Summer Skies

Taken from an elevated position looking out over the site of the Jodrell Plank Observatory- Lowestoft - Tripod mounted Canon 600d DSLR at f=18mm. - Composite image - 2 stacks of 10 images at 15 sec exposure ISO1600 - Kurt Thrust

"The staff holidays coincided with some indifferent weather in Lowestoft during the last month here on the East Coast of England.  Long  light nights and British Standard Summertime are no friends of astronomers and so there has been little time for any astro-imaging at the Jodrell Plank Observatory. On a more positive note, our Facilities Manager, May Fleming  has been using this time wisely and effectively- replacing worn-out equipment parts and greasing nipples, cogs and bearings.

Last night we were able to capture a few widefield images of the summer Milkyway, the red-giant star Antares in the Constellation Scorpius and the gas giant planets Saturn and Jupiter, Such fun!" -  Kurt Thrust acting CEO and current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.