Occultation (wiki): An occultation is an event that occurs when one object is hidden by another object that passes between it and the observer.
On June 30 we will have the opportunity to observe the Moon cover and uncover the planet Venus in the early morning sky. The phenomenon begins with the Moon slowly passing in front of Venus at 09:06 Local Time (06:06 UT) and reappearing at 10:28 LT (07:28 UT). Due to the phenomenon's close proximity with the Sun (approx. 13 degrees to the east) anyone who attempts to view or photograph it should be EXTREMELY CAREFUL not to accidentally point a telescope at the Sun while looking for the objects. The Sun's intense luminosity amplified through a telescope will cause severe injury to the careless individual.



Click the image below to view how Anthony Ayiomamitis captured a similar event on June 18, 2007 as well as his
collection of occultations!

Well, the skies finally cleared and I was able to test my new DBK21 camera! Got up at 02:00 UT and opened up the C9,25 which was cooling outside at 7c. The difference from the SPC900 is tremendous in terms of noise, sensitivity, versatility and speed! Here are the first results!

- First try on Saturn with the tail end of the storm visible. The seeing was horrific but I just had to try out the DBK & catch this phenomenal storm!

- Mercury added! Very low and with a lot of atmospheric dispersion! Stacked the best 500 out of 3000 frames.