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Great Glob.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Tue Nov 7 04:55:01 2006 UTC
One of the finest individual objects in the southern sky would
undoubtedly be 47 Tucanae (NGC 104). This globular cluster lays in the
constellation of Tucana, the toucan. Containing approximately 100,000
stars, this object looks like a fuzzy star with unaided vision, but
binoculars or small telescopes provide breath-taking views. Photo
details: Canon 350D, 3 minute exposure with an 80mm refractor at f-5,
ISO 400. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at
gramy@globe.net.nz
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Heavenly Flower.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Fri Apr 6 10:55:01 2007 UTC
In the constellation of Monoceros sits the open cluster NGC 2442. This
group of 16 stars is relatively young by celestial standards. Evidence
for this can be seen in the surrounding cloud of ionised hydrogen. The
cloud glows pink under the radiation from the hot stars at the centre.
This cloud, NGC 2237, is better known as the Rosette Nebula. Photo
details: Canon 350D, 5 minute exposure with a Sigma 70-200mm lens, ISO
400 @ f-2.8. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at
gramy@globe.net.nz
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Beautiful Neighbour.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Wed Mar 28 11:45:01 2007 UTC
As seen from New Zealand, the great galaxy in Andromeda (M31) rises only
a few degrees above the northern horizon. However, that does not mean it
isn't worth the effort to observe it. It is a beautiful spiral that can
be resolved with a modest telescope. The dark dust-lanes can easily bee
seen along with two companion galaxies (M110 & M32)in this image. Photo
details: Canon 350D, 4 x 90 second exposures with a 200mm lens, ISO 400
@ f-2.8. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at
gramy@globe.net.nz
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Funnel Cloud - Eerie Spectacle.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Wed Dec 6 07:59:01 2006 UTC
Spring is often a time of unsettled weather. This was definitely the
case on the evening of October 3rd, 2006 in Hastings, New Zealand. As I
drove home from work I saw two funnel clouds and a tornado over
farmland, but had no camera to catch the action. Once home, and with
camera in hand, I went hunting for more, and bagged a beauty! This
funnel came from a wall cloud over town and lasted just long enough for
this shot. All that action in just 45 minutes! Photo details: Canon
350D, 1/80th second exposure with an EF-S 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 @ f-6.3.
Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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Nocturnal Bird.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Mon Nov 20 09:15:01 2006 UTC
On the edge of the Sagittarius star-clouds lies a region of dark nebula,
commonly known as the 'Pipe Nebula.' However, here in New Zealand this
is often referred to as the 'Kiwi,' the nocturnal flightless bird that
symbolises our nation. In this image, the kiwi faces left with the pipe
nebula forming the beak and head. The bulky body is supported by two
sturdy legs and is covered with fluffy "feathers." M8 and M20 sit just
above the curve of the kiwi's back. Who ever said kiwis can't fly? Photo
details: Canon 350D, 5 minute exposure with an EF 50mm lens, ISO 400 @
f-3.5. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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ISS and STS-115
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Mon Sep 18 09:58:01 2006 UTC
The Shuttle Atlantis glows brightly in the sunlight after undocking from
the International Space Station (ISS) during STS-115 in September, 2006.
Photo details: Canon 350D, 15 second exposure with an EF 50mm lens, ISO
400 @ f-5.6. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at
gramy@globe.net.nz
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Dawn Bow
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Sat Aug 12 23:28:01 2006 UTC
On August 12, 2006 I was driving south to Wellington with friends, the
sun slowly rising behind us. When it did, it illuminated this rainbow
with the beautiful colours of dawn. Note how the sky inside the bow is
much redder than that outside it. Photo details: Canon 350D, 1/60th
second exposure with an EF-S 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 @ f-5.6. Image
copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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Over The Moon.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Thu Jun 14 21:43:01 2007 UTC
This image incorporates two of my favourite hobbies: Gazing at the moon
and soaring high in a beautiful glider. Photo details: Canon 350D,
1/400th second exposure with an EF 80-200mm lens, ISO 400 @ f-8. Image
copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz or visit my
website: http://www.skyhigh-photography.com
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Blue-Sky Bow.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Mon Jun 12 07:43:01 2006 UTC
A strong winter blast raced through New Zealand on June 12th. When it
had passed, this vivid double bow was left hanging in the clear, blue
sky. Photo details: Canon 350D, 1/500th second exposure with an EF-S
18-35mm lens, ISO 200 @ f-14. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact
me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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Frosty Sky.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Mon Jun 12 09:39:01 2006 UTC
June 8th was cold and frosty night that produced this beautiful 22
degree Lunar halo surrounding Jupiter at right, and Spica at left. A
faint inner halo can also be seen. Photo details: Canon 350D, 7 second
exposure with an EF-S 18-35mm lens, ISO 400 @ f-3.5. Image copyright to
Graham Palmer. Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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Planetary Trio.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Sun Jun 4 22:17:01 2006 UTC
The evening of June 6th, 2005 was lovely not only for its sun-set. The
three jewels of Saturn (upper left), Venus (centre), and Mercury
(bottom) added to the spectacle as they neared their closest approach.
