Kerry astronomy club had an observing session last night and as we were finishing setting up at about 8:30 we noticed a second, dimmer "Milkyway".

We were observing from near Banna beach and light pollution to the west in not a problem The Limiting magnitude was about 6.1 and the faint bright cone of light could be clearly seen stretching along the ecliptic up to an altitude of about 40 degrees. We had seen this last year, at about this time aswell. I did not have my 300D with me but think that it would be very difficult to capture this large diffuse "object" on any camera.

PS Comet Machholz showed two tails clearly in the eyepiece, one thin one about 3 degrees long and a shorter broader one.

Anyone else seen these??

Michael Scully. KAC

Now I wish I had gone to banna with you guys...Instead I went out into country around killarney and did not see zodiacal light, although had excellent conditions.

Michael,
Did it have any colour or was it white?

Dave,

Did it have any colour or was it white?

Just white, faint and diffuse. Most obvious when looking at the milkyway and it appeared in your averted vision, although still easily visible when looking directly at it.

Michael Scully.

WOW ... I've never managed to see Zodiacal light, sounds like you guys have truely excellent conditions down there!

Bart.

Guys, must have been some sight! I've only ever seen this once myself, faint, large and diffuse as you described it, pity no 300D

Keith..

Did anyone else see the Zodiacal Light last night? I was on the net around 7pm when i got a amber aurora alert so i decided i must check it out.Two of us went out but didnt get out to a dark site till after 9pm, bit late for the aurora, as nothing was visible, or maybe ther was nothing at all that night, but the sky was wonderful.

Very dark and clear especially when you are out looking over the waste lands of Conemara. Mag +6 sky.But there in the west was this beautiful cone of brightness coming out from where mercury had set several hours earlier. In comparison to the milky it was slightly brighter with a possible dark greeny hue to it. But a definite Zodical light, after many years waiting to see it , finally got the chance. Had camera but wish it was a 300D, not good enough for what was on view.

Ronan Newman

You got lucky there Michael! 5 members of TAS turned up for our own Observing Session, but it was completely clouded over save for some cracks in the cloud. We stayed till 9:45pm, but nothing...


...and the forecast gave a warning for ice on the roads last night!

Balls to it...

Seanie.

You got lucky there Michael! 5 members of TAS turned up for our own Observing Session, but it was completely clouded over save for some cracks in the cloud. We stayed till 9:45pm, but nothing...


...and the forecast gave a warning for ice on the roads last night!

Balls to it...

Seanie.

Seanie,

Did you check the sky later on? After I went home, I went out for a quick look just before I went to bed....... not a bloody cloud in the sky!
Of course, this was about 12:30 and a bit late to start observing. Still, whipped out the binos and did a quick tour of the usual suspects for about 10 mins. :roll:

Seanie,

Did you check the sky later on? After I went home, I went out for a quick look just before I went to bed....... not a bloody cloud in the sky!
Of course, this was about 12:30 and a bit late to start observing. Still, whipped out the binos and did a quick tour of the usual suspects for about 10 mins. :roll:

I know... :roll: David rang me as he was entering Kinnegad after the session, and said he could see the clouds parting pretty fast!

Typical really...

Kerry AC had an observing session on Sunday night. Again the Zodiacal light was visible. This time I had the 300D with me.

See www.kerryastronomyclub.com/gallery.htm in the Planets section for a picture. No enhancing other than resizing was done on the image and it reflects what was visible quite well.

Michael Scully,

Kerry Astronomy Club, Chairman.