Astronomy, Photography and Weather

Hot of the press for you all here!  I used the Faulkes Telescopes N&S today to make observations for the BBC Stargazing Live Event - whilst unfortunately FTS in Australia was rained out all day, and observations on FTN in Hawaii  were very intermittent due to poor weather there, I did manage to get a 30 minute run imaging the recently impacted asteroid (596) Scheila - this confused all the boffins by displaying both asteroidal and cometary behaviour simultaneously in the form of a coma and possible tail.  Unfortunately I was unable to see the coma at all, however I put together an animation which shows its rapid motion over the sky in a 25 minute period.  It's quite a big file, so apologies!

(http://i53.tinypic.com/11mdyfm.gif)

I've sent it off to the BBC so fingers crossed I may get it on wednesdays programme.  I did manage to get a few images for the Crab Nebula this morning aswell with FTN, however cloud was rolling in and I fear despite no amount of post processing that i'm flogging a dead horse with the M1 data, ah well, we will see.  Fingers crossed I have another 2 slots on FT tomorrow, so hopefully the weather will be better!

Hope you like it,
Mark :)

Congratulations Mark, your time and dedication has really paid off. Schelia is really moving very quickly. Good luck on having it presented on the telecast!

Excellent work Mark!!, she is really moving, love the rotation  ;)

Top job,Mark.

Thanks for the kind words chaps! I really enjoyed getting this image today, hopefully there will be a couple more available slots tomorrow if i'm lucky :)

Nicely done Mark. I shall keep my fingers crossed for tomorrow's Stargazing Live. (http://www.mackenzie1963.freeserve.co.uk/Smilies/Angry3_files/crossfingers.gif)