Supernova in M82 imaged

Well the skies finally cleared for me to attempt to photograph the new supernova in the Cigar Galaxy, M82. My equipment was acting a bit finicky - I had some trouble getting the new power cords and dew prevention heaters set-up and I couldn't get the balance on the scope correct to prevent image drifting. So with clouds starting to form just north and west I had to settle for short exposures. Here is the result. The greenish cast and the horizontal bands are artifacts of the noise in the image since I really stretched the light curves quite a bit to get the galaxy to come through with only 10 second subs.

M82 with Supernova 2014J marked
120 seconds (12x10sec subs), ISO3200, EdgeHD-11 Prime Focus 

It appears that the nova is about Mag 10.5 or 10.6 based on the examination of stars in the local vicinity. Not an accurate comparison since the camera sensor will make some stars appear brighter based on their color, but as a rough estimate, I'm probably in the ball park. 

Like the Energizer Bunny ... Opportunity keeps on going!

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Opportunity rover's exploration of Mars. With a planned mission of only 3 months, NASA, and the public, really got their money's worth. Full story here.

Oh How 'Sweet' These New Batteries Are!

Check out the gizmag report on the potential for a new type of battery. Sounds too good to be true.

Spacecraft Phones Home ... ready for the final chapter of its mission

Comet-chasing probe wakes up, calls home

The European Space Agency's comet-chasing Rosetta spacecraft woke up, warmed up and called home Monday before setting off on the final leg of its journey. Launched way back in 2004, it has been on a 10 year mission to ultimately rendezvous with the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, follow it around the sun, and even land a small craft on the comet itself - really cool stuff. For the past 31 months it was in hibernation, saving energy, but was told to "call home" when it's ready to complete it's mission. That call came today! Complete story can be found on Space.com and CNN.