Henk-Jan Angerman’s Post

Delve into the world of astrophotography with the innovative CDK telescope by PlaneWave. Developed by Dave Rowe, this telescope's optical design is a game-changer in the field. 🔭 Unlike traditional telescopes, the CDK is engineered to eliminate common issues like coma, off-axis astigmatism, and field curvature. This means you can capture stunning images with pinpoint star clarity across the entire imaging plane.✨ The CDK's design comprises three essential components: an ellipsoidal primary mirror, a spherical secondary mirror, and a lens group. Together, they work seamlessly to ensure exceptional image quality, making it the ideal choice for capturing the wonders of the cosmos. Discover the simplicity and elegance of the CDK telescope and embark on a journey to explore the universe with unprecedented precision and clarity. 👉 PlaneWave.com #CDKTelescope #Astrophotography #PlaneWaveInstruments

Setting requirements for the construction of the arm pipes that will allow the Einstein Telescope #laser beam to propagate in #vacuum is a scientific challenge. Astonishingly these pipes will consist of several, 10 km long, approx 1 m in diameter, steel tubes, to be housed some 100 meter below the #Earth crust! Their construction and #underground assembling is such a complex task that we must make sure to have it under control and take into account all different aspects and properties that may affect their performance in the long run. Specifically in my group we are at work to set the #cleanliness requirements: how much particle or #dust #contamination can we tolerate before the #scattered #light it generates starts spoiling the sensitivity of the #EinsteinTelescope #interferometers? How can the required cleanliness be maintained underground? We are getting close to the final numbers on this important aspect for the Einstein Telescope beam pipes. We had yesterday the first round of Q&A with internal and external reviewers, very profitable. #stray #light #GravitationalWaves INFN Padova DIPARTIMENTO DI FISICA E ASTRONOMIA "G. GALILEI" - UNIPD

Seiko Sundial- At first glance, this watch, designed exclusively for sunny men,' might seem like just a piece of netal, but that's just a fleeting impression It transforms into a "miniature astronomical observatory," meticulously tracking celestial movements with an impressive accuracy of -1.59 milliseconds per day, or -0.58 seconds per year The circular dial atop the conical case serves as a lid. Lifting it causes the case to rise up into a three-dimensional structure, instantly transforming its appearance i. The small metal stick in the open case, known as the gnomon (projection rod), can be placed at the center of the dial to complete the transformation. Setting the longitude is crucial for sundials Rotating the dial adjusts the longitude, which accounts for the time difference from the standard reference point. This feature allows the watch to function as a sundial that provides accurate time indication even outside Japan The upper portion of the sundial rotates 180 degrees according to the season (calendar) ‣, making it uniquely designed for year-round readability when worn on the wrist.

I never thought I'd get excited about a Canon Inc. innovation for the #astronomy world, but here we go! An immersion grating in #spectrography is an optical component that disperses light into its component wavelengths, allowing for detailed analysis of the light spectrum. Canon has developed the world's first practical-use germanium immersion grating. This shrinks spectrometers to 1/64th of their current size!! It will revolutionize their use in satellites and next-gen astronomical telescopes, helping the detection of the life-related molecules in infrared range. For example the highest resolution of current dispersers of the #JWST has a groove density of 250/mm. The new gratings offer a groove density of 200000/mm!!!  The benefits of fabricating immersion diffractive gratings were realized long ago, but infrared frequencies in astronomy require brittle semiconductor materials. With this ultra-precision processing technology it is possible to creat a practical germanium immersion grating with 100 μm grooves at intervals of just a few nanometers. Isnt it amazing?

I’ve been combining photography and data science to photograph the night sky for several years now - I think this is a new personal best! The Orion Nebula is one of the brightest emission nebula in the night sky, and combining 6 hours of individual exposures, I photographed not only its extremely bright core, but also the beautiful glow of its stellar winds and intense radiation pressure! The core of the nebula is a stellar nursery where new stars are born into the universe amidst swirling clouds of chaotic dust and gas. These energetic stars exceed 30,000 degrees Celsius, and ionise Hydrogen & Oxygen gas to emit a brilliant glow in optical and infrared wavelengths - if you look closely, you can even see some of these baby stars right at the beginning of their life - stars that will shine for millions of years after we’re all gone. Scientific observations of the Orion Nebula have provided invaluable insights into the processes of star formation, and using specialised filters, astrophotography lets us capture the beauty of the process right here from home. It’s a huge challenge but it comes with phenomenal rewards and undoubtedly changes the way we view our world. Composition data: Telescope: William Optics 73 Apochromatic Refractor Exposures: 180 x 2 minute exposures Filters: Hydrogen & Oxygen spectrum filters Dark Current subtraction Photometric Colour Calibration Kappa-Sigma satellite rejection algorithms #Astronomy #data #science #analysis #photography #space #jwst #hubble

