According to Spaceweather.com, Sunspot 1035 is now 7 times wider than Earth and possibly the largest sunspot of 2009.
Because of my disrupted biological clock, I decided to wait for sunrise and conduct a solar observation.
This is my first time to observe and image a sunspot. I used projection method to safely view the Sun.
Equipment used: Edmund Scientific AstroScan Telescope and Canon EOS 450D
My Solar Observation Setup
The Galileo telescope is the cheapest and affordable way for budding Filipino astronomers to explore the night sky.
Here’s a product review by Paul Atchong Hilario, Physics graduate student in U.P. Diliman and U.P. Astrosoc member:
I just bought my first telescope today, a Galileo scope with 15x magnification, and gave it first light. Yes that means I used it to view heavenly objects. I was afraid at first that it is not worth it but believe me when I say I was wrong. It gave me a very nice impression.
The truth is it a rather nice telescope. It promises to be usable when viewing the moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter with the moons, Saturn and a number of deep sky objects. As a test, due to cloudy skies early tonight, I used it to view Plaeiades, Orion Nebula and Hyades. I must admit, I was impressed. Its magnification is good enough to appreciate the heavenly bodies mentioned. It also has the crisp of a refractive telescope. Sorry, I can’t pose any photos cause I haven’t tried to take one yet.
The Galileo telescope is one of the many core projects in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy. It aims to allow us to appreciate what Galileo saw 400 years ago. The Galileo scope is a replica of Galileo’s telescope, with which he saw Jupiter’s moons, Saturn’s rings, moon craters and the sun (which burned his eye), only more powerful because of the techniques we have in making lenses. It comes in two forms (or at least the ones available in the Philippines), a 15x version (G15x) and a 35x version (G35x). The numbers indicate the magnification it can do. 15x means an object will appear 1/15 times closer the same is true for 35x (which would make the objects appear more than twice as close as with 15x). Now regarding the resolution and light gathering power, it seems that they are at par since they have the same aperture. You can see the attached file for reference. You can order your scopes at the numbers indicated in the brochures.
For a telescope, a decent magnification would help. However, let me stress out that a telescope does not make small things appear large but rather far things appear near. Furthermore, for astronomical purposes, these very far objects are usually very dim. Hence, you want more light from them. This is achieved by having a bigger aperture. Also, a bigger aperture would mean better resolution (Note: better resolution does not mean bigger, it actually means smaller). Hence, more details. Noting at the specs of both scopes, it means that they have almost the same power.
The main advantage of a G35x is that two points will appear to have bigger angular separation distance which will make them easily distinguishable. In terms of the objects you can see, the G35x and G15x are relatively the same. It will depend on how good you are in observing. The instrument is only as good as its user. A G35x is, however, enclosed in a paper tube which will make it more vulnerable. A G15x is enclosed in a plastic tube which will make it more durable and easier to assemble.
A word of caution for more experienced amateur astronomers. Though having a Galileo telescope would allow you to experience Galileo’s astronomical feat, having a Galileo telescope as a main scope is not quite a good idea. It’s power is comparable to a decent pair of binoculars which is just as cheap. But since the Galileo scopes come with an option for a tripod, you have the advantage of stability. But you can also mount your binoculars on a tripod.
All in all, I think it is worth it. And it is a around 4x cheaper than the toy telescopes available at the malls making it much better for starting amateur astronomers.
Ad astra per aspera!
Join the UP Astronomical Society tonight and watch the Geminid meteor shower on Sunday evening!
This serves as a statement that no matter how bad the light pollution in my area, I will still continue observing the night sky.
Star Trails over Quezon City
Photo details: Canon EOS 450D, f/5.6, ISO 400, 20 frames x 30 seconds exposure.
The ISS (International Space Station) passed over Quezon City, Philippines from 17:58 to 18:04 of Nov. 30, 2009. Despite the cloud cover, I was able to get my first photo of the ISS flyby during its maximum altitude (88 degrees alt, Southwest direction). Its brightness was almost the same with that of Venus.
Photo details: Canon EOS 450D, f/7.1, ISO 100, 15 seconds exposure, leveled in GIMP
Join UP Astronomical Society this 2nd semester!
UP Astronomical Society’s Sign-up Booth, Dec. 2-5, 2009 at AS Walk, UP Diliman Campus
See you there!
The U.P. Astronomical Society will hold a Sidewalk Astronomy at the U.P. Sunken Garden on Nov. 25 (Wednesday) and Nov. 26 (Thursday), starting at 6 pm. Sidewalk astronomy refers to an activity of setting up a telescope on urban streets for public astronomical viewing.
Everyone is invited!
My boyfriend and I observed the Leonid meteor shower at the PAGASA SunDeck Observatory last Nov. 17, tuesday. To my surprise, we were greeted by numerous cars, media men, and people from all walks of life. I’ve never encountered such a huge crowd in my whole Astrosoc life, hahaha . For this reason, I decided to find a place where I could move and take pictures. At 1 am, we decided to observe the meteors at my place. In my 3 hours of observation, I only saw 14 meteors – 2 with smoke trails.
I was quite disappointed but I still enjoyed the celestial show.
Looking forward for another spectacular meteor shower – the Geminids!
Somebody celebrated his/her birthday under the stars. Cool!
The person was trying to take pictures of the night sky.
Chemistry building beside the PAGASA Observatory. 
Star trails
Star trails
Ms. Erika Legara (co-adviser of U.P. Astrosoc) and Ms. DJ Avila (Overall Coordinator)
The U.P. Astronomical Society was interviewed on DateLine Philippines on ANC. I failed to watch the segment, but a fellow member told me that the reporters asked about the Leonid meteor shower and how to join the organization. 
Congrats, U.P. Astrosoc!
Ad Astra Per Aspera!
*photo by Aaron Misayah
Last night, the PAGASA SunDeck Observatory was jam-packed with spectators, astronomy enthusiasts, and media. You could actually feel the crowd’s excitement for the Leonids celestial show.
On the other hand, I just hope the media will be more aware of light pollution and its effect on astronomical observations.
ABS-CBN News – Bandila: Meteor Shower to Brighten Night Sky
GMA News – Saksi: Leonids Meteor Shower Sky Show Tonight ’til Dawn
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/50899/saksi-leonids-meteor-shower-sky-show-tonight-til-dawn
From Dr. Armando Lee:
Everyone is invited to join us in watching for the Leonids Meteor Shower tonight at the Astrocamp Observatory SMBY Park SM Mall of Asia. Amateur Astronomer Christopher Lee and Dr Armando Lee on duty tonight!
SM will turn off the lights at the SMBY come 12midnight and we will be ready for the shower coming our way!
For more info contact Dr Lee at 09177922053 or follow www.twitter.com/astrocamp_ph
Happy meteor observing, everyone!
Clear Skies!
My Love Conjunction astro-image is now featured at http://astronomy.fm/aapod/2009-11-12_Love-Conjunction.html
This is the second time where my photo is featured in a website. The first one is my image of an atmospheric phenomenon taken in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA http://www.atoptics.co.uk/fz99.htm.
Equipment used: Canon EOS 450D placed on a tripod
Airplane
Mars above the constellation Leo
Venus rising in the SE horizon
The Famous Big Dipper of the constellation Ursa Major
The brighest star is Sirius, alpha star of the constellation Canis Major
Canis Major, Orion and Lepus
Star Trails
stellasgaze
