Member Stephen Cohen spotted something quite rare in the sky at midday on the 11th July 2022 over Cumbria - A 22° Solar Halo with an added Circumscribed Halo around that. Unusual to see in the UK so well spotted Stephen!
Author: WebMistress
Spectacular Early Morning NLC – 6th July 2022
Well what a sight! Four planets, the ISS and Noctilucent Cloud that just kept giving.......
At 2.32am an alert went out to members via WhatsApp from member Sonia who had spotted the NLC developing in the North East.
Several members picked up the alert and so too got to witness & photograph a fantastic NLC spectacle which lasted a long time into dawn. The last photograph taken was at 4.05am! The planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter & Saturn (which was in the South) where photographed with the NLC too. Then starting at 3.08am there was a bright ISS pass overhead.
Spaceweather.com wrote ''This morning, sky watchers in Europe woke up to some of the brightest noctilucent clouds (NLCs) in years. The clouds were amazingly bright and remained very evident deep into dawn. The clouds didn't stop there. They spread south across Europe, backlighting the Eiffel Tower and completely filling skies in places where, normally, NLCs are confined to a thin band near the horizon.''
Below are a selection of stunning photos taken by members , Honor Wheeler, Jim Burchell, Diane Clarke, John Howarth and Sonia - all from North West Kent.
Four images of the NLC on the 6th July 2022 taken by Honor Wheeler.
Three images of the NLC on the 6th July 2022 taken by Jim Burchell.
NLC with Venus at 3.30am
NLC at 3.45am
Three images of the NLC on the 6th July 2022 taken by Diane Clarke.
Diane said 'Again following a message from fellow member Sonia, I set up my equipment and watched in fervent hope that the NLC would develop, as there is always the possibility that they will dissipate shortly after becoming visible.
Like the other members of the society who were watching I was not to be disappointed as the NLC went on to develop into a fantastic display that really started to develop around 02.40 until 04.00 when it started to fade into the east as dawn approached.
The 1st image is a panorama created from 6 frames as the entire NLC was spread out over a large portion of the N-NE sky, that a panoramic view was the only option to encompass the majestic splendour on display.
This panoramic view includes the asterism known as the “Plough” or “Saucepan” within the constellation of Ursa Major, as well as the double stars Capella in Auriga & Mirfak in Perseus, it should be noted that the "Plough" contains 3 double stars including Mizar (Alcor), a rising Venus is also visible lower right above the tree line.'
The NLC over Essex
NLC with Jupiter in the East
Four images of the NLC on the 6th July 2022 taken by John Howarth.
Images by taken by Sonia using an iPhone of the NLC, ISS and Planets on 6th July 2022.
NLC developing in the North East at 2.46am. You can also see the star Capella.
NLC at 2.56am. Getting brighter & higher.
NLC at 3.03am with Capella.
The ISS appearing in the West at 3.08am.
NLC continuing to develop and spread with Capella at 3.15am.
NLC at 3.24am
NLC at 3.26am
NLC and Mars in the East at 3.36am.
NLC with Mars & Jupiter in the East at 3.42am.
NLC at 3.45am nearly overhead.
NLC directly overhead at 3.48am.
NLC at 3.49am spreading overhead. Saturn can be seen bottom right in the image, which was in the South.
Faint NLC – 8th July 2022
Well they just keep coming - more NLC albeit very faint spotted at 3am on the 8th July 2022 by member Honor Wheeler who sent the alert out to members. As the NLC were faint to the naked eye members were willing them to get bigger and brighter but alas just a small patch is all that developed that morning.
Below are a selection of photos taken by members who responded to the alert. All photos taken from North West Kent.
NLC by Honor Wheeler - The faint NLC are middle left.
NLC by Jim Burchell taken with a Pentax K70 - The faint NLC are middle left.
NLC by Jim Burchell - The NLC are centre left in this image.
NLC by Diane Clarke
NLC at 3.30am. A white whispy patch of NLC can just be seen in the centre of the photo. They are 7 O'Clock from the star Capella which is in the photo. Photo taken using an iPhone by member Sonia.
The Sun by Simon Dawes – 10th July 2022
Member Simon Dawes captured some superb images of the Sun this morning. The Sun is quite active at the moment with several sunspots.
Details of how Simon took the images are on the photos.
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.
Moon by Neil Webster – 9th July 2022
A lovely composite image (8 frames) of the Moon taken last night 9th July 2022 by member Neil Webster: Waxing Gibbous, 75%, 9.88 days old.
Neil wrote 'Not the easiest shoot as it was low down and the heat created a lot of atmospheric turbulence.'
Check out Neil's Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/137388222@N05/
Noctilucent Cloud (NLC) – 5th July 2022
On the 5th July 2022 Noctilucent Cloud were spotted again. They lasted from 2.25am until 3.40am and were in the NE to NNE direction.
Diane Clarke said 'Fellow member Sonia sent an alert at 02.25 to say that NLC were visible, so having pre-packed my camera & lens, I was off to take some pictures. 87 frames later I finally decided to get a little more sleep as dawn was approaching.'
Below are 2 panoramic images of the NLC taken by Diane using a Canon EOS M50m2, Canon 100mm macro lens at f2.8 1/8 sec @ISO400.
NLC on 5th July 2022 from North Kent.
NLC, the star Capella & the Pleiades (M45). North Kent.
Member Sonia captured the NLC using her iPhone from North Kent. Below is one of her images.
NLC at 2.59am with stars Capella and Menkalinan.
Jubilee Moon – 2nd June 2022
Several members took the opportunity to photograph the waxing crescent Moon on the evening of 2nd June 2022 - The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Day and some stunning shots were acquired.
Neil Webster's Jubilee Moon
A composite of three images shot at about 9.20pm before it disappeared behind trees/buildings. It was still very light and the setting Sun was nearby.
Martin Crow's Jubilee Moon & Beacon
Taken from Burnham On Crouch, Essex.
John Archer's Jubilee Moon
Jim Burchell's Jubilee Moon with Earthshine
Diane Clarke's Jubilee Moon with Earthshine
Young Moon
A great capture of a very young Moon at 33.5 hours old on the 31st May 2022. Photo taken by member John Howarth from North Kent.
Moon – 10th June 2022
A superb composite image of 8 frames showing a Waxing Gibbous Moon (79%) taken on the 10th June 2022 by member Neil Webster. Acquired using a ZWO ASI 290MM + R/IR filter.
1st sightings of NLC by member’s Jim Burchell & Diane Clarke
Whilst up early to photograph Venus and the crescent Moon on the 26th June 2022 at Dartford top road, member Jim Burchell also saw some Noctilucent Cloud too around 3am! The 1st Noctilucent Cloud (NLC) sighting for CMHASD NLC season 2022.
Jim sent out an alert via Whatsapp to members which Diane Clarke picked up and so too managed to photograph the NLC that morning from North Kent.
NLC by Jim Burchell - 26th June 2022
NLC by Diane Clarke - 26th June 2022
