Lowell Observatory

I'm continuing to live vicariously through my friend Brian's adventures out west.  This latest round of pictures comes from the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona.  This observatory has some impressive achievements that include: discovery of Pluto, moon mapping for the Apollo program and observing the rings of Uranus, to name a few.  The telescope in these pictures is the Clark Refractor which just completed a 20-month restoration.  This telescope was commissioned in 1895 as a state-of-the-art 24 inch refracting telescope.  It's been in regular use ever since and was first used for scientific research and now is open for public viewing.  It is a beast!

Sunset, Moon, Venus and a Telescope

I've always wanted to travel out west with a telescope to take in the crystal clear skies.  Right now, I'm living vicariously through my good friend, Brian Waller, who is on a western states road trip and is currently in Arizona.  He captured this beautiful image just after sunset last night as the Moon and Venus began to take over the night sky.  He reported a great night of stargazing with several shooting stars and countless satellites with some passing through the view of his telescope.  I may have to hop on a plane and get out there!

Photo Details

Astrophotography by Brian Waller
April 18, 2018

Scott's Reservoir Campground
Sitgreaves National Forest
Pinetop, AZ
Impage caputured with iPhone 6S