Tuesday 22 December 2020

Shetland nights

Shetland offers many photo opportunities not just during the day

Just recently, the Aurora has been showing for several nights hopefully more to come before the year end

These red lights on top of wind turbines will be more problematic when the Viking Wind Farm is constructed destroying our night sky in the central mainland

The lights will be seen 25 miles away so might be more difficult for Aurora photography from this location at Tingwall loch



Cloud and light pollution, together with Christmas lights always causes problems. This looking towards Ireland near Bigton

Up to the great event, we were able to see Jupiter and Saturn getting closer. The problem on the night was cloud but very strong winds before caused a lot of issues trying to photograph it
 


Don't forget to join Shetland Aurora Hunter on facebook for the latest information

also my new blog https://shetlandsolar.blogspot.com/

Thursday 17 December 2020

Saturn and Jupiter getting close in Shetland

On Monday I thought I better make the most of a part clear sky to photograph Saturn and Jupiter who are getting close together


This is the best Saturn photo i have taken ,using a 150-600 sigma lens

A bit of cloud but luckly it cleared away and the wind dropped


Photo from St Ninian's looking SW towards Fitful Head


Jupiter showing a few of its Moons


The conjunction will be at its best on the 21 December , when the two planets will be the closest in 400 years.

German astronomer, Johannes Kepler, wrote in 1614 that he believed that the `Star of Bethlehem' in the Nativity story could have been the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Other suggest that the three wise men could have been following a triple conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn and Venus.

check out my new blog Shetland Solar Photography 

Many thanks have a great Christmas




Sunday 13 December 2020

Aurora not as predicted

Everyone was predicting a big Aurora a few days ago and what happened, nothing

Nothing showing down at Sandsayre

Nothing but red lights from the wind turbines

We will have to get used to these red warning lights on turbines when the 103 larger Viking turbines are erected in the central mainland, they will be seen 25 miles away destroying any night sky

Milky Way at Tingwall

Slight bit of green at Tingwall


A bit more green this time down at Bigton


A bit more still over Bigton but this more like a KP2 rather than a KP6 that was forecast


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Friday 4 December 2020

A clear night in Shetland

 Had a trip down to Sanick in Sandwick the other night. Conditions were more or less perfect, still and warmish but a few clouds came in




Looking over the bay towards the farm






It was good to pick out Mars just above the moon

Shetland Aurora Hunter (Facebook) is the best place to keep track of the Aurora and other nightime photos


My photos can now be purchased on the above link, many choices, sizes and prices