Well its Christmas and I couldn't help but add a little holiday cheer to my image from last night. Here's NGC1807 and NGC1817 a couple of open clusters near Taurus. The pair are sometimes referred to

I was actually able to see Comet Leonard tonight despite no expectation of actually doing it. The big news was, at twilight, Kent and I noticed that the comet just might be reachable very low down fro

Well, the weather was very nice here and I had a chance to get set up for some imaging after dinner before the moon came up. Lucky for me Orion was coming up over the trees to the east and I was able

There is quite a bit of solar activity. Perhaps it’s a Christmas present. If you’re looking in white light filtering, there are at least 15 groups of small sunspots. If you’re looking in H- alpha ligh

If possible in the next couple of days the sun is worth a look in white light. A fine row of sunspots has appeared toward the equator. This is where they move to as the solar cycle ramps up. Quite a f

I don't know but I think we will not get a chance to say good bye to comet Leonard in the evening. Weather does not look good and it gets lower every night. I think in three days it won't matter what

If you haven't paid your yearly club dues yet, please do so soon. They're due on Dec. 31st. http://backbayastro.org/store.php Thank You, Rich Roberts

I was reading the latest JAAVSO and one of the articles was from Filipp Romanov. I've been on a few zooms with Filipp who is a teenager in Russia and discoverer of 70 or so variables that now bear his

Attached is a survey the being conducted by the IAU. Sounds like the IAU is realizing they are behind the 8-ball and sees a lot of potential for more pro-am astro collaboration. So they're trying to g

Seeing is excellent tonight. I have spent about 40 minutes so far on the moon from the balcony observatory. We are at an interesting phase that shows off some very prominent dark spots on the mare and

I had written off Wednesday night for any stargazing because all the forecast indicated clouds. Surprisingly, it was clear all night albeit with a very bright moon. Just for fun instead of using the 5

Woke up at 0250, had to shut down all of the Christmas decorations that What’s Her Name has had me setup. Including the 22’ blue spruce in the front yard and the seven lighted inflatables. If you have

For the first time in history, a spacecraft has touched the Sun. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has now flown through the Sun’s upper atmosphere – the corona – and sampled particles and magnetic fields the

I am so glad I’m on the mend and back under the stars. Mark O and I observed double stars last night so here’s a list of what I saw, with a few other objects thrown in for good measure. I also tried p

Some good photos and predictions on where it will be in the coming days. https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/comet-leonard-might-become-2021s-brightest-2022/

Don't forget the BBAA luncheon today at Stripers Waterside at noon. I hope to see you there. George George Reynolds "Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia Back Bay Amateur Astrono

Tickets are available from any BBAA elected officer (including me) and will cost $10 each. The raffle will be held on April 7th, 2022 during the monthly club meeting which will take place at TCC Virgi

There isn't too much solar activity in H-alpha light this morning but there is a "horsehead" -shaped prominence on the eastern limb. Kent B

We're back in full swing at the Chesapeake Planetarium. Well, sort of. Instead of 120 reserved seats we can only allow 60. Each show sells out in less than an hour, especially the Christmas Show. I wa

I was up at 430 for no reason and noticed the sky was clear so decided to get out the 20x80 binoculars to see if I could do the comet for the last time. Took me a bit to get oriented in the early morn