bobreflected
@bobreflected.bsky.social
Emeritus Professor of Materials Physics.
Public understanding of science. Astrophotography (more aspiration than success 😉); Creative Writing; occasional blogger: https://bobreflected.blogspot.com.
Husband, father, grandfather, believer.
Public understanding of science. Astrophotography (more aspiration than success 😉); Creative Writing; occasional blogger: https://bobreflected.blogspot.com.
Husband, father, grandfather, believer.
Active regions on the Sun this afternoon, as seen from my garden.
We're only just beyond the peak of the solar activity cycle and it shows in the number and size of the active regions - lots of sunspots 🙂
(Taken through a neutral solar filter using my pet robot - a Dwarf3 smart telescope.)
We're only just beyond the peak of the solar activity cycle and it shows in the number and size of the active regions - lots of sunspots 🙂
(Taken through a neutral solar filter using my pet robot - a Dwarf3 smart telescope.)
November 9, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Active regions on the Sun this afternoon, as seen from my garden.
We're only just beyond the peak of the solar activity cycle and it shows in the number and size of the active regions - lots of sunspots 🙂
(Taken through a neutral solar filter using my pet robot - a Dwarf3 smart telescope.)
We're only just beyond the peak of the solar activity cycle and it shows in the number and size of the active regions - lots of sunspots 🙂
(Taken through a neutral solar filter using my pet robot - a Dwarf3 smart telescope.)
After nothing since January, two image-centred blog posts within a week (with more waiting in the wings). The first was on binary star systems I've imaged from my garden whereas this second one goes up in scale to star clusters.
#astronomy #astrophography
bobreflected.blogspot.com/2025/11/clus...
#astronomy #astrophography
bobreflected.blogspot.com/2025/11/clus...
November 5, 2025 at 4:01 PM
After nothing since January, two image-centred blog posts within a week (with more waiting in the wings). The first was on binary star systems I've imaged from my garden whereas this second one goes up in scale to star clusters.
#astronomy #astrophography
bobreflected.blogspot.com/2025/11/clus...
#astronomy #astrophography
bobreflected.blogspot.com/2025/11/clus...
There is a writer's aphorism: 'I write in order to know what I think'; I buy into the sense of that.
After and absence of several months, here is the first in a planned short series of blog posts in which I try to catch up with my hobby of astrophotography😉
bobreflected.blogspot.com/2025/11/bina...
After and absence of several months, here is the first in a planned short series of blog posts in which I try to catch up with my hobby of astrophotography😉
bobreflected.blogspot.com/2025/11/bina...
November 1, 2025 at 12:19 PM
There is a writer's aphorism: 'I write in order to know what I think'; I buy into the sense of that.
After and absence of several months, here is the first in a planned short series of blog posts in which I try to catch up with my hobby of astrophotography😉
bobreflected.blogspot.com/2025/11/bina...
After and absence of several months, here is the first in a planned short series of blog posts in which I try to catch up with my hobby of astrophotography😉
bobreflected.blogspot.com/2025/11/bina...
The Sun and its spots as of yesterday morning.
(Not the best image in the world, but I have an open #astronomy observing evening coming up and wanted to see whether my decade-old tablet would run my Dwarf3 'robot'. Evidently it does 🙂. It'll be good to have a larger screen to show around.)
(Not the best image in the world, but I have an open #astronomy observing evening coming up and wanted to see whether my decade-old tablet would run my Dwarf3 'robot'. Evidently it does 🙂. It'll be good to have a larger screen to show around.)
October 27, 2025 at 9:18 AM
The Sun and its spots as of yesterday morning.
(Not the best image in the world, but I have an open #astronomy observing evening coming up and wanted to see whether my decade-old tablet would run my Dwarf3 'robot'. Evidently it does 🙂. It'll be good to have a larger screen to show around.)
(Not the best image in the world, but I have an open #astronomy observing evening coming up and wanted to see whether my decade-old tablet would run my Dwarf3 'robot'. Evidently it does 🙂. It'll be good to have a larger screen to show around.)
I couldn't stop myself having yet another bash at processing my M31 Andromeda data from last year. This really is a tricky target, but I'm learning a lot ... I hope.
October 23, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I couldn't stop myself having yet another bash at processing my M31 Andromeda data from last year. This really is a tricky target, but I'm learning a lot ... I hope.
The Altair version of that camera and an Altair 80edr ...
October 18, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The Altair version of that camera and an Altair 80edr ...
Another celestial shock wave - this time giving us the Crescent Nebula. This is the final bit of unprocessed data from earlier in the summer - basic details in the caption.
October 15, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Another celestial shock wave - this time giving us the Crescent Nebula. This is the final bit of unprocessed data from earlier in the summer - basic details in the caption.
