We have have a very busy few weeks here at Kidz Outdoors so apologies for the lack of blog posts recently!
Being busy is a good problem to have so no complaints there, but as a working mum there is always a constant battle balancing priorities. As is typical at this time of year the Kidz have managed to pick up (and share) a few bugs but finally, touch wood! I think we are just about clear now!
On the plus side we have still managed to spend lots of time with the Kidz Outdoors! so I thought I’d share something our now 13 Year Old Daughter has been doing outside with Daddy!
To be honest I thought they were a bit mad going outside in the sub zero temperature we had a few days ago but they were on a mission to enjoy a rare moment of clear sky! What I didn’t appreciate was what they were actually doing out there with a webcam!
To cut along story short, and to spare you some technical details! they were filming Jupiter through one of our telescopes. Aparently the image you see in this post was produced from a 20 second video clip that our daughter processed on her laptop. Bearing in mind Jupiter sits around 766 Million km away, and it takes the light from it around 43 minutes to reach our back garden I think their result is pretty impressive!
These results, and better!! can be achieved with some very modest equipment and just a little know how. Our know how came from a very imformative website called Active Astronomy. If you fancy giving it a go then I can recommend a visit to the following link;
http://www.activeastronomy.org/astrophotography
The Kidz loved it, and inbetween the various bugs they were all involved at some level. Our 5 year old felt very important being in charge of the Laptop and telling our daughter what he could see.
If only they could attach a longer cable to the webcam so I can stay in the warm with the laptop I think I could get hooked too!
We are very excited to be involved in a BBC Stargazing LIVE event on the 11th and 12th January 2013 with our friends at the Wycombe Astronomical Society.
The Event will be held at Woodrow High House just off the A404 between Amersham and High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. Postcode HP7 0QGIf coming from London, exit the M40 at junction 2 and follow signposts to Beaconsfield and Amersham. Get onto the A355 at Beaconsfield and follow until you come down a steep hill into Amersham. Turn left at roundabout onto the A404. Follow the A404 past the Crematorium and a long right hand bend. Just as you pass underneath electricity pylons look for a signpost to Woodrow. Turn right into Cherry Lane. Woodrow House is 250 metres down on your left.If coming from High Wycombe direction, leave the town centre and head for the Amersham Hill. Go through Hazlemere on the A404. Follow the A404 past the turning for Penn and Holmer Green. Look for the signposts to Woodrow on your left.Once inside the grounds, follow the length of the driveway. You should see the observatory on your left. When the road splits, follow to the right and find a parking space. Then come and join the party!
Stargazing LIVE returns for a third three-night series from 8-10 January 2013 to encourage everyone – from the complete beginner to the enthusiastic amateur – to make the most of the night sky.
