Hunting The Hunter Moon Halo

[martinastro]

Last night's full Moon, known as the 'Hunter Moon' rose in a crystal clear sky. I took this shot from my back garden not long after sunset as the crisp disk cleared the rooftops. I was looking for halo phenomena but since the sky was clear it looked hopeless. The following a day a weak front was expected to cross the country producing rain so I guessed that high level cloud ahead of this system could arrive during the night creating the correct conditions for atmospheric optics. I went out for a check at 04.00 BST and seen a gorgeous 22d halo around the Moon which was located high in the SW sky. The halo was a complete 360d ring of ghostly white and blue colour with geat definition with an UTA. I took this image from near home using a 58mm super wide angle lens. Field curvature is every strong when the lens is wide open like this. ISO400, 15 sec's at F/4.

[jgs001]

Well caught Martin.

[brianb]

Well spotted, Martin - I'd long since given up, the combination of full moon & extensive cirrus was making observing difficult, when I retired at around 1am there was a very weak halo, barely discernible, not worth photographing.

Next time you're out, earlyish, and cursed with a clear sky, take a look at Chi Cygni - last night I found it to be above mag. 5.0, having risen over 3 mags in the last 3 weeks, and the maximum isn't due until Nov 3rd. But remember that forecasts of behaviour of Mira type stars are more in the nature of a weather forecast than an accurate prediction, the time and brightness at maximum can differ considerably from the prediction.

[Tyler]

nice shot. saw it on spaceweather first. 

[martinastro]

Thanks very much John, Brian and Tyler. I will keep an eye out for Chi Brian, could be worth an image or two. Those Mira variables are fascinating!. Cheers.

* Just caught some great moonbows tonight. The conditions are perfect for them here. Check out the sky before the Moon gets too high.  Will post images tommorow.

[Paul]

Martin, that's class, and congrats on the SW publication linked from the front page - actually I prefer the one on SW with you in it

Great stuff!

Paul.

[Big Dipper]

Congratulations Martin - and feel free to send any unwanted clear nights in my direction. 

[martinastro]

Thanks for that Paul. 

Andy, I will send you the clear skies, but if it's a moonless night....forget it 

Cheers

[Steveo74]

Lovely shots Martin!!! both are very striking.... 

[Roman White]

Really nice truck, Martin  ...and the halo too.