The Sky Above

Mercury and Venus

Stella's Gaze — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:27:07 +0000

I’ve been observing the Mercury-Venus conjunction since 2008 but I’ve never seen Mercury this high! Such an amazing view despite the poor weather and light pollution in Metro Manila, Philippines.

To the stars!

Lightning

Stella's Gaze — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 15:00:12 +0000

While I was busy editing my paper for work, I noticed a number of light flashes from our window. I knew it was the best time to capture lightning images and so I decided to get my DSLR and set it up for a a night of sky imaging. Out of the 200+ images I took, only 2 of them have lightning included. The best of the two is the image I shared above. I suddenly remembered a stanza in Mariah Carey’s song Angel’s Cry when I saw this image: “Cause lightning don’t strike the same place twice…”.

Galileo’s view of Saturn

Stella's Gaze — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:46:34 +0000

Saturn’s opposition this year was last April 28, 2013. I planned to take images of the planet on that day but didn’t proceed due to poor weather. On the night of April 30, my boyfriend and I went to PAGASA Observatory to try our luck to observe and image the planet using Galileo (my C8 scope). Thanks to my man, I was able to carry my gear and successfully maneuvered my scope to see the planet on my computer screen.

To date, this is my best image of Saturn:

Equipment: Celestron 8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope on CG5-GT mount + 2x barlow + SPC900NC Toucam

Image Processing done in Registax 6, Autostakkert 2.1.5, GIMP, and Adobe Photoshop CS5

I just find it funny that my Galileo viewed Saturn like what Galileo Galilei did 400 years ago.

To the stars!

The Milky Way and Meteor

Stella's Gaze — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 20:00:13 +0000

My long and tiring trip to Ilocos Norte paid off. I was lucky to capture an image of a meteor near the Milky Way galaxy!

To the stars!

Comet PANSTARRS Observation (Day 3)

Stella's Gaze — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 10:40:28 +0000

This time, I observed the comet in Quezon City.

Comet PANSTARRS (March 17, 2013)

Comet PANSTARRS Observation (Day 2)

Stella's Gaze — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:40:00 +0000

I searched again on March 13, 2013 but it rained so it was a disappointing observation. The next day, I tried again but had a hard time looking for the comet because of cloud cover and its position in the sky moved further to the right. Sadly, the comet was no longer visible to the naked eye like the first time I observed it. I have to use my camera just to see the object. Moreover, the high degree of light pollution in Makati blocked my view of the comet as it nears the horizon.

Thanks to light pollution for blocking my view of the comet!

Comet PANSTARRS Observation (Day 1)

Stella's Gaze — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:06:06 +0000

Since the comet will be visible very low in the western horizon, 40 minutes after sunset, I looked for a place somewhere in Makati to allow me to search for the comet after work. As much as I want to go out of town to check out the comet, I cannot do this because I am saving up my vacation leave, hahaha! I saw Comet PANSTARRS for the first time at 6:40pm on March 12, 2013 (indeed 40 minutes after sunset! Amazing!). The sky was also clear that made it easier for me to catch the comet.

40 floors up just to view the comet!

During sunset, I saw an atmospheric phenomenon called Belt of Venus in the east.

My first images of Comet PANSTARRS!!

Stargazing at Big Handy’s Grounds,Tanay, Rizal

Stella's Gaze — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 06:30:37 +0000

My boyfriend and I joined the Philippine Astronomical Society (PAS) deep sky observation marathon last March 9-10, 2013 at Big Handy’s Grounds in Tanay, Rizal.

We were the first one to arrive at the site after an hour and a half drive from Quezon City. To reach the observation area, we need to go through a rough terrain going up. It was a challenge to bring our gear to the observation area, but it was all worth it. The view of the mountains was indeed breathtaking!

Group picture by Kashogi Astapan

The group started the deep sky observation at 7pm but put on hold after an hour or so due to heavy rain. The sky started to clear up around past 10pm and since then, everyone was busy identifying celestial objects or taking images of the night sky.

Below are my images:

Stars above the Friendzone hill (UP Astrosoc members named this hill as Friendzone hill, haha!)

A glimpse of the Milky Way Galaxy

Clear sky!

Dark Skies vs Clouds and Light pollution from Metro Manila

While waiting for the sky to clear up…

Thank you PAS members and to Mr Ernie and Mrs. May Serrano, owners of the property, for allowing to use the site for night sky observation.

To the stars!

Experience Astronomy this Summer!

Stella's Gaze — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:53:40 +0000

March is here and my fellow Filipinos know that this month marks the beginning of summer in the Philippines! Therefore, clear skies will be frequent this month (hopefully!). If you’re willing to go away from the city and to be in awe of Comet PanSTARRS, the Milky Way galaxy, and other deep-sky objects, you shouldn’t miss the ff. observation opportunities to be held by two Philippine astronomical organizations:

Philippines Astronomical Society (PAS) will hold their overnight event (March 9-10) in Big Handy’s Grounds at Brgy Cayumbay, Tanay, Rizal:

Astronomical League of the Philippines (ALP) will host a Philippine Messier Marathon Open on March 9-10 and March 16-17 in Eco Saddle, Caliraya, Laguna. For details, visit their event calendar on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/404581339637332/

Clear skies everyone and happy observing!

To the stars!

March 3, 2013 Rainbow

Stella's Gaze — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 13:26:21 +0000

My boyfriend and I saw this rainbow on our way to church.

ISS Flyby

Stella's Gaze — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 13:48:35 +0000

A 15 sec image of the International Space Station (ISS) flyby as seen from Quezon City, Philippines on March 2, 2013. Its magnitude was -0.8 (source: http://www.heavens-above.com).

Moon and the City

Stella's Gaze — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 06:58:44 +0000

My time for astronomy became less to nil when I moved to Makati. Until I saw this big bright moon rising above the city, I realized how much I missed looking up and how I let myself succumbed to the realities of life. My time may have dwindled, but never my passion. The moon is above the city. It will always be higher than any skyscrapers in the world. Therefore, my passion is like the moon – it will never be overtaken by these worldly needs.

Crescent moon and clouds

Stella's Gaze — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 05:44:54 +0000

Slowly, silently, now the moon walks the night in her silver shoon – Walter de la Mare, Silver

National Astronomy Week 2013 Celebration Philippines

Stella's Gaze — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 10:42:09 +0000

Astronomical organizations in the Philippines are now preparing for the National Astronomy Week on Feb 17-23, 2013. The activities are for free and open to the public. Please click the images below for further details.

Happy NAW! To the stars!

Observe meteor showers after midnight

Stella's Gaze — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 10:10:10 +0000

This is the reason why it is best to observe meteor showers after midnight:

Many more meteors are likely to be seen after midnight than before, because it is then that Earth’s rotation – counterclockwise, as seen from above the North Pole – carries us onto the side of the planet that faces in the direction of Earth’s orbital motion. The Earth picks up more meteors on its leading than on its trailing side, for the same reason that a car speeding through the rain gets wetter on its windshield that on its rear window. – Timothy Ferris, Seeing in the Dark