Observations of the Sun, the Moon, and Planets 2019

Observation Overview | Special Events | References

It was not until 2018 that I began to observe the moon a little more in detail and to document my "more important" observations. On this page, I collect, somewhat unsystematically, my observations of the moon, the sun, and the planets from 2019, which might be of interest to other beginners and are therefore described here.

Note: Older observations are listed on the "Astronomy" overview page. The same applies to deep sky and comet observations.

Observation Overview

Date 2019	Objects Observed	Location	Devices Used	Eyepieces and Cameras Used	Remarks	Further Remarks
Jan 14	Moon	MH	Sony RX10 M3, Panasonic TZ202	Sony RX10 M3, Panasonic TZ202	Half moon	Tested the Sony RX10 M3 at the moon and compared it with the Panasonic TZ202 Photos
Jan 21	Moon	MH	Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto mount, cable release	32 mm; Sony RX100 M4	Total eclipse of the moon, photographed with the Sony RX100 M4 attached to the 32 mm Digiscope eyepiece	Total eclipse of the moon (blood moon), in the morning between 6 and 7 a.m. when it was bitterly cold - photographed from our balcony... Photos
Feb 13-19	Moon	MH	Sony RX10 M3, mostly on a tripod, mostly with cable release	Sony RX10 M3	I took photos daily from 1 day after half moon until full moon.	I observed daily how the waxing moon changed. Photos
Feb 19	Moon	MH	Sony RX10 M3	Sony RX10 M3	I took free-hand photos of the rising full moon during a walk on the Heiligenstein hill. Later, I took photos of the full moon at home (as part of the series above)	The largest full moon of the year 2019 Photos
May 12-17	Moon	MH/Erkerode	PS 72/432 on AZ Pronto mount; Skymax-127 ditto (May 12 only)	10 mm; 32 mm (SM-127); Sony RX100 M4	No observations on May 16; observed in Erkerode on May 17	May 12: Observed: Vallis Alpes and Rupes Recta; of course, also found on the photos May 13: ditto and Rupes Altai May 14: Golden Handle (Montes Jura) May 15: Diverse structures with text hints for my brother Dieter May 17: Moon photos 1 day before full moon, only one photo really sharp... Photos
Jun 7	Jupiter and 4 moons, M 3	Sumène (F)	PS 72/432 on AZ Pronto mount	forgot eyepiece data...	Together with madame Girard and her son Dominique, we observed Jupiter and 4 moons	Afterwards, I accidentally found a globular star cluster close to Arcturus; probably, it was M 3 (I confirmed this more or less with books from Stoyan).
Jul 8-10	Moon	MH	Sony RX10 M4; Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto mount	Sony RX10 M4; Sony RX100 M4	Hand-held photos of the moon with Sony RX10 M4 for testing multiframe methods (hand-held at dusk, MFNR, HDR, normal).	Jul 8: initially clouds; later, the moon was free of clouds Jul 9: also took a comparison photo with SM-127 and the Sony RX100 M4 held to the 32 mm eyepiece (not fixed) Jul 10: took photos only when the sky was relatively bright, not when it was dark Photos and information
Jul 13-14	Moon	MH	Sony RX10 M4	Sony RX10 M4	Photos of the moon with Sony RX10 M4 (1) for another comparison of MFNR with normal (at first also taken hand-held, then with tripod and cable release), (2) for another comparison of HDR with normal.	13.7.: Photos of the moon taken with RX10 M4 for another comparison of MFNR with normal 14.7.: ditto for another comparison of HDR with normal. Photos and information: MFNR, HDR
Jul 15	Jupiter, Saturn, Moon	MH	Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto mount	various eyepieces, moon with 24 and 32 mm	Observed Jupiter and Saturn with SM-127: 4 moons in an interesting configuration; saw the ring of Saturn well, but not the Cassini division.	Observed the nearly full moon briefly (with a polar filter)
Jul 16	Moon (partial eclipse)	MH	Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto mount; Sony RX10 M4 on tripod	Sony RX10 M4; Sony RX100 M4 attached to 32 mm eyepiece	Observed the partial eclipse of the moon. Took photos with (1) Skymax-127, 32 mm eyepiece, and Sony RX100 M4 screwed to the eyepiece, cable release, (2) Sony RX10 M4 on tripod.	We were on the Heiligenstein hill from about 9:30 p.m. on, observed and took photos from 10:00 p.m. on. At home after midnight, observed and took photos, until we were no longer able to recognize a shade on the moon (about 1 a.m.), in bed at 2 p.m.. Photos (SM127/RX100 M4), Photos (RX10 M4)
July 29	Jupiter, Saturn	MH	PS 72/432 on AZ Pronto mount	various eyepieces (a.o. 4 mm)	Jupiter with 4 moons: one was far to the left, another one close to J. on the right, two more at larger distances (mirrored!); later, the close moon was hidden! Saturn with ring (max. 108 x = 4 mm eyepiece)	M 51 searched for, but not found...
