Re-entry of Huge satellite to burn up in meteor-like fashion.

UARS Satellite  (Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite)

Watch out, RE-ENTRY!

On September 7, 2011, NASA announced the impending uncontrolled re-entry of UARS and noted that there is a small risk to the public.

As of September 21, 2011, the orbit of UARS was 195 km (121 mi) by 210 km (130 mi). Re-entry is projected for 23 September 2011. Some debris may survive to reach the surface.

NASA has now refined its prediction for when this bus-sized satellite will fall to Earth. The 20-year-old defunct satellite now has a predicted re-entry Time of about 20:36 UTC on September 23, 2011, plus or minus 20 hours, according the the UARS Reentry Twitter feed.
So have a camera/video camera at hand and hope it passes by your skies!
Source: wikipedia

Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

The OUTER SPACE series: Top 75 Spaceships in sci fi TV series and movies

Credit: denofgeek.com

In the OUTER SPACE series this week:

SPACESHIPS!
This week we have a list of spaceships from several sci fi tv series and movies. A list of Top 75 spaceships presented by denofgeek.com.

Surely there are spaceships missing in this list, but we can still enjoy the ones presented.
Here is the link to the spaceships -->

Leave a comment of your favorite(s) spaceship(s) or include a missing spaceship to the list.

Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

More than easy Time Lapse animation with Gimp!

Click on image to view the animation

Hello everybody!

A friend of mine came to look at the stars with me on Saturday, I told him about a Time Lapse project I wanted to do with the passage of comet Garradd in the night sky and he immediately showed me how to do it with GIMP. 
This morning I went through my old astrophotos and stumbled across pictures of the partial solar eclipse that I had taken (Jan 4 2011). I decided I would do a Time Lapse of the eclipse.
So here it is an animation of the eclipse made on Gimp. The simplicity of making this animation was stunning, I was genuinely surprised at how simple it was.

Here is a link to the a tutorial on Timelapse processing with Gimp. HERE

About Astronomy Club Toutatis

THE OUTER SPACE series: Ancient astronauts

in the OUTER SPACE series this week:

Ancient astronaut theories!
Surfing on the internet can get exausting. Reading real hard reading about astronomy and related topics about space can be hard.
Sometimes it's good to let go and enjoy something a litle bit more "light".
So here is this week enjoyement!



Wiki info: Ancient astronaut

Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

Lightning storm in Kustavi, Finland

Click on photo

Hello everybody!
These days are very cloudy here in Kustavi (southern Finland) where I live. There is not much to see in the sky astronomy wise. It is very dark and quiet.

Rain is pouring from the sky and yesterday a thunderstorm started to roar and the lightnings started to appear.

Laying on my sofa because of the flu, I was looking through my window and I was wondering if I could capture a picture of a lightning...

So here you can see on the above picture the result of an attempt to catch one. I was very surprised and my girlfriend excited to the point that she wanted to restart her hobby in photography. Here is a link to interesting facts about lightnings you can read on this slow rainy day. HERE --->

Wiki-info as well: Thunderstorm

Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

THE OUTER SPACE series: Mobile saunas in space, Mir's legacy

Our Sauna on Earth

  in the OUTER SPACE series this week:

Saunas! True way of life the Finns will bring with them in space. It has been a way of life on earth, it will be a way of life in space.
The Space Station Mir has one story of its own...

Read more -->

The OUTER SPACE series: Strange objects in space

(credit: Pakalert Press)

In the OUTER SPACE series this week

we propose light reading about space.
Enjoy your reading and comment please.
Good reading!
LINK HERE --->

 Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

The Moon 19.07.2011 Waning Gibbous

Click on photo to enlarge

Hello everyone!

The phases of the Moon changes every 3-4 days. Here we have Waning Gibbous at its best. The Moon is going towards the new moon and will achieve it on July 30th.
In the mean time, I hope to be able to capture the last quarter and the waning crescent to complete my mosaic of the phases of the Moon.

