who know the area better usually can predict exactly what time the Sun or Moon will rise & set above the outlined mountain communities or closer peaks. … Read more

Tenerife and the night sky

Tenerife astronomical observatory

Visiting Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands was one of the best adventures. After several days, when I could scout this picturesque place I spent one night above the unique low-level clouds. It was a fantastic experience because I have not seen that pristine sky before. The day, when I set my observation place … Read more

ISS transit across the Sun & Moon

ISS and Atlantis shuttle on solar disk

The International Space Station (ISS) is a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. This is the largest human-made body in low Earth orbit. The width of ISS is 108.5 m and its length is 72.8 m. It orbits about 400 kilometers above the planet so it can often be seen with the naked eye … Read more

Watching the sky with Krosno branch of Polish Society of Amateur Astronomers (PTMA)

PTMA stare logo

In this article, I would like to describe my a few years of adventures in the Krosno branch of the Polish Society of Amateur Astronomers, where I could develop my noble hobby. Except for my activities, I want to show the best and the most unique observations made by members of this society in the … Read more

What is the colour of Martian sky?

Martian sky NASA jpl

The Mars Exploration Program has been launching for around 20 years since the first probe Mars Pathfinder done by NASA landed on the Red’s Planet surface. For this time another four rovers touched down on the Martian ground: Spirit & Opportunity (2004), Phoenix  (2008), and Curiosity (2012). All of those missions beamed many photos of … Read more

Transit of Venus – have you seen this celestial event?

Venus transit 2012

13 and 5 years ago we could witness an unusual occurrence when an inferior planet crossed the solar disk. The transit of Venus is a very rare celestial phenomenon, which occurs usually twice in the span of a little bit more than 1 century.  I said twice because between first and second transit is approximately … Read more

Deep partial solar eclipse in Scotland

Scotland Highlands partial solar eclipse 2015

On 20th March 2015, we could witness one of the most spectacular phenomena in the Solar System, the total solar eclipse. The track of totality passed across the North Atlantic and next headed into the Arctic Ocean. This eclipse used to be a logistical nightmare to observe because the only populated places from which the … Read more