Aug 23	Jupiter, Saturn	MH	Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto mount	various eyepieces (a.o. 7 mm)	Jupiter with 4 moons: two on the left,two on the right. Saturn with ring (max. 214 x = 7 mm eyepiece)	Jupiter: stripes well to see.
Aug 24	Jupiter, Saturn	MH	PS 72/432 on AZ Pronto mount	various eyepieces (35, 16, 10 mm)	Jupiter with 4 moons: one on the left, three to the right, two one above the other. Saturn with ring (max. 43 x = 10 mm eyepiece)	Jupiter: ; stripes not seen as well as the day before.
Aug 25	Jupiter, Saturn	MH	Explorer 150PDS on Star Discovery mount	various eyepieces (prob. 35, 16, 10, 7, 4 mm)	Jupiter with 4 moons: all on the left, two one above the other. Saturn with ring nice to see (100 x and more)	Jupiter: stripes not seen as well as two days before.
Aug 26	Jupiter, Saturn	MH	Explorer 150PDS on Star Discovery mount with StarSense, Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto mount	various eyepieces (prob. 35, 16, 10, 7, 4 mm)	Jupiter with 3 moons. Saturn with ring nice to see	Jupiter: stripes not seen as well as three days before.
Sep 3	Jupiter, Saturn	MH	PS 72/432 on AZ Pronto mount	10 mm, 4 mm eyepieces, Amici prism	Jupiter with 4 moons (3 to the left, on to the right, Saturn with PS 72/432, 10 mm and shorter, Amici prism Moon (about 4th day) with PS 72/432, 10 mm, Amici prism	Moon observed with Amici prism, that it, oriented correctly
Sep 4	Moon, Jupiter, Saturn	MH	PS 72/432 on AZ Pronto mount, Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto mount	diverse eyepieces, prob. up to 4 mm, Amici prism	Jupiter with 4 moons and Saturn with PS 72/432, 10 mm eyepiece and shorter (4 and 7 mm at Saturn), Amici prism, as well as both with Skymax-127 up to 4 mm (Saturn) and Amici prism Moon with PS 72/432, 10 mm eyepiece, Amici prism and also with Skymax-127 with Amici-prism; later also a zenith mirror	In the refractor, everything looked much more brilliant, but also outshined, especially the planets. The view in the Maksutov looked "dull" against this. Its advantage was, however, that everything was not that bright; therefore, the Jupiter stripes were much better to see. I was even able to observe Jupiter with a 4 mm eyepiece (375 x) with a quite usable view; in the refractor the view was much more fuzzy.
Sep 6	Moon, Jupiter, Saturn	MH	StarTravel 120/600 on AZ Pronto mount, PS 72/432 on photo tripod	diverse eyepieces	Half moon Jupiter, Saturn: seen well in both refractors Saturn observed with the ST120 at magnifications of up to 150 x (4 mm eyepiece)	Half moon: Clearly visible color fringes at the edges of the moon in both refractors, but much stronger in the ST120; clearly visible air turbulence, much stronger in the ST120. With the ST120, Jupiter was perhaps a bit "colorful"...
Sep 9	Moon, Jupiter, Saturn	MH	StarTravel 120/600 on AZ Pronto mount	diverse eyepieces, prob. up to 4 mm; Sony RX100 M4	Moon: Golden Handle observed and also photographed. Jupiter: observed and also photographed (150 x); Saturn: only observed...	Moon: Due to color fringing, the Golden Handle appeared yellow (or "golden"), even on my photos Photos of Moon and Jupiter
Sep 10	Moon, Jupiter, Saturn	MH	StarTravel 120/600 on AZ Pronto mount	diverse eyepieces, prob. up to 4 mm; 4 mm also with 2 x focal extender	Moon: Golden Handle already further away from the Terminator. Jupiter: Up to 150 x, 4 moons, three of them to the right (in the telescope) Saturn: Up to 300 x (4 mm eyepiece + 2 x focal extender)	Moon: Crater Gassendi and Mare Humorum good to see Jupiter: Astrid saw the stripes particularly well at 150 x and higher Saturn: Up to 300 x was OK, but the Cassini division remained hidden...
Oct 31	Moon, Jupiter, Ganymed	Erkerode	Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto mount	32 mm eyepiece, Sony RX10 M4	Crescent of the moon and Jupiter close together (about 1°)	Mond-Jupiter-Konjunktion; Jupiter-Mond Ganymed im Teleskop zu sehen, auf den Fotos nur bei kräftiger Aufhellung. Fotos von Mond und Jupiter (Konjunktion)
Nov 9	Moon	Erkerode		Sony RX10 M4	Moon close to full
Nov 11	Mercury transit of the sun	Mühlhausen	Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto mount	32 mm eyepiece	Meryury transit of the sun not visible becaise the sky was overcast	Mercury transit 2019
Nov 30, Dec 2, Dec 4	Moon	Erkerode	C8 on Star Discovery mount (manually)	Various eyepieces (eyepiece comparison)	Eyepiece comparions using the crescent and half moon (Dec 4 = half moon)	Observed two small craters visually on Dec 4: (1) Ammonius in crater Ptolemaeus - 9 x 8 km, (2) Albategnius C in crater Albategnius - 6 x 6 km