I've finally got my head back in gear enough to look at some unprocessed data from a clear night way back in August.
This is a second attempt at the Bubble Nebula (NGC7635) but my first use of 'star-removal' software to avoid the dull-glowing hydrogen from being swamped.
This is a second attempt at the Bubble Nebula (NGC7635) but my first use of 'star-removal' software to avoid the dull-glowing hydrogen from being swamped.
October 14, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I've finally got my head back in gear enough to look at some unprocessed data from a clear night way back in August.
This is a second attempt at the Bubble Nebula (NGC7635) but my first use of 'star-removal' software to avoid the dull-glowing hydrogen from being swamped.
This is a second attempt at the Bubble Nebula (NGC7635) but my first use of 'star-removal' software to avoid the dull-glowing hydrogen from being swamped.
These can be such fun events: when we had a partial eclipse recently I welcomed more than 30 neighbours and walkers into my front garden to view it. (Including a group of young backpackers.)
October 11, 2025 at 6:23 AM
These can be such fun events: when we had a partial eclipse recently I welcomed more than 30 neighbours and walkers into my front garden to view it. (Including a group of young backpackers.)
Lovely - my one unsatisfactory attempt is from a couple of years ago when I was still very much at the beginning of long-exposure astrophotography.
September 28, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Lovely - my one unsatisfactory attempt is from a couple of years ago when I was still very much at the beginning of long-exposure astrophotography.
and this is mine ...
September 23, 2025 at 6:06 PM
and this is mine ...
I'm pleased with this assemblage of secondhand kit: headless photographic tripod, Skywatcher wedge and my old but seldom-used Celestron power pack. I now have a really sturdy 'EQ' mount for my Dwarf3 with enough power for a long winter's night of astrophotography - and still eminently portable 🙂
September 19, 2025 at 6:08 AM
I'm pleased with this assemblage of secondhand kit: headless photographic tripod, Skywatcher wedge and my old but seldom-used Celestron power pack. I now have a really sturdy 'EQ' mount for my Dwarf3 with enough power for a long winter's night of astrophotography - and still eminently portable 🙂
Moonrise here was six minutes ago. The cloud cover is so dense that there's no hope of seeing the eclipse this time around. Oh well, patience is a virtue ...
September 7, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Moonrise here was six minutes ago. The cloud cover is so dense that there's no hope of seeing the eclipse this time around. Oh well, patience is a virtue ...
Over my house just now ...
September 7, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Over my house just now ...
I've just signed this open letter in support of science & discovery centres in the UK.
Maybe you'd like to add your name?
Maybe you'd like to add your name?
August 31, 2025 at 10:51 AM
I've just signed this open letter in support of science & discovery centres in the UK.
Maybe you'd like to add your name?
Maybe you'd like to add your name?
Absolutely right.
Your 'incidental' image is better than mine - but I guess we were both going after SN2025rbs. I loved seeing Stephan's Quartet and the Deer Lick Group as a bonus.
Your 'incidental' image is better than mine - but I guess we were both going after SN2025rbs. I loved seeing Stephan's Quartet and the Deer Lick Group as a bonus.
August 21, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Absolutely right.
Your 'incidental' image is better than mine - but I guess we were both going after SN2025rbs. I loved seeing Stephan's Quartet and the Deer Lick Group as a bonus.
Your 'incidental' image is better than mine - but I guess we were both going after SN2025rbs. I loved seeing Stephan's Quartet and the Deer Lick Group as a bonus.
... and some more:
August 17, 2025 at 4:59 PM
... and some more:
I've tinkered a little with my first batch of Dwarf3 deep sky images (using AffinityPhoto2). I'm pleased with my new pet robot.
Still experimenting, still learning ...
Still experimenting, still learning ...
August 17, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I've tinkered a little with my first batch of Dwarf3 deep sky images (using AffinityPhoto2). I'm pleased with my new pet robot.
Still experimenting, still learning ...
Still experimenting, still learning ...
My pet robot (Dwarf3) worked hard for 5 hrs last night for this image of Andromeda 🙂
It even gave me the option of a star-free image, although I'm not a fan of the look (but it might be useful if I tinker with the images on my PC later 🤔). Everything here done from the Dwarf phone app.
It even gave me the option of a star-free image, although I'm not a fan of the look (but it might be useful if I tinker with the images on my PC later 🤔). Everything here done from the Dwarf phone app.
August 15, 2025 at 12:32 PM
My pet robot (Dwarf3) worked hard for 5 hrs last night for this image of Andromeda 🙂
It even gave me the option of a star-free image, although I'm not a fan of the look (but it might be useful if I tinker with the images on my PC later 🤔). Everything here done from the Dwarf phone app.
It even gave me the option of a star-free image, although I'm not a fan of the look (but it might be useful if I tinker with the images on my PC later 🤔). Everything here done from the Dwarf phone app.
