Winter season: With the Autumn Equinox now behind us and the clocks going back that means only one thing, Orion the Hunter is back in the sky waiting for us to collect its majestic photons.
On May 9th 2016, Mercury passed between the earth and the sun, starting just after 12pm, and concluding at around 6pm. During this time, the tiny planetary disc of Mercury could be seen traversing the Sun’s disc via a wide range of observation and imaging techniques.
SEKAS members met up at the Paddock and spent a very nice afternoon watching and imaging the transit using a variety of different kit, ranging from Alan Snook’s projection solar scope, to telescopes and cameras filtered using numerous solar filtering techniques (mostly based upon Baader solar film, or glass filers of various types). A good time was had by all who attended. For those who unfotunately couldn’t attend, some of us set up at home to observe and image also. The fruits of the day’s imaging can be seen here. Thanks to all who attended and contributed the images below. If I’ve missed any please let me know, and I’ll add them in.
Video by Adam Leach, from a time-lapse of the transit taken at two minute intervals. Some frames missed out due to cloud, and ended abruptly due to a complete cloud-out!
Adam Leach
Adam is one half of the SEKAS Web and Technology team. He's a long-time visual observer and slightly less-long-time astronomical imager. His main wish is to help the society and it's members via the use of modern technology in astronomy and astro-imaging. His ultimate goal bring the wonders of the universe to more people than ever, in new and exciting ways.
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Hello,
Just wondering if you still meet at Walmer Castle car park on the past Friday of every month?
If so, hoping to drop by next time!
Hi Jon,
Unfortunately, for various reasons, the Walmer Castle car park sessions are not being run at the moment. However, we do run regular observing evenings at our observing site near Bridge for members. We are looking at options for regular public observing, and any new regular sessions will be announced here on the website. As always though, the most opportunity comes as a member, so it’s worth joining if you can.