Enjoy the picture and leave a comment.
Here is a link of a short video of the phases of the Moon
on YT. HERE --->

Ps. I dedicate this picture to my cousin Simon who has his birthday on the 19.07. the day I took the picture.
Happy birthday Simon! 



Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

CHALLENGE Phases of the Moon! Leave a comment with your photo

Click on photo to enlarge

Hello!
Can you identify the phases of the Moon?
In the past few months a have taken these Moon pictures to make a mosaic of the phases of the Moon.

The Full Moon is represented by the central total eclipse of the Moon on June 15, 2011. You can see on the picture the partial eclipse of the Moon as it was exiting the shadow of the Earth (the end of the eclipse).

So here is my CHALLENGE to anyone who is wanting to take a picture of the Moon and send it back to us.

Leave a comment with your photo down the page, we will showcase it in our posts and articles.

Link to Phases of the Moon Monthly . HERE->
Have a look at more Moon pictures HERE ->
Good luck to everyone. Leave a comment with your photos.


About Astronomy Club Toutatis Kustavi, Finland

STAR CLUB in Kustavi, every first Saturday of the month

Hello everyone!

Yesterday we had our Star club here in Kustavi. The telescope was outside and the theme of the day was the SUN.

Many curious people came and peeked through the lens to see the sun in an other way.
Some saw the sun straight away, some were not sure what they were looking at.

It was nice to see the reaction of the people and the comments and small conversation they lead on. All in all it was a nice day, the people left home with a new perspective of our Sun.

I think my mission is complete and i am looking forward for next time and observe other sky objects like our Sun.

(Remember when looking at the sun you have to protect your eyes and use filters with your telescopes, binoculars or other viewing instruments.)

Here is a link to see the Sun with its sunspots in real-time --->HERE The space weather center.

Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

Summer solstice, the longest day, the shortest night. 21.06.2011

 Hello everyone!

Summer solstice is within us every year, we all know it and we all enjoy it, especially Juhannus. Here is facts about Finnish culture and the summer solstice.

Before 1316, the summer solstice was called Ukon juhla, after the Finnish god Ukko. In Karelian tradition, many bonfires were burned side by side, the biggest of which was called Ukko-kokko (the "bonfire of Ukko"). 

After the celebrations were Christianized, the holiday is known as juhannus after John the Baptist (Finnish: Johannes Kastaja). Since 1955, the holiday is always on a Saturday (between June 20 and June 26). Earlier it was always on June 24. A lot of the celebration of midsummer takes place on midsummer eve, when many workplaces are closed and shops have to close their doors at noon.

In the Finnish midsummer celebration, bonfires (Finnish kokko) are very common and are burnt at lakesides and by the sea. Often two young birch trees (koivu) are placed on either side of the front door to welcome visitors. Swedish-speaking Finns often celebrate by erecting a midsummer or maypole (Swedish midsommarstång, majstång). 

An important feature of the midsummer in Finland is the white night and the midnight sun. Because of Finland's location spanning around the Arctic circle the nights near the midsummer day are short or non-existent. This gives a great contrast to the darkness of the winter time. The weather varies between years, the highest temperature is on average about 20°C (Southern Finland).

Many Finns leave the cities for Midsummer and spend time in the countryside. Nowadays many spent a few days there, and some Finns (who don't travel abroad) take their whole vacation in cottage. Rituals include bonfires, cookout, sauna and spending time together. Heavy drinking is also associated with the Finnish midsummer. 

It's also common to start summer holidays on Midsummer day. For many families the Midsummer is the time when they move to the countryside to their summer cottage by the sea or lake. Midsummerday is also the Day of the Finnish Flag. The flag is hoisted at 6 pm on Midsummer eve and flown all night till 9 pm the following evening. Finnish Canadians in the New Finland district, Saskatchewan, Canada celebrate Juhannus.

Happy Juhannus to everyone!

Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

credit: Wikipedia

2000 VIEWS AND COUNTING...

Links through space has reached 2000 views.

Astronomy is growing in our community and the people are interested. Thank you for your support and be assured we will keep on taking pictures of the night sky.

For the future Kustavi Astronomy Club here in Finland remains open for new projects and activities concerning Astronomy that is beneficial
for all. Every first Saturday of the month we continue with our open door observations, space related presentations and DVD shows.

So, welcome all of you who wants to learn astronomy and other that are just curious.

Tapani Isomäki, Risto Honkasalmi and Uolevi Leppäkoski

KTY toutatis Astronomy Club

Kustavi, Finland

Total Eclipse of the Moon 15/16.06.2011 (Part 3)

Hi everyone!
Yesterday was the Total eclipse of the Moon and  we where very exited to experience this amazing occurrence.

But as we stood there the only thing we where starring at was the clouds...

By surprise at 00:36 just before the partial eclipse ended, we saw the most amazing Full Moon with a piece of it missing.

That is where every body shouted and clapped. Me I was preparing the cameras and the telescopes so that every one present at our Eclipse of the Moon party could see it through the telescopes.
Photos and observation lasted for 30 minutes and at the end, despite the clouds at the beginning, the people where very happy.
So all in all it was a great experience and I want to thank all the participants and say: "See you at the next Lunar eclipse!"

And here is the MOON CAKE that we made in honnor of the Total eclipse of the Moon 15-16.06.2011.
IT WAS DELICIOUS!!!!

GO AND SEE OUR NEW ASTROPHOTOS OF THE ECLIPSE ---> HERE

Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

Total Eclipse of the Moon 15/16.06.2011 (Part 2)

Hi you astronomy lovers!
On the photo above you can see how the Eclipse will unfold itself in the landscape of Kustavi. (click on the photo to enlarge)
I went to the place where we are going to see the Eclipse tomorrow and simulated how it would look like.
At the same time it was a good practice to see where to put my camera and telescope for the best possible pictures.

So if you are near Kustavi come and join us for the Total Eclipse of the Moon of june 15-16 2011.  (just phone me at 045 121 0560)
 We expect to have a BBQ and even a cake in a form of the Moon with a orange-brownish color to fit the occasion :)

ps: If you cannot attend our Lunar Eclipse party, you can always go at this site ---> Astronomy live and look at it on the internet via other peoples telescopes.

Enjoy and clear skies!!!
 

Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

Total eclipse of the Moon on the 15/16.06.2011

Hello Stargazers!
This month we have the opportunity to watch the total eclipse of the Moon.
It is the first of two total lunar eclipses in 2011, the second occurring on December 10.


It is a relatively rare central eclipse where the moon passes in front of the center of the Earth’s shadow.
The last lunar eclipse closer to the center of the earth’s shadow was on July 16, 2000.
The next central total lunar eclipse will be on July 27, 2018.

The phenomenon starts at 20.23 Finnish time and goes until 2.02 am, but the total eclipse occures at 23.13.
The Moon is in the southern sky and is very low in the south of Finland. Not more then 6 degrees in the sky.
So if you want to see it, you have to go up and be sure there is no trees or building blocking the horizon.

Here is a link --->HERE where you can visualize the eclipse (U.T. time). Enjoy and clear skies.

Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

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.

Our Sun and sunspots

Here are the first astrophotos of our Sun.
I forgot my remote control for my camera, so it is a bit blurry...

But wonderful it is to take pictures of our nearest star.

VERY IMPORTANT: Remember to always use filters on your telescope when watching the Sun. Protect your eyes from the Sun at all time.







Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland

New astrophoto, check it out!!!

New photo of a halo of the Moon taken in Kustavi, Finland

Photo by: Essi Vuontisjärvi

It was a real cold night and the air was still.
We saw also light pillars coming from light posts and other light emission, but we dont have photos... sorry!

Tapani Isomäki
Kustavi, Finland