From a few days ago: M27, the Dumbbell planetary nebula.
A pretty remnant of a star's decline.
(Almost 15,000 years ago an ageing star puffed off its out layers - just as our Sun will do - leaving a cooling white dwarf behind.)
A pretty remnant of a star's decline.
(Almost 15,000 years ago an ageing star puffed off its out layers - just as our Sun will do - leaving a cooling white dwarf behind.)
August 13, 2025 at 12:09 PM
From a few days ago: M27, the Dumbbell planetary nebula.
A pretty remnant of a star's decline.
(Almost 15,000 years ago an ageing star puffed off its out layers - just as our Sun will do - leaving a cooling white dwarf behind.)
A pretty remnant of a star's decline.
(Almost 15,000 years ago an ageing star puffed off its out layers - just as our Sun will do - leaving a cooling white dwarf behind.)
My 'observatory' under a dust sheet to keep a little more of the sunlight off.
I love dry periods where there are several clear nights in a row as I only need to make the multiple trips to/from my garage, polar align etc. once. However, ...
#astrophotography
I love dry periods where there are several clear nights in a row as I only need to make the multiple trips to/from my garage, polar align etc. once. However, ...
#astrophotography
August 12, 2025 at 1:59 PM
My 'observatory' under a dust sheet to keep a little more of the sunlight off.
I love dry periods where there are several clear nights in a row as I only need to make the multiple trips to/from my garage, polar align etc. once. However, ...
#astrophotography
I love dry periods where there are several clear nights in a row as I only need to make the multiple trips to/from my garage, polar align etc. once. However, ...
#astrophotography
I can't compete with that 🫡
I occasionally put out an old wildlife camera for the local hedgehogs - it captured me back in the spring. I guess the only eccentricity is the generic one associated with all astronomy enthusiasts. (My laptop is hidden in a pop-up 'tent' sold for pets😉)
I occasionally put out an old wildlife camera for the local hedgehogs - it captured me back in the spring. I guess the only eccentricity is the generic one associated with all astronomy enthusiasts. (My laptop is hidden in a pop-up 'tent' sold for pets😉)
August 12, 2025 at 10:16 AM
I can't compete with that 🫡
I occasionally put out an old wildlife camera for the local hedgehogs - it captured me back in the spring. I guess the only eccentricity is the generic one associated with all astronomy enthusiasts. (My laptop is hidden in a pop-up 'tent' sold for pets😉)
I occasionally put out an old wildlife camera for the local hedgehogs - it captured me back in the spring. I guess the only eccentricity is the generic one associated with all astronomy enthusiasts. (My laptop is hidden in a pop-up 'tent' sold for pets😉)
I'm slowly getting the hang of my Dwarf3, and what it's good at. Last night I pointed it at the North America nebula; the result using only on-phone processing - is quite pleasing.
The lesson for me was clear: play to the strengths of the kit and stop attempting like-for-like comparisons 😉
The lesson for me was clear: play to the strengths of the kit and stop attempting like-for-like comparisons 😉
August 11, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I'm slowly getting the hang of my Dwarf3, and what it's good at. Last night I pointed it at the North America nebula; the result using only on-phone processing - is quite pleasing.
The lesson for me was clear: play to the strengths of the kit and stop attempting like-for-like comparisons 😉
The lesson for me was clear: play to the strengths of the kit and stop attempting like-for-like comparisons 😉
Impressive
I had my first outing with mine last night. I chose the Bubble nebula because I had a good view of it and an idea of what it 'should' look like. I've had no time to process the subs yet but the raw live-stack looks promising.
I had my first outing with mine last night. I chose the Bubble nebula because I had a good view of it and an idea of what it 'should' look like. I've had no time to process the subs yet but the raw live-stack looks promising.
August 6, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Impressive
I had my first outing with mine last night. I chose the Bubble nebula because I had a good view of it and an idea of what it 'should' look like. I've had no time to process the subs yet but the raw live-stack looks promising.
I had my first outing with mine last night. I chose the Bubble nebula because I had a good view of it and an idea of what it 'should' look like. I've had no time to process the subs yet but the raw live-stack looks promising.
Well done. I got to bed about the same time as it turns out - imaging the new supernova in NGC7331 using my old 80 mm refractor ... and using my new Dwarf3 for the first time. We've had weeks of short and cloudy nights and it was good to get back out there in one of my 'happy places' 🙂.
August 6, 2025 at 6:24 AM
Well done. I got to bed about the same time as it turns out - imaging the new supernova in NGC7331 using my old 80 mm refractor ... and using my new Dwarf3 for the first time. We've had weeks of short and cloudy nights and it was good to get back out there in one of my 'happy places' 🙂.