Photo details: Minolta camera, 3 second exposure with a 135mm lens @
f-3.5, Fuji Provia 400F slide film. Image copyright to Graham Palmer.
Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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Dome Dog.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Fri May 26 10:01:01 2006 UTC
With time and money, it is hoped the Matariki telescope will be the
largest in New Zealand's North Island, but in the mean-time, the bare
structure of the dome nicely frames a bright and well coloured sundog.
Photo details: Canon 350D, 1/800th second exposure with an 18-35mm lens,
ISO 200 @ f-20. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at
gramy@globe.net.nz
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Scorpion Rising.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Wed Apr 11 10:49:01 2007 UTC
The southern winter sets in as the scorpion rises early in the eastern
evening sky. Jupiter is the bright jewel below Antares, the heart of the
scorpion. Photo details: Canon 350D, 2 minute exposure with a 20mm lens,
ISO 800 @ f-3.5. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at
gramy@globe.net.nz
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Digital Sunset.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Wed Mar 28 09:27:01 2007 UTC
This stunning sunset was one of my first targets with my new toy - a
digital SLR. Photo details: Canon 350D, 1/200th second exposure with an
18-35mm lens, ISO 400 @ f-10. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact
me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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Carina - Inside the Key-hole.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Thu Nov 2 07:45:01 2006 UTC
The glowing pink clouds of the Carina Nebula reside more than six
thousand light years away in the constellation Carina, the Keel. Home
and birth-place of the massive binary stars of Eta Carina, this part of
heaven once laid claim to the title of the second brightest star in our
sky. This happened during the nineteenth century, when the pair
underwent a spectacular brightening. It has long since fallen to below
naked eye brightness, however in the near future it may regain that
title. It is now classed as a cataclysmic variable, and the past decade
has seen mysterious changes in its brightness and colour. The inner part
of this nebula is known as the Key-Hole; very appropriate when we think
of the secrets locked inside. Mysteries aside, we do know that the star
is doomed, and one day, possibly soon, it will flare bright enough to
cast strong shadows for a long period. Photo details: Canon 350D, 1
minute exposure with a Sigma 70-200mm lens, ISO 800 @ f-2.8. Image
copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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Amazing Antares.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Sun Jun 3 01:44:01 2007 UTC
On the border between Scorpio and Ophiuchus, is a wonderfully colourful
and exotic part of our galaxy; the Rho Ophiuchus star clouds. This
region is rich in heavy elements produced inside massive stars similar
to the red giant, Antares. The colours come from a mixture of reflection
and emission nebula. Usually Emission nebulae are red, due to hydrogen,
but here there are such high levels of heavy elements that the clouds
glow like a celestial rainbow. Antares is further adding to the mix by
producing massive amounts of carbon. The very bright 'star' at bottom
left is the Planet Jupiter. Photo details: Canon 350D, 5 minute exposure
with a Canon EF 85mm lens, ISO 800 @ f-2.8. Image copyright to Graham
Palmer. Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz or visit my website:
http://www.skyhigh-photography.com
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Moody Sky.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Sat Apr 29 01:44:01 2006 UTC
This threatening sky provided a moody back-drop for New Zealand's
largest garden ornament - Stonehenge Aotearoa. Photo details: Minolta
camera, 1/250th second exposure with a 20mm lens @ f-3.8, Kodak Elite
Chrome 200 slide film. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at
gramy@globe.net.nz
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Stonehenge Sunset.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Sat Apr 29 01:21:01 2006 UTC
One year on from the grand opening, a reunion party was held at the
Stonehenge Aotearoa astronomy park outside Carterton, New Zealand. The
evening was cloudy, but presented pleasant vistas all the same. Photo
details: Minolta camera, 1/125th second exposure with a 28mm lens @
f-4.5, Fuji Provia 400F slide film. Image copyright to Graham Palmer.
Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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November 8, 2004 (0806 UTC)
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Thu Apr 27 10:17:01 2006 UTC
As evening twilight slowly began to fade above Ocean Beach, Hawke's Bay,
this blue ray reached up to a height of 80 degrees! This would turn out
to the first of three successive nights of auroras. Photo details:
Minolta camera, 15 second exposure with a 50mm lens @ f-1.7, Kodak
Elitechrome 200 slide film. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me
at gramy@globe.net.nz
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November 8, 2004 (0808 UTC)
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Thu Apr 27 10:02:01 2006 UTC
These bright rays persisted right through evening twilight with most of
the activity in the south-west quarter of the sky. Photo details:
Minolta camera, 35 second exposure with a 28mm lens @ f-2.8, Kodak
Elitechrome 200 slide film. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me
at gramy@globe.net.nz
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November 8, 2004 (0815 UTC)
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Thu Apr 27 07:37:01 2006 UTC
This was a lovely aurora, with soft pastel colours and blue topped rays.
