ISS-trail and Saturn in my backyard

ISS-trail and Saturn (Most up dot in the picture)

Hello everyone!
Like I posted yesterday on this blog, the International Space Station was in the neighborhood tonight and I manage to take a picture of the thing speeding at 27,000 km/h. This ISS-trail is a 30 second shot from my backyard and it includes the planet Saturn and the Star Spica (α Vir). It moved from right to left (on the image) and disappeared in the shadow of the Earth. This just took a minute or so, but it was a fabulous moment.

For all you who missed it tonight, it will be back tomorrow night and for a couple of nights more. So just head outside and look at the southern skies. Let your imagination go wild and take a snapshot of this man made bright object. Enjoy!
See two photos of the ISS-trail in Astrophotography page HERE --->

Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

NEW ASTROPHOTOS STRAIGHT FROM KUSTAVI !!!!

Globular cluster Messier 03

Here are few new astrophotos you can look at from the Astrophotography page -->

Hope you like them. You can always leave a comment, we like to be in touch with you!




Astrophoto 1: Messier 03 (globular cluster in the constellation Canes Venatici)
Astrophoto 2: Double star ZETA LYRAE
Astrophoto 3: Messier 57 (the ring nebula)
Astrophotography page -->

Do not forget we have open observation nights in Kustavi every first Saturday of the month. If you live in the south of Finland, come and visit us.

Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

"At last a UFO, a little bit of action!!!"

ISS credit: astronoo.com

Hi everybody!
So, around 10 O'clock this evening I was preparing the telescope and checking that everything is ok for tonight's observation when suddenly I looked through the window and saw a light in the sky speeding eastward. First I though it was a plane but the object had no blinking lights. All exited, I though to myself "At last a UFO, a little bit of action!!!". But then again there was something strange. Then I realized it was the International Space Station (ISS).



It was the second time I saw it and it was the second time it surprised me and did'nt have the time to film it. But now I am ready and looking forward to film it when it passes next time.
Next time is tomorrow and the following days in the region of Turku (Southern Finland). So if you live around Turku, Finland and want to see this very bright man made "light" in the sky, check out this listing of dates and hours of sightings HERE----->  
And do not worry, when it will pass, you will see it, no doubt!
Good luck and tell your friends, It is great to see it with other people.