Tristan got a sweet little telescope for Christmas this year.
The other night, the sky was finally clear enough to see the moon and the planets that had decided to align themselves. We were just figuring out the telescope so didn’t get any real close ups of the planets, but wow, the moon looked incredible. The detail is amazing, and that was without another viewfinder extension that would magnify it another 3Xs. I went online and looked into what it would take to get some astrological photographs. There really aren’t any special mounts or adapters for DSLR cameras, but it explained a way to do it using just a tripod.

Basically, you just lock the telescope in on your subject, set the camera up on a tripod, point it into the telescope’s viewfinder, and shoot away.
Not very high tech there, but whatever, I was even less high tech because I didn’t have a tripod with me. I just focused, held as still as possible, and shot. The photos I got aren’t half bad either. I can’t wait until the moon gets more full so I can try it again with the proper setup.
I think I love Tristan’s telescope more than he does haha.

Anyway, here’s the best photo I got out of it. It’s actually sized down quite a bit to fit on the page. Full-sized, it would have been about 24 inches across.

Enjoy.



KoP

This is my "Things I want to accomplish in 2009" list. I've been doing one for the past few years and I find that it helps me stay focused.

1. Train for triathlons.
2. Compete in at least four triathlons: 2- 70.3 Ironman and at least 2- sprint triathlons.
3. Write in my journal everyday.
4. Continue to keep my financial house in order.
5. Go to Disney World.
6. Go on two backpacking trips, one possibly in Europe.
7. Mend a friendship.
8. Try and figure out some spiritual quandaries I find myself in.
9. Start that photography business.
10. Support Amy while she is in school and then working a nine to fiver.
11. I will not play ANY cheesy holiday music. There's already enough cheesery in the world...

These are really just some things off the top of my head. I’m sure there are more worthy pursuits that will come up, but I can’t think of them right now.
Besides, this list is always open for edits.
It’s my only out…. Well?
It’s not a resolution list.


KoP

My Second Post

My second entry...

Looks like this is going to be my lifeboat. Most of my JS friends are here and I like the URL liking doohicky. And that's kind of the way I see this place, not really a life boat, but another ship out to sea. JS was a seaworthy vessel for years, but for whatever reason, it went down by the stern. Now Blogger will be my new ship. ahoy, matey.
::ahem::

So I guess I need to get on with my list of things I want to accomplish in 2009. I'll work on that for my next entry.

Yesterday, the family spent New Years day at my in-laws. I love the country and we spent a lot of our time there riding four-wheelers, exploring, and shooting photos. Too bad we didn't have our camera when we came across a pasture where a cow had JUST had a baby calf. It was awesome. We missed the actual birth but not by more than a half hour. We saw the calf take it's first wobbly steps. A new years baby it was.

On the way home, I got a ticket for 78 in a 65. I hope that doesn't set the pace for the rest of the year...

How is your New Year so far?


KoP

New Years

This is my New Years entry so I can start off on the right foot even though I stepped out on the left and didn't actualy post anything on 1/1/09. It's ok though. I forgive myself...



KoP

kewl. This is my first blog ever here on BlogSpot.