Re: [APML] Planetary Conjunction from Stonehenge

[Philip Perkins <philip@astrocruise.com>]

Thanks so much for all the comments.  I had some good luck - it took some 
planning, but otherwise it was quite a bit simpler than an average 
astrophoto.  My daughter's help made a great difference - apart from her 
companionship she was flashgun operator in chief!

Chris:  Indeed Stonehenge has been roped off in the past.  I am not sure 
that it is quite as bad now, but to get access after hours I started 
talking to English Heritage a few weeks back.  Once they realised that I 
was a serious photographer and not some kind of lunatic they were helpful 
and cooperative.  Once you get their permission the security people let you 
in and you have complete freedom around and within the stone circle.  I was 
there on two nights and on both occasions my daughter and I were the only 
people there!  Being solitary within the massive sarsen circle at dusk is a 
truly fantastic experience that I shall never forget.  Sounds echo in an 
eerie way and large black birds flit silently between the stones.  I will 
send English Heritage a high quality 16x20" print as a thank-you. I am 
fortunate since Stonehenge is only 45 minutes from my front door by car - I 
should have been doing this sort of thing before.  I would have 
photographed Hale-Bopp from Stonehenge except that I was in southern France 
at the time.

Stephen:  I haven't tested the NPZ 800 on gas emission objects, but my 
strong suspicion is that it lacks Ha response (656nm) in the same way as 
other Fuji films such as NHG II 800.  This is a shame because it probably 
has excellent OIII response (also like most other Fuji films).  However on 
broadband objects (like galaxies, star clusters, reflection nebulae) it 
should do fine.  Of course, it is also fine for shots of things like 
comets, aurorae, and the planetary conjunction.  It may be worth testing on 
gas emission objects, though.. you never know.

Thanks again,
--Philip
Philip Perkins - philip@astrocruise.com
Wiltshire UK & Luberon France
Astrocruise - http://www.astrocruise.com


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