Duncan Waldron
@ozalba.bsky.social
Planetarium astronomer • Feckless dillettante • Scot-ish • Signatory to the Subject-Verb Agreement • Book: http://blurb.com/b/2211254-from… • Skinflint, First Class • Eukaryote • Slightly above just below average
Hang on... is that related to Marvin, the paranoid android...?
November 17, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Hang on... is that related to Marvin, the paranoid android...?
Obligatory Orion pic, early in the season. Aldebaran at left; Sirius at right. 🔭
November 17, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Obligatory Orion pic, early in the season. Aldebaran at left; Sirius at right. 🔭
I was in the driver's seat when I took this self-portrait. I'll let the jury decide 🤪
November 11, 2025 at 10:49 AM
I was in the driver's seat when I took this self-portrait. I'll let the jury decide 🤪
Stop! It's salmon time.
November 6, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Stop! It's salmon time.
...was blazing away in the south. Probably this one, from 8-9 November 1991. Shooting film, of course, but I don't remember which one; the colours seemed frustratingly muted compared to normal.
November 6, 2025 at 6:55 AM
...was blazing away in the south. Probably this one, from 8-9 November 1991. Shooting film, of course, but I don't remember which one; the colours seemed frustratingly muted compared to normal.
Work within its limitations (or not...), and great photos can result. I think this Brownie SIX-20 C pic is passable. From a Brownie challenge some years ago on Twitter.
October 28, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Work within its limitations (or not...), and great photos can result. I think this Brownie SIX-20 C pic is passable. From a Brownie challenge some years ago on Twitter.
Had to stop on the way home this arvo, when the rain got a bit too enthusiastic. Had the opportunity to listen to a few thumbnail-sized hailstones whack the car roof too :-/
Shoulda opened YouTube to play A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall...
Shoulda opened YouTube to play A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall...
October 26, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Had to stop on the way home this arvo, when the rain got a bit too enthusiastic. Had the opportunity to listen to a few thumbnail-sized hailstones whack the car roof too :-/
Shoulda opened YouTube to play A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall...
Shoulda opened YouTube to play A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall...
October 24, 2025 at 9:44 AM
More #Seestar first impressions:
• …Pluto, at m<14.5, was visible after 3-4 minutes. Took it to 6m for this image. Stars as faint as m=15 (according to Stellarium) are visible.
• Battery discharged from 100% to 27% over 3-4 hours.
13/n 🔭
• …Pluto, at m<14.5, was visible after 3-4 minutes. Took it to 6m for this image. Stars as faint as m=15 (according to Stellarium) are visible.
• Battery discharged from 100% to 27% over 3-4 hours.
13/n 🔭
October 23, 2025 at 7:24 AM
More #Seestar first impressions:
• …Pluto, at m<14.5, was visible after 3-4 minutes. Took it to 6m for this image. Stars as faint as m=15 (according to Stellarium) are visible.
• Battery discharged from 100% to 27% over 3-4 hours.
13/n 🔭
• …Pluto, at m<14.5, was visible after 3-4 minutes. Took it to 6m for this image. Stars as faint as m=15 (according to Stellarium) are visible.
• Battery discharged from 100% to 27% over 3-4 hours.
13/n 🔭
I'm hoping I can access the RAW files for these comet images, so I can create a properly stacked final image. It seems that any attempt to track a moving object like a comet, with the #Seestar, is likely to fail. My approach was to centre on the comet, quit & return to the start menu, then…/ 5/n 🔭
October 23, 2025 at 6:29 AM
I'm hoping I can access the RAW files for these comet images, so I can create a properly stacked final image. It seems that any attempt to track a moving object like a comet, with the #Seestar, is likely to fail. My approach was to centre on the comet, quit & return to the start menu, then…/ 5/n 🔭
Two more attempts at C/2025 R2 (SWAN). The first, supposedly tracking the comet (while also presumably trying to stack the star field images), shows some non-uniform motion of the comet. The second, making no attempt to follow the comet, shows a more uniform comet trail plus sharp stars. 4/n 🔭
October 23, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Two more attempts at C/2025 R2 (SWAN). The first, supposedly tracking the comet (while also presumably trying to stack the star field images), shows some non-uniform motion of the comet. The second, making no attempt to follow the comet, shows a more uniform comet trail plus sharp stars. 4/n 🔭
LDN 1795; near Baade's Window, at the boundary of Sagittarius & Scorpius, it needs more time to properly show the contrast between the dark molecular cloud and the brightness of star clouds near the galactic centre, but a tree got in the way… Also, open cluster Messier 7. 3/n 🔭
October 23, 2025 at 6:08 AM
LDN 1795; near Baade's Window, at the boundary of Sagittarius & Scorpius, it needs more time to properly show the contrast between the dark molecular cloud and the brightness of star clouds near the galactic centre, but a tree got in the way… Also, open cluster Messier 7. 3/n 🔭
Large and Small Magellanic Clouds now, both of which are too large for the #Seestar S50 field of view; the S30 would be better. A measure of the relative brightness of LMC &SMC is that SMC had 4x exposure of LMC, for similar appearance in the image. 2/n 🔭
October 23, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Large and Small Magellanic Clouds now, both of which are too large for the #Seestar S50 field of view; the S30 would be better. A measure of the relative brightness of LMC &SMC is that SMC had 4x exposure of LMC, for similar appearance in the image. 2/n 🔭
Another session with the #Seestar S50 last night. Getting a feel for what it can/can't do, but there's much to learn—including accessing/using the RAW files; maybe this weekend. Also need to test it in a dark sky, not suburban.
