Venus' Backside

About the best photo I've seen. Click to embiggen.

Venus transiting old Sol

Although this one ain't half bad.

Here She Comes

Apparently, Michigan is in the prime viewing window for tonight's unique solar event; Venus transiting the sun.  I'm not sure how one goes about viewing such a thing without all sort so of high priced fanglery.  But it sure seems like something to watch if one safely can.

Baiting The Hook With Stars

A few years ago, Sherwood treated us to a spectacular image of the Milky Way.

I would like to return the favor.  While this video is supposed to be a time lapse of four telescopes in operation, your eye will be continually drawn to the passing astral scene in the back ground.  This is the coolest thing you will see today.

Watching the telescopes is fun as well.  I demonstrated a fair amount of ignorance in my now defunct blog over the use of lasers to aid in viewing stars.  The time lapse shows one of the telescopes using that technology on several occasions.  Also, you will see the doors open and close, panels will be raised and lowered in the open doorways, and other ports/windows/doors will open and close as well.

Quite the interesting display!