All observations done in Mühlhausen/Kraichgau (MH), except for where noted otherwise.

Special Events

January 21, 2019: Total Eclipse of the Moon (Blood Moon)

On January 21, 2019, another total eclipse of the moon could be observed. We observed and photographed the lunar eclipse from our balcony at home using the Sky-Watcher Skymax-127 and a Sony RX100 M4 attached to the 32 mm eyepiece.

I created a collage from selected photos:

Total Eclipse of the Moon, January 21, 2019

More information on page Total Eclipse of the Moon 2019 (Blood Moon)

February 13-19, 2019 (and January 14, 2019): From Half Moon to Full Moon (Sony RX10 M3)

When comparing the days, you should primarily track and compare the structures at the terminator (shadow boundary).


Jan 14, 2019: 600 mm, ISO 100, 1/500 sec, f/4		Feb 13, 2019: 600 mm, ISO 100, 1/500 sec, f/4

Feb 14, 2019: 600 mm, ISO 100, 1/250 sec, f/4		Feb 15, 2019: 600 mm, ISO 100, 1/250 sec, f/4, cable release

Feb 16, 2019: 600 mm, ISO 100, 1/500 sec, f/4, cable release		Feb 17, 2019: 600 mm, ISO 100, 1/250 sec, f/4, cable release

Feb 18, 2019: 600 mm, ISO 100, 1/500 sec, f/4, tripod, cable release		Feb 19, 2019: 600 mm, ISO 100, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, tripod, cable release

More information on page Photos of the Moon with RX10 M3 - Mid-February 2019

February 19, 2019: The Largest Full Moon of the Year 2019 (Sony RX10 M3)

The following collage was made from photos of the rising full moon that were taken free-hand with a focal length of 600 mm (equivalent).

The following photos were taken on a tripod with manual exposure and with a focal length of 600 mm (equivalent).


600 mm, ISO 100, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, tripod, cable release		600 mm, ISO 100, 1/1000 sec, f/4, tripod, cable release

More information on page Photos of the Full Moon with RX10 M3 - February 19, 2019

May 12-17, 2019 (except for May 16, 2019): From Half Moon to Nearly Full Moon


May 12, 2019: PS 72/432, ISO 125, 1/125 sec, f/2.8, 50 mm; 3200 pixels		May 12, 2019: Skymax-127, ISO 125, 1/100 sec, f/2.8, 35 mm; 3000 pixels

May 13, 2019: PS 72/432, ISO 125, 1/100 sec, f/2.8, 35 mm; 2500 pixels		May 14, 2019: PS 72/432, ISO 125, 1/250 sec, f/2.8, 50 mm; 3200 pixels

May 15, 2019: PS 72/432, ISO 125, 1/100 sec, f/2.8, 50 mm; 3200 pixels		May 17, 2019: PS 72/432, ISO 125, 1/100 sec, f/2.8, 50 mm; 3200 pixels

July 8-14, 2019: Tests on Multi-frame Methods with the Sony RX10 M4

See page Test Photos of the Moon with RX10 M4 - July 2019 for information on Multi-frame methods and first results.
See also page Test Photos of the Moon with RX10 M4 Part 2 - July 2019, which offers more information on Multi Frame Noise Reduction (MFNR).
See also page Test Photos of the Moon with RX10 M4 Part 3 - July 2019, which offers more information on HDR.

All in all and regrettably, the multi-frame methods did not show any advantages in my tests when compared with normal photos...

