Tag Archive: Observation


Deep-Sky Observing Marathon

Filed under: Astronomy, Astrophotography, Events, Messier Objects, Milky Way, Naked-Eye Astronomy, Public Viewing, Stargazing, Visual, Wide-field — Leave a comment
March 4, 2013

The Philippine Astronomical Society will be hosting a Deep-Sky Observing Marathon on March 9-10, 2013, at Big Handy’s Grounds in Tanay, Rizal. Interested participants may kindly confirm their attendance with PAS Observation Chairperson Von Delelis (Contact: 09228320401). The Philippine Astronomical Society holds an annual stargazing session to take advantage of cloudless summer nights during months of March and April each year.

PAS

Last year’s stargazing session hosted by the Philippine Astronomical Society (Photo Credit: Margie Parinas)

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Philippine Messier Marathon 2013

Filed under: Astronomy, Astrophotography, Events, Messier Objects, Milky Way, Naked-Eye Astronomy, Public Viewing, Stargazing, Visual, Wide-field — Leave a comment
February 24, 2013

The Philippine Messier Marathon Open is an annual star party conducted under the dark clear skies of Caliraya, Laguna, where astronomy-enthusiasts in the country gather to observe and meet fellow enthusiasts. The highlight of the event is the messier marathon — astro-enthusiasts attempt to observe and identify all the 110 m-objects in just one night. This year, the first wave of the event (there will be a series of stargazing events) will be on March 9, 2013, at Eco Saddle Resort in Caliraya, Laguna. Interested parties are encouraged to confirm their attendance in the Philippine Messier Marathon 2013‘s event page.

mm2013poster

For inquiries, contact Peter Tubalinal, the Philippine Messier Marathon 2013 Chair/Organizer at 09479785001. Photo Credit: Peter Tubalinal

This event hosted by the Astronomical League of the Philippines is by far the largest star party and astro-gathering in the Philippines.

Related link: Philippine Messier Marathon 2012

For previous observations, click here.

To receive timely updates on upcoming astronomical events/observations, click here.

For tutorials on how to get started with astrophotography, click here.

© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

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Venus Transit of 2012 (June 6, 2012)

Filed under: Observation, Public Viewing, Transit, Visual — 7 Comments
June 5, 2012

The Venus Transit of 2012 is considered as the rarest predictable astronomical event. It is so rare that one person can only observe it for a maximum of 2 times in his or her lifetime. It occurs when the Sun, the planet Venus, and the Earth are in perfect alignment with each other. As viewed from the Earth, Venus appears as a black dot moving across the disc of the Sun.

Shown below is a brief summary of my observation as part of the Rekindling Venus public viewing and observation held in UP Diliman. The next Venus transit will occur on December 2117.

Organizers of the event pose for a group shot. Photo Credit: Angelie Alagao

Transit-in-progress approaching the final stages of the transit 11:28 am Photo Credit: Anthony Urbano

Read more.

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Our Countdown Sequence for the Venus Transit 2012

Filed under: Events, Observation, Public Viewing, Transit, Visual — 2 Comments
June 5, 2012
Circumstances:UP College of Science Amphitheater

14° 38′ 59.1″ N, 121° 04′ 18.8″ E (14.64975° N, 121.07189° E)

