Aurora Sandwick, Shetland

The Wednesday night forecast was looking good for an Aurora and even the weather looked promising. I went out at 9pm just as an Orange alert came through but by the time I go to Sandsayre, only 5mins away it had dropped back

The moon was always going to be a problem, virtually a full moon causing a lot of light pollution and washing out the Aurora. However the camera can pick up the Aurora better than our eyes and green was showing low down just above the clouds

It was also the first time I had taken night photos with the new LED streetlights at Cunningsburgh. In the past two weeks an extra 29 had been replaced , so now over 50% are the brighter, bluer LEDs.

The small boats always make an interesting foreground and these seem to change on a regular basis.

You can tell how bright the moon was with the camera settings, ISO1600 F4 at 10 seconds, so less noise generated.

We shall soon know whether the monstrous Wind Turbines will be erected across the central mainland, the red lights on top of the turbines will block off the Aurora and will be seen as far down as Scalloway.

For the Aurora Hunters on Yell, it will be worse as two wind farms, one in the north and south will also cause excessive light pollution.

Having a dark site is so important and on a small island like Shetland it may prove even more difficult to find one. Even out to sea the Oil rig lights can be seen at many places.

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Snow & Stars in Shetland

The weather forecast for Shetland was for a part clear night, and it was still and not too cold(-2 wind chill). We don't get many chances to photograph the night sky with snow on the ground and it was an opportunity not to be missed

I headed out to Whiteness but the cloud was already coming in from the west, but at least a few stars showed even though it was a full moon

I have been trying to get out to this area for a few months, but each time the weather turned. Even though it was clouding up fast it was a good time for a recce. It was good to find locations in the dark and judge where the best places might be for a time when it was clear.

I like it when its  dark & still, birds are still calling- Snipe, Curlew, Greylag, Redshank and Long Tailed Ducks and even an otter called out just in front of the bod.

It was a good chance to find out where the light pollution come into the photos, the long line of streetlights must have been from Aith or Voe.

There are several old croft buildings which make good photo subjects along with the ` bod'. This Bod at Nesbister is the only original fishing type building in Shetland.

Its situated on a low rocky peninsular in a picturesque inlet.  The bod can get completely cut off during winter, interestingly the toilet is the `bucket and bury' type and there is no electricity. Also you will only find the odd chair and a small table, the good news is that it is only £10pp per night

Talking about light pollution, new LED lights are being installed at Cunningsburgh so it will interesting to see the overall effect. With all the talk about the possibility of mass wind turbines being erected across the central mainland and most of Yell I can only think the red lights on top of turbines will destroy the view north.

Its been quiet on the Aurora front with solar minimum taking effect but the forecast seems good for tomorrow. Shetland Aurora Hunter continues to attract new member so if you are interested please send me a request on facebook

# aurora, # Cunningsburgh, #light pollution Shetland., #Shetland, #Shetland Aurora Hunter, #whiteness, #Yell, #Nesbister bod,

Comet 46/P Wirtanen from Shetland

If I had accepted the numerous weather forecasts on Monday I wouldn't have gone out as most said a min of 98% cloud.

There was no hint of the Aurora when we ventured out at 6.15 pm (it did show briefly at 10.30 pm) but the sky was stunning and only 5% cloud , so why on earth did the forecasts say otherwise (well it is only a forecast). They did get the wind and temperature correct with only a force 2-3 and 1 degree.

I headed to a local dark site and it could have been anywhere in Shetland but this was over at Bigton to the west and only 10 mins away.

Quickly setting up I wanted to find the Comet 46/P Wirtanen which is the brightest today (12 12 18)at magnitude 3 . It actually is closer to earth on the 16 December when it is only 11.6 M Km away and it should look bigger then. 

The problem will be the wind in Shetland with force 7 winds expecting so photography will be very difficult.

Anyway the green comet did show up in the photos, despite a fuzz appearance.

Another target was the Plough, again easily picked up to the north while Mars was showing well to the south

Plough

The milky way was spectacular to the west and with no moon to provide any light pollution many stars became visible.

It makes you wonder just how many satellites are orbiting the earth when you can capture 3 or 4 in one 15 second frame. One however the Iridium satellites which produce  a nice flare will no longer be flashing in the sky after this month, with new ones being launched which don't show the middle bulge.

Besides all the targets I went to photograph, it's an excellent period for  Geminid meteors 14- 18 December which are usually very bright and around 120 per hour. Had it not been for Force 6-7 winds for the rest of this week, they would have been a great target with the Comet.

                   Coastguard helicopter and the Plough

All the photos on this page were taken with a Sony A7s and a 24mm Samyang lens, ISO6400 F2 between 10-15 seconds depending on direction

I have just finished delivering the Night Sky Photography Course in Lerwick and the revised course has gone down very well. I will be running this again next November so keep an eye out for details, places go quick.

 Milky  Way over St Ninian's Tombolo