METEOR SHOWER!!

mattd85

mattd85

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Hi all,

Heads up, perseid meteor shower, August 11th/12th, upto 60 meteors at once at the peak.

If anybody knows of a dark location near to Manchester and would maybe like a meet up let me know and I will start a thread in the meeting place.

Matt
 
glad someone started this thread! am tempted to try and capture some of these.

is it just going to be a case of staking out in the garden for a few hours, taking 30sec long exposure shots on as wide an angle as possible..... and keeping fingers crossed?!
 
benners said:
glad someone started this thread! am tempted to try and capture some of these.

is it just going to be a case of staking out in the garden for a few hours, taking 30sec long exposure shots on as wide an angle as possible..... and keeping fingers crossed?!
Click to expand...

Lets hope we get some good shots, Added you on flickr
 
from what ive read its best on the 12/13 ?
For the Perseids, the radiant is in the constellation Perseus, which rises in the northeastern sky after midnight. Aim your camera toward this point, but not directly at it -- about 45 degrees to one side will give you the highest chance of catching the most meteors.

Ive also heard that there is a blue moon this month so could be a prob.
 
Thanks for posting this! The weather has started clearing here so might try from a large hill near here!

(although I have recently lost my tripod which'll be a pain...)
 
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hi guys newbie here any basic settings to use thanks
 
I saw this on another website...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48571722/ns/technology_and_science-space said:
It's fairly easy to photograph meteors with a digital camera. Put the camera in manual mode, and focus it at infinity. Set the zoom lens to its widest setting, and close the aperture down to f/5.6. Open the shutter for 5 to 10 minutes. This will be long enough that the stars will trail in circles while the meteors will be straight lines. Then, once again, be patient.
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I'm hoping that it will be clear enough to see and get some good pictures. Is it ok to put a Canon 550D on bulb mode and leave the shutter open for 5-10 minutes?

I'm also a bit worried about being so close to Heathrow, the light pollution here is horrible. I'm tempted to take a little drive to get a better view.
 
iwols said:
hi guys newbie here any basic settings to use thanks
Click to expand...

jason7579 said:
I saw this on another website...



I'm hoping that it will be clear enough to see and get some good pictures. Is it ok to put a Canon 550D on bulb mode and leave the shutter open for 5-10 minutes?

I'm also a bit worried about being so close to Heathrow, the light pollution here is horrible. I'm tempted to take a little drive to get a better view.
Click to expand...

I really wouldn't do this unless you live in the Isles of Scilly or outer Hebrides if you check out my guide to light trails that would be the approach I would take then only use the frames with meteors in :thumbs:

Matt
MWHCVT
 
jason7579 said:
I saw this on another website...

I'm hoping that it will be clear enough to see and get some good pictures. Is it ok to put a Canon 550D on bulb mode and leave the shutter open for 5-10 minutes?

I'm also a bit worried about being so close to Heathrow, the light pollution here is horrible. I'm tempted to take a little drive to get a better view.
Click to expand...

don't do bulb setting - do continuous shots at max 30 seconds each, then stack if you want star trails

hot pixel city otherwise if your shooting super long exposure
 
MWHCVT said:
I really wouldn't do this unless you live in the Isles of Scilly or outer Hebrides if you check out my guide to light trails that would be the approach I would take then only use the frames with meteors in :thumbs:

Matt
MWHCVT
Click to expand...

buckas said:
don't do bulb setting - do continuous shots at max 30 seconds each, then stack if you want star trails

hot pixel city otherwise if your shooting super long exposure
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, I'll note down the recommended settings and see what I can come up with.
 
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You can just experiment with the setting on the night, you defiantly will need as wide angle as you have.
I am going to shoot for pin sharp stars with the meteor being the only steak. but I might also try to get a nice star trail with meteor streaking the other way through it.
what will prob happen is ill get cold for 6 hours and not get a single shot due to cloud :LOL:
 
there are some nice parkland areas in south tyneside, might head out on sunday night, busy dressed as spiderman on saturday for a fancy dress party....might get even funnier looks than normal if I head to the park like that after a few drinks
 
DizMatt said:
there are some nice parkland areas in south tyneside, might head out on sunday night
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I'm checking the weather before making a decision, but was thinking about washington wildfowl area, as it should be nice and dark and there may be a chance the observatory is open
 
Anyone know if you can see it from down south in Surrey?? :)
 
Madmoggy said:
I'm checking the weather before making a decision, but was thinking about washington wildfowl area, as it should be nice and dark and there may be a chance the observatory is open
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nice 1
I'm thinking about the glassland /landfill that is adjacent to campbell park road near hebburn/jarrow/monkton
 
I will be camp out on Weymouth for the Sailing for both night. This will be easy! Set the camera up before go to sleep, use PW Multumax to do time lasp on auto, chain a bicycle lock to one foot.

As far as I can see, the only problem is the moon.
 
buckas said:
It's in space, the whole world can see it
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Lol!!!! I know some things you can only see in certain parts of the country! Thanks though ;)
 
I watched it last year in an area with filthy light pollution and I still saw LOADS. I'll try the camera this year.... IF we get a clear night!
 
buckas said:
It's in space, the whole world can see it
Click to expand...

mind you the radiant dosent get above the horizon in the southern hemisphere , ( so you dont get to see so many )
 
Is it that time of year AGAIN.

Will we get one good photo this year, I maybe wrong but in the last 5 or 6 years I can't remember a good shot yet :lol:
 
acetone said:
Is it that time of year AGAIN.

Will we get one good photo this year, I maybe wrong but in the last 5 or 6 years I can't remember a good shot yet :lol:
Click to expand...

That sounds like a challenge to me!
 
My only hit last year.. Although I must admit I was a bit ****ed on rum when I suddenly decided to try and get a photo :D

i-DntWdVr-XL.jpg
 
I just tried. 8 x 30secs and nothing captured despite seeing some naked eye ones when not actually shooting. It's my first go at this and it aint easy! Time for a massive G & T then get back out there for a bit.

EDIT: later that evening, still nothing captured :( BUT! Fun is at hand as we now having a mossie in the house having left the patio doors open. Camera now off but The Executioner (best fly zapper available) is in business, we're mossie hunting....
 
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Any one about attempting this in Somerset area? I've got some lovely camping chairs!
 
I did a bit of a test shoot last night. I took 15 shots on ISO 800 aperture of 6.3 and 30 second exposure continuous. I used startrax to compile the images and this is the result.

I am quite happy with the result for such a short period of time. Hoping to get out on Monday night to get some better results.

photostream
 
oops i've just thought, am i going to be ok doing this without a remote shutter release? might have to put it the shutter on delayed timer, just to avoid camera shake... love trying new things, make the most of the camera's features!

glad i've downloaded google sky and compass apps!

are the meteors starting to appear already, may go for a trial run tonight with Sat/Sun nights being the best time apparently?
 
was hoping to go to the peak district tomorrow night but it's currently looking like it may be cloudy although the forecast is not as bad as it was so still hope I guess for it to improve.

managed to see 3 last night and again the night before and captured 1 faint one but the air is just too mucky at the moment which in turn makes it rather orange where I am which is rubbish :(

did miss a good bright one last night, was so close as well as I caught its smoke trail :(
 
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