06:12:46 First Contact

06:30:44 Second Contact

09:31:22 Maximum Transit

12:30:16 Third Contact

12:47:54 Fourth Contact
05:42:46 First contact in 30 minutes, check equipment and perform systems check
06:02:46 First contact in 10 minutes, confirm that the target is in the center of the field
06:07:46 First contact in 5 minutes, get ready to record
06:10:46 First contact in 2 minutes, start recording
06:12:36 First contact in 10 seconds on my mark (countdown: 7,6,5,4,3,2,1)
06:12:46 (key time, shout “mark!”; visual observer and video recorder please confirm)
06:14:46 2 minutes after first contact, stop recording
(rest: ~5 minutes)
06:20:44 Second contact in 10 minutes, confirm that the target is in the center of the field
06:25:44 Second contact in 5 minutes, get ready to record
06:28:44 Second contact in 2 minutes, start recording
06:30:34 Second contact in 10 seconds on my mark (countdown: 7,6,5,4,3,2,1)
06:30:44 (key time, shout “mark!”; visual observer and video recorder please confirm)
06:32:44 2 minutes after second contact, stop recording
(public viewing/imaging: ~4 hours 28 minutes, Transit Maximum at 09:31:22)
12:00:16 Third contact in 30 minutes, check equipment and perform systems check
12:20:16 Third contact in 10 minutes, confirm that the target is in the center of the field
12:25:16 Third contact in 5 minutes, get ready to record
12:28:16 Third contact in 2 minutes, start recording
12:30:06 Third contact in 10 seconds on my mark (countdown: 7,6,5,4,3,2,1)
12:30:16 (key time, shout “mark!”; visual observer and video recorder please confirm)
12:32:16 2 minutes after third contact, stop recording
(rest: ~5 minutes)
12:37:54 Fourth contact in 10 minutes, confirm that the target is in the center of the field
12:42:54 Fourth contact in 5 minutes, get ready to record
12:45:54 Fourth contact in 2 minutes, start recording
12:47:44 Fourth contact in 10 seconds on my mark (countdown: 7,6,5,4,3,2,1)
12:47:54 (key time, shout “mark!”; visual observer and video recorder please confirm)
12:49:54 2 minutes after Fourth contact, stop recording
(end of observation)
 Copyright 2012 by Anthony Urbano
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Venus Transit Tomorrow, June 6, 2012 (Philippines)

Filed under: Events, Observation, Public Viewing, Transit, Visual — 3 Comments
June 5, 2012

The College of Science Amphitheater in UP Diliman with my telescope in the foreground :) See you there!

Where will you be observing tomorrow’s Venus Transit? Join the largest collaborative observation in the country at the College of Science Amphitheater, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City!

Here are the circumstances computed for the coordinates of our observation site:

Circumstances for the UP College of Science Amphitheater
courtesy of  Mr. Bamm Gabriana*

14° 38′ 59.1″ N, 121° 04′ 18.8″ E (14.64975° N, 121.07189° E)

05:25:32 Sunrise, Azimuth 66°
05:27:25 Venus Rises
06:12:46 1st Contact, PA 041°
06:30:44 2nd Contact, PA 039°
09:31:22 Max Transit, PA 346°
12:30:16 3rd Contact, PA 293°
12:47:54 4th Contact, PA 291°

*Bamm has a passion for astronomical computation and prediction. He currently teaches astronomy at the Rizal Technological University

As of the moment, there are more than 500 confirmed attendees. This collaborative event is by far the largest public viewing and observation ever organized in the Philippines! Hope to see you there! :)

Clear skies!

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Partial Lunar Eclipse (June 4, 2012)

Filed under: Astrophotography, Eclipse, Moon, Observation — Leave a comment
June 5, 2012

Sky-Watcher 4 in f/9 refractor, Kenko NES mount, Canon 450D DSLR, 1/125 sec exposure at ISO 400. CS Amphitheater, UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, June 4, 2012, 7:15 pm local time. Photo Credit: Anthony Urbano

I was just supposed to use my DSLR to capture the partial lunar eclipse, but upon seeing the eastern horizon slowly clearing up, I immediately rushed home to get my scope and then travel to UP Diliman just in time to capture the eclipse during its maximum.


June 4, 2012 Partial Lunar Eclipse observation at the College of Science Amphitheater in UP Diliman with members of the UP Astronomical Society

For featured photos, click here.
For tutorials on how to get started with astrophotography, click here.
For DIY astronomy projects useful for astrophotography, click here.
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© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

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