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Bathurst Observatory Research Facility

2 weeks ago

Watch THIS Space, March 2025

With the exaggeration of the “planetary alignment” now hopefully past, it is time to focus on what in the sky this month and to offer a special astrophotographers month. More on that later in this post.

Firstly, there are still two planets to see. Jupiter, now North-north west and Mars more north this month after sunset. However, I know that my eyes this time of year turn southward and imaging of the Magellanic galaxies and the nebula near the Southern Cross. I have posted a sky map of this area of the sky. In particular, I love to image the Eta Carina Nebula, visible in sky map posted above the cross.

It will also be interesting for me at least to watch the continuing fading of the once great Comet G3 Atlas.

Now the exciting bit…. Do you have your own telescope and equipment, looking for a place to image or perhaps just set up and use for viewing? Well March is Astrophotographers month at the observatory. Other than full moon weekend, you can book a powered site to set up your equipment and image on either a Friday or Saturday night during March. Bookings will still be essential. This is in response to increasing requests from people wanting somewhere special to image from, away from big city lights! ... See MoreSee Less

Bathurst Observatory Research Facility

3 weeks ago

Comet Atlas G3 on the evening of the 17th of February. I changed to portrait orientation tonight. The sky was a bit clearer as well. Galaxy NGC 55 is still visible upper middle as well. The headless comet is about magnitude 7.0. The tail has broadened and there is still a secondary (twin) tail to the right of the main one. Image with 50mm lens in deep twilight. iso 4000. ... See MoreSee Less

Bathurst Observatory Research Facility

4 weeks ago

Well, Comet Atlas G3 is still visible, at least to the camera! This image was taken on the 15th February. The comet was visible as a faint smudge in binoculars with about 5 degrees of tail as well (well it is only tail!). The brighter star the tail passes through is B Scl mag 4.5. Image 50mm lens and stack of twenty 4s images at iso 4000. ... See MoreSee Less

Bathurst Observatory Research Facility

1 month ago

Watch THIS Space February 25

Firstly, before I start with what is in the sky this month, I know people are hanging out for tour dates. As my schedule gets busier and busier, I am finding it harder to find dates when I can do tours. This should get better after February once a few things free up for me. At present there is only ONE date, yes sadly one! That would be a tour on Saturday the 22nd. That tour would be at 9:00pm, bookings essential. I am so sorry about that, but it is the only evening I can squeeze one in! (Maybe I need a tour guide assistant to do the tours when I have research or other things!)

Now that the planet alignment hoax that the planets would line up on January 25th has passed, we can get onto looking at the planets when they ARE actually at the best. That being the month of February! Most of the planets will be sighted spread across the evening skies during February, from the west to the NE. Though some like Saturn and Mercury, will be much harder to sight. Bright Venus, in the west, Jupiter in the north, and Mars in the North East will be much easier to find.

Comet G3 Atlas, which dazzled us very low in the SW during January, broke up not long after passing the sun putting a lot of its material into the tail. Hence why the tail was so stunning. But alas the comet is fading fast and likely only a telescopic object (if at all visible in twilight) in February. It was interesting to witness the breakup and demise of this comet!

The summer Milky Way stretches almost north to south and contains many great star clusters and nebula to see. Eta Carina Nebula above the Southern Cross would definitely be one highlight. Late one evening, I also imaged the Monkey Head nebula which would be great for astrophotographers around now. Not really a visual nebula, even in the telescope, but a good target for an image. The image I obtained is this months, Watch THIS Space posted image! ... See MoreSee Less

Bathurst Observatory Research Facility

2 months ago

A close up image using a small 6 inch F5 telescope on the evening of the 21st January. As the comet's nucleus has broken up, a lot of material has been put into the tail. Note the bright streak in the coma (head) of the comet. This is the debris from the breakup spreading out. Lots of great rays to be seen in the tail as well. ... See MoreSee Less

Bathurst Observatory Research Facility

2 months ago

Single image of the Comet Atlas G3 on the 20th January from the small 6 inch telescope. Love the rays in the tail. It is still thought the comet is breaking up and likely why the tail shows more detail and has brightened. Little wispy cloud just below the comet. ... See MoreSee Less