July 16, 2019: Partial Eclipse of the Moon

On July 16, 2019, a partial eclipse of the moon could be observed in Germany. We observed and photographed the lunar eclipse on the Heiligenstein hill (from 10 p.m. until midnight) and from our terrace at home (from 0:30 until 1:30 a.m.) using the Sky-Watcher Skymax-127 and a Sony RX100 M4 attached to the 32 mm eyepiece and with a cable release, as well as a Sony RX10 M4 on a tripod.

I created collages from selected photos (the large "jump" results from our returning home from the Heiligenstein hill):

Partial Eclipse of the Moon, July 16-17, 2019 (Sky-Watcher SM-127 and Sony RX100 M4)

Partial Eclipse of the Moon, July 16, 2019, simplified version (Sony RX10 M4)

For more information see pages: Partial Eclipse 2019 (SM-127), Partial Eclipse 2019 (RX10 M4)

September 9, 2019: "Golden" Handle and Jupiter Photos with StarTravel 120/600

Figures: Two samples (sharpened) taken on September 9, 2019; on the photo to the right, the "gold" wandered more to the bottom of the moon... (color fringes)

Figures: Jupiter with ST120 and 10 mm eyepiece, Sony RX100 M4 held to the eyepiece; the two photos on the left were taken with 50 mm focal length (equivalent), the three right photos with 70 mm focal length (equivalent).

For more information see page: Sky-Watcher StarTravel 120/600 OTA Information (4.7" Refractor, Borrowed)

October 31, 2019: Photos of the Conjunction of Moon and Jupiter (Sony RX10 M4)


Figure: Photo of moon and Jupiter taken with Sony RX10 M4 (18:11 o'clock)	Figure: Brightened up image of moon and Jupiter with Sony RX10 M4 (19:12 o'clock), on which you can guess Ganymed when you open the larger version

Figure: Photo of moon and Jupiter by my star friend taken with StarTravel 120/600 and Nikon D40, flipped and brightened up (about 18 o'clock)	Figure: In original size (1:1), Ganymed is definitely better to see!

For more information see page: Moon and Jupiter - End of October 2019 (Conjunction)

November 9, 2019: Moon Photos (Sony RX10 M4 and Nikon D40)

Only two of the many moon photos that I took with the Sony RX10 M4 (freehand) on that day in Erkerode were really sharp. For comparison, I present a photo taken by my star friend with a Nikon D40 (APS-C) in the Stuttgart area on the same day. If you look at his and my photos at a higher magnification, you can see that the RX10 M4 with its 1" sensor "smears" compared to a camera with an APS-C sensor.


Figure: Photo of moon with Sony RX10 M4	Figure: Another photo of moon with Sony RX10 M4

Figure: Photo of moon and Jupiter by my star friend taken with StarTravel 120/600 and Nikon D40, flipped and brightened up (about 18 o'clock)	Figure: First photo of moon with Sony RX10 M4 for comparison

Figure: Ditto, made brighter	Figure: Ditto, sharpened

In the following, I present two 400% sections to make the differences between the photos more evident:

Figure: The photo taken with the Sony RX10 M4-Foto shows strong JPEG artifacts when overmagnified (400%) and sharpened (these are already visible at 100%) and actually few details. Vallis Alpes to the right (here more below...) of crater Plato is invisible.

Figure: The photo taken with the Nikon D40-Foto exhibits fewer JPEG artifacts when overmagnified (400%) and sharpened and considerably more details. Vallis Alpes to the right of crater Plato is clearly visible as a "dash."

December 4, 2019: Visual Search for Small Moon Craters with the C8

I was able to see the following small moon craters with the Celestron C8: (1) Ammonius in crater Ptolemaeus - 9 x 8 km, (2) Albategnius C in crater Albategnius - 6 x 6 km. Here is a demonstration of this that I created with the Virtual Moon application:

References

Books (in German)

Lambert Spix (2013, 3. Auflage). moonscout - Mondmeere, Krater und Gebirge einfach finden und beobachten. Oculum-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938469-58-3
Lambert Spix & Frank Gasparini (2011, 1. Auflage). Der Moonhopper. Oculum-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938469-54-5
Ronald Stoyan, Hans-Georg Purucker (2013, 1. Auflage). Reiseatlas Mond. Oculum-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938469-64-4
Robin Scagell (2016). 101 Himmelsobjekte, die man gesehen haben muss, Kosmos Verlag (out of print)
www.kosmos.de/buecher/ratgeber/astronomie/einsteiger/6527/101-himmelsobjekte-die-man-gesehen-haben-muss