🔭 Notice to comet chasers (post #2): ========================= 🔴 Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) reached its perigee this weekend and is now racing towards us, reaching its closest distance to Earth on Saturday 12 October (half the distance from Sun to Earth). 🎬 Simulation hereunder. 💡 Be ready : --------------- 1️⃣ The comet will rise in twilight light, evening after evening, from 12 october. 2️⃣ Maximum brightness from 12 (best !) to 15 October, then rapidly diminishing. 3️⃣ The length of the tail will certainly reach several angular degrees so Binoculars (7x50 , 10x50, etc.) are recommended for a wide field of view (nucleus + tail). Telescope for detailed view. 4️⃣ Given the expected brightness, 📷 photography will be easy, even with a smartphone (zooming in), but use : 🖲️ long exposures (< 30sec to avoid the earth rotation effect) 🖲️ a tripod or fixed support. 5️⃣ If you have a telescope with an equatorial mount, you'll be able to notice the comet's own movement across the sky: around 15 October, I expect the comet to move the equivalent of the diameter of a full Moon... in 3 hours. 6️⃣ Plan to observe it from a location with a completely clear western horizon since the comet will be low (elevation between 5° (one vertical inch at arm's length) on 12/10 and 20° on 17/10). At 20h (Paris), ~1h after sunset. 7️⃣ It promises to surpass the visual conditions of the comets of the last 30 years (Hale-Bopp, Neowise, etc.) ! 🌠 Don't miss the starry Miss ! 🌠 (Detailed coordinates and magnitude in the next post) #comet #astronomy #stargazer #telescope #binoculars #Tsuchinshan

Have you ever engaged in any of the following incorrect practices during an eclipse observation? 1.Direct eye contact. This can cause serious damage to your retina and is highly dangerous! 2.Using xray film, beer bottle bottoms, etc. There is no problem in principle, but it cannot effectively filter ultraviolet and infrared rays, and cannot fully guarantee safety. 3.Wear sunglasses. Even if they have higher light transmittance, sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection from eye damage during an eclipse. Engaging in these unsafe viewing methods are risky and can cause permanent vision damage. Please refrain from imitating them. Tips about the eclipse photographing: 1.Taking close-ups must have a telephoto and a reducer, such as Beaverlab's intelligent astronomical telescope Finder TW1. Our telescope can present clear and delicate celestial objects, is a suitable choice. 2.The shooting delay or trajectory should be prepared in advance with a spare battery tripod, etc., and the landscape and sky should be synthesized separately. 3.Using 2 sheets of cardboard and make your own simple pinhole projector is one of the easiest ways to safely watch a solar eclipse. Practice more before shooting, and pay attention to the use of TW1 strong light filter to protect your eyes, then you can enjoy the sun more safely! We hope you enjoy this natural wonder and feel free to share your photos of the solar eclipse!

The incredible increase in sensitivity of digital sensors, together with the rapid development of advanced photographic processing techniques, has enabled amateur astrophotography to achieve results unimaginable even just 20 years ago. By accumulating an adequate number of photons, it is possible to obtain extraordinarily detailed photographs of nebulae and galaxies, amazingly distant in both space and time. Some images I have recently captured can be seen here: https://lnkd.in/dmCYsB3R In the picture below. The Eagle Nebula (M16), a large emission nebula, about 130 light years wide. It is mapped in constellation Serpens and it is 5,700 light years from us. Within its core, spectacular columns of condensed gas and dust (the “Pillars of Creation”) provide a nursery for new star formation. Captured a few months ago, from my terrace, in Monte Argentario, Italy. Max resolution and technicalities here: https://lnkd.in/d376VSjW

Part 1 Continues :Title: “Interstellar Choreography: Harnessing Pythagoras and Einstein in Cosmic Ballet” Merits: • Efficient Space Navigation: Utilizes gravitational assists to conserve fuel and extend the reach of spacecraft beyond our solar system. • Deeper Understanding of Universe: Offers insights into the behavior of light, matter, and the fabric of spacetime, enhancing our understanding of the universe. • Practical Applications: Influences technologies like GPS satellites, which rely on both gravitational theory and relativity for precise location data. Demerits: • Complex Calculations: Requires intricate calculations and precise measurements, where small errors can lead to significant deviations from expected outcomes. • Theoretical Limitations: While the principles are well-established, their application to extreme cosmic phenomena (like black holes) still challenges our understanding. • Resource Intensive: The planning and execution of space missions leveraging these principles demand substantial time and resources. Measures: 1. Advanced Simulation Tools: Use sophisticated computer simulations to model gravitational assists and relativistic effects accurately. 2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Foster collaboration between mathematicians, physicists, and engineers to refine and apply these principles. 3. Educational Investment: Invest in education and research to deepen our understanding of these principles and their implications for future technologies. In summary, the Pythagorean theorem and Einstein’s equation provide fundamental insights into the dynamics of the universe, from the trajectory of spacecraft within our solar system to the behavior of light in the vicinity of massive celestial bodies. By leveraging these principles, humanity can navigate the cosmos more efficiently, deepen our understanding of the universe, and develop technologies that enhance life on Earth.