what's happened to the challenges?

[troypiggo]

What's the latest with our "Challenges". Let's fire it up again. I'm keen! :)

[Adrena1in]

Me too. At my location it's almost impossible for me to image the latest challenge subject, so I'm keen for the next one as I think it'll encourage me to get off my a**e and get outside again.

How about the lunar eclipse on the 31st as a little challenge to those who read this and are able to image it? It's a relatively easy target.

[Karl Johnston]

I'm down for that. I've never shot an eclipse before.

[SteveInNZ]

How about the lunar eclipse on the 31st as a little challenge to those who read this and are able to image it? It's a relatively easy target.

Don't get too excited about it. It only just scrapes in as a partial lunar eclipse. It's mostly in the penumbra which is hardly detectable as a bit dimmer. It just glances the umbra so you'll see a bit of a bite (nibble) at mid eclipse. You need a total lunar eclipse to get the orange/red moon. The US gets one of those in December 2010 but it dosn't look like the UK gets a good total until 2029.

Steve.

[Adrena1in]

I know it's only a little one, but it's something.

[Sorarse]

I know it's only a little one, but it's something.

Quoted for posterity!! ;)

[chris.bailey]

I'm up for a new challenge as I have been very lazy this year so far, largely weather and work related, the few good nights we have had always seem to correspond with a late one at work.

How about Horse and/or flame. Works at medium and long FL, is easy to find and should be well up in the sky now for most of us.

[Adrena1in]

How about Horse and/or flame.

Good idea as far as I'm concerned, because it's something I've been wanting to try for a long time. When I let the dog out last thing last night, Orion was at its highest in the south, looking very photogenic! ;)

[troypiggo]

So it's decided then?

[chris.bailey]

Good idea as far as I'm concerned, because it's something I've been wanting to try for a long time. When I let the dog out last thing last night, Orion was at its highest in the south, looking very photogenic! ;)

If it was about 11pm I was doing exactly the same, a bit chilly though to be outside with a scope

[Adrena1in]

Almost exactly 11pm, yes. :) Didn't seem so cold to me, but I'm sure that once I'd got everything set up outside I'd be freezing and cursing my lack of a permanent setup! I think I might put up my astronomy tent over Christmas and leave everything set up.

[chris.bailey]

Are we still up for this chaps? If so I am happy to post a Challenge #5 starter post. Could do with getting on with it as Orion is now sinking ever lower in UK skies. I did grab an hour on Horse and Flame last night but could do with adding some data yet. 6 week posting period say end of Feb deadline?

[Adrena1in]

I say go ahead and start the challenge, if you've got the time Chris. I'd like to give that target a try, though I doubt I'll get very far, since anything in the south is tricky for me.

[troypiggo]

I can't believe I haven't had a go at anything in Orion yet this season. Combination of bad weather, family commitments, work, and equipments tinkering. Finally got it all sorted last weekend, so might be able to get into it now.