Out of this World

Photography of the sun, moon, planets, and stars - Astronomy and Space related subjects by Bill Dickinson.

Eclipse of the Sun
A total solar eclipse is a remarkable celestial event that occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun. Here the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona, is clearly visible in great detail as a dazzling halo of light surrounding the Moon's silhouette. This ethereal glow illuminates the sky with an otherworldly beauty, revealing the Sun's delicate structures and creating a surreal atmosphere.
Islands in the Sky
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. A long exposure photograph of Smith Mountain Lake at night with the stars and milky-way reflected in the calm waters of the lake. Serene and peaceful, with the reflection of the starry sky adding to the stillness of the water. The smooth surface of the water reflecting the bright lights of the stars and the Milky Way above. This long exposure brings out the brighter and more defined the stars with the Milky Way appearing as a bright band of light stretching across the sky. In the distance, you also see the faint glow of light pollution along the horizon. This light appears as a hazy glow, casting a soft yellow light over the distant hills. The image evokes a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the natural world. It serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between man-made