Photo details: Minolta camera, 10 second exposure with a 50mm lens @
f-1.7, Kodak Elitechrome 200 slide film. Image copyright to Graham
Palmer. Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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November 09, 2004 (1042 UTC)
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Thu Apr 27 07:22:01 2006 UTC
The second night of auroras started with promise, but the show didn't
last long. A subtle auroral glow adds some pink to this sky-scape. Photo
details: Minolta camera, 19 minute exposure with a 28mm lens @ f-2.8,
Kodak Elitechrome 200 slide film. Image copyright to Graham Palmer.
Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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November 10, 2004 (0850 UTC)
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Thu Apr 27 07:06:01 2006 UTC
The third night of auroras started off cloudy. However, there was just
enough of a break in the weather to capture this long lived ray. Photo
details: Minolta camera, 90 second exposure with a 28mm lens @ f-2.8,
Kodak Elitechrome 200 slide film. Image copyright to Graham Palmer.
Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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Compass Of The Southern Sky.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Wed Jul 4 08:26:01 2007 UTC
Constructed by volunteer labor over a period of 18 months, Stonehenge
Aotearoa is a fully working star compass. Positioned outside Carterton,
New Zealand, it is designed for the purpose of science education, in
particular, the mechanics of the solar system. The main Ring is 30
meters in diameter and consists of 24 pillars topped with lintels. Its
features include six heel-stones for marking solstice and equinox dates,
a five meter tall obelisk and an analemma. At the central point lays a
brass plaque, with an inscription reading: "These standing stones, these
stars, configure the compass of Earth and the heavens." And that they do
with amazing accuracy... For more information visit
http://www.skyhigh-photography.com Photo details: Minolta camera. Fuji
Provia 400F slide film. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at
gramy@globe.net.nz
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Double Feature.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Sat Apr 15 09:52:01 2006 UTC
January 30, 2005 was a typical summers day In the Wairarapa. Typical
except for this beautiful 22 degree halo and circum horozontal arc that
appeared around mid-day. I would have missed the sight if it were not
for Ian Cooper phoning me from Palmerston North, where he had seen it.
Thanks Ian, I owe you one. Photo details: Minolta camera, 1/500th second
exposure with a 20mm lens @ f-16, polarizing filter. Kodak Elitechrome
200 slide film. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at
gramy@globe.net.nz
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iridescent cloud.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Sat Apr 15 09:22:01 2006 UTC
Here in Hawke's Bay, the prevailing westerly winds often produce long,
high altitude rotor clouds. These clouds are commonly made of tiny ice
crystals which can, when conditions are right, produce lovely
iridescence. November 20, 2004 was no different, except that these were
some of the brightest I have seen, so out came the camera... Photo
details: Minolta camera, 1/500th second exposure with a 200mm lens @
f-10, polarising filter. Kodak Elitechrome 200 slide film. Image
copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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Southern Jewels.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Fri Dec 28 14:15:01 2007 UTC
This image shows some of the southern sky's most recognizable features.
At left are the two-pointers, the brighter of which (Alpha Centauri) is
the closest star to our solar system. At centre is the Southern Cross
(Crux) and a dark nebula, known as the Coal Sack. At right is the Carina
nebula, containing the massive binary stars of Eta Carina. All this is
set within the southern milky way. Photo details: Canon 350D, 60 second
exposure with a 35mm lens, ISO 800 @ f-2.8. Image copyright to Graham
Palmer. For more images, visit my website:
http://www.skyhigh-photography.com
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C/2002 T7 LINEAR
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Fri Apr 14 06:15:01 2006 UTC
It turned out that my only decent chance to photograph T7 was on April
30th, wile it was still in the dawn sky... The comet rose about 1 1/2
hours before sunrise, and was almost exactly on the ecliptic.
Unfortunately for me, that morning produced the brightest zodiacal light
that I have ever seen. This washed out a lot of the faint features, but
I still managed to capture several degrees of tail, and a faint
anti-tail in this frame. Photo details: Minolta camera, 18 minute
exposure with a 135mm lens @ f-3.5, Kodak Elitechrome 200 slide film.
Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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Seaport Sunrise.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Thu Apr 13 08:10:01 2006 UTC
I rose early to try and catch the 2003 Leonids, but the only thing worth
looking at was this stunning sunrise seen from Westshore across the port
of Napier. Photo details: Minolta camera, 1 second exposure with a 200mm
zoom lens and a 2 times converter @ f-6, Kodak Elitechr ome 200 slide
film. Image copyright to Graham Palmer. Contact gramy@globe.net.nz
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Golden Path.
Submitted by:
Graham Palmer at Thu Apr 13 07:54:01 2006 UTC
The sun lights the way across the port of Napier. Photo details: Minolta
camera, 1 second exposure with a 175mm zoom lens and a 2 times converter
@ f-6, Kodak Elitechrome 200 slide film. Image copyright to Graham
Palmer. Contact me at gramy@globe.net.nz
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