Astronomy, Photography and Weather

Here's something a bit different - a total accident.

I was focusing up my Canon 40D + 300mm f/2.8 lens to image Comet Lulin by hand holding & pointing at Arcturus when the shutter accidentally fired. The camera was set to 5 sec, f/2.8, ISO 800 .... I just tried to hold the camera steady, not easy when you can't see through the viewfinder, & it weighs approx. 3 KGs too. This is a crop from the centre of the image.

Yeah, the colour is off, blame the CLS (light pollution) filter!
(http://www.bbhvig.uklinux.net/IMG_0965.jpg)

Hey Brian, you may have discovered a new art form there!

Starpainting would be a good term.  Nice one :D

That's an intriguingly different image.

Had you forgotten the tripod, Brian  ? Lol. 

No --- the camera was going to to an Astrotrac driven mount but it's easier to focus up the scope then clip the camera onto the head. (The top head is a Manfrotto 405 geared head which provides slow motions in RA & Dec for aiming the camera, but sometimes things get into awkward positions). I know from previous experience that my Canons are sensitive enough to autofocus on a mag 1 star provided that they're set to use the most sensitive (centre) AF spot. Waving the camera by hand is good enough to get the focusing done - then switch to manual focus to lock it. This time the shutter fired "unexpectedly" .... done this lots of times & it's the first time I've had an "accident".

I'm quite pleased with the effect!

Yes very artistic Brian. If that's your first accident then you're way ahead of me.

Talking of Lulin tomorrow which is the closest approach between Lulin and Saturn is forecast to be clouded out (as is tonight). Don't these clouds realize that tomorrow is a once in a lifetime event!!!  >:(

That's precisely why they're there.

LOl..I didn't expect such a detailed reply, Brian.  or even a reply .Thank you .You do appreciate though that some of it went over my head but I get the gist , obviously a good result for you.  :)