Here's 3x Orion neb w/ different exposures, and the Helix nebula. 1/n 🔭
Here's 3x Orion neb w/ different exposures, and the Helix nebula. 1/n 🔭
October 23, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Another session with the #Seestar S50 last night. Getting a feel for what it can/can't do, but there's much to learn—including accessing/using the RAW files; maybe this weekend. Also need to test it in a dark sky, not suburban.
Here's 3x Orion neb w/ different exposures, and the Helix nebula. 1/n 🔭
Here's 3x Orion neb w/ different exposures, and the Helix nebula. 1/n 🔭
Good, good. I'll have access to the work scopes for another 2-3 years, so there's incentive for you :)
And the guest accommodation should be ready by then. It's a bit open the the elements atm 🤪
And the guest accommodation should be ready by then. It's a bit open the the elements atm 🤪
October 21, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Good, good. I'll have access to the work scopes for another 2-3 years, so there's incentive for you :)
And the guest accommodation should be ready by then. It's a bit open the the elements atm 🤪
And the guest accommodation should be ready by then. It's a bit open the the elements atm 🤪
Answer: a target that the telescope doesn't have trouble tracking. It kept failing on the comet, so I spent the evening having my first proper play with the Seestar 50 on more cooperative targets. 🔭
October 21, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Answer: a target that the telescope doesn't have trouble tracking. It kept failing on the comet, so I spent the evening having my first proper play with the Seestar 50 on more cooperative targets. 🔭
A glass of wine, a comet, and a smart telescope; what more could a person want? 🔭
October 21, 2025 at 1:47 PM
A glass of wine, a comet, and a smart telescope; what more could a person want? 🔭
Haven't had many clear skies lately, but tonight obliged so I pointed a camera at comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN). 16 6-second exposures, ISO-1600, f2.8.
In the photo, SWAN is comparable in brightness to M22, but through 9x63B, it was more like M23 appears in the photo. 🔭
In the photo, SWAN is comparable in brightness to M22, but through 9x63B, it was more like M23 appears in the photo. 🔭
October 20, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Haven't had many clear skies lately, but tonight obliged so I pointed a camera at comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN). 16 6-second exposures, ISO-1600, f2.8.
In the photo, SWAN is comparable in brightness to M22, but through 9x63B, it was more like M23 appears in the photo. 🔭
In the photo, SWAN is comparable in brightness to M22, but through 9x63B, it was more like M23 appears in the photo. 🔭
Brings to mind the BSL sign for Trump:
October 20, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Brings to mind the BSL sign for Trump:
Aaannd... the young photographer at The Daily Planet is toting a brand-new Praktica L plus Domiplan lens, with toy flashgun. I reckon Weegee would be turning in his grave (but still getting the shot). #BelieveInFilm
October 19, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Aaannd... the young photographer at The Daily Planet is toting a brand-new Praktica L plus Domiplan lens, with toy flashgun. I reckon Weegee would be turning in his grave (but still getting the shot). #BelieveInFilm
I don't recall being hassled by wee fruit flies in Scotland. Tonight I've resorted to a lid and a decoy glass, but I don't think they're entirely fooled.
Where do they hang out, before the wine is poured?
Where do they hang out, before the wine is poured?
October 19, 2025 at 9:00 AM
I don't recall being hassled by wee fruit flies in Scotland. Tonight I've resorted to a lid and a decoy glass, but I don't think they're entirely fooled.
Where do they hang out, before the wine is poured?
Where do they hang out, before the wine is poured?
Let's dredge up an oldie.
🔭
🔭
October 14, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Let's dredge up an oldie.
🔭
🔭
Of course, you never met Ambar, did you? Or the stray-cum resident Wylder*.
* He arrived after Oscar, both having lived across the road at one stage**, but while Wylder just wanted to companion the hell out of Oscar, Oscar wanted none of it.
** Maybe I'll write a book about it, one day.
* He arrived after Oscar, both having lived across the road at one stage**, but while Wylder just wanted to companion the hell out of Oscar, Oscar wanted none of it.
** Maybe I'll write a book about it, one day.
October 10, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Of course, you never met Ambar, did you? Or the stray-cum resident Wylder*.
* He arrived after Oscar, both having lived across the road at one stage**, but while Wylder just wanted to companion the hell out of Oscar, Oscar wanted none of it.
** Maybe I'll write a book about it, one day.
* He arrived after Oscar, both having lived across the road at one stage**, but while Wylder just wanted to companion the hell out of Oscar, Oscar wanted none of it.
** Maybe I'll write a book about it, one day.
Wife and I have just licked our beef-gravy-laden plates clean, but our kids, both gracing us with their presence tonight, did not. What kind of children have we raised?
October 7, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Wife and I have just licked our beef-gravy-laden plates clean, but our kids, both gracing us with their presence tonight, did not. What kind of children have we raised?
Atypically for me, I'm on a whiskey (as distinct from whisky) tonight. The malt is aged only 3 years, but it's rather pleasant, as was the reduced price. Had I known, I'd perhaps have bought a case. Slàinte, or sláinte—depending on which side of the Irish Sea you're on.
October 2, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Atypically for me, I'm on a whiskey (as distinct from whisky) tonight. The malt is aged only 3 years, but it's rather pleasant, as was the reduced price. Had I known, I'd perhaps have bought a case. Slàinte, or sláinte—depending on which side of the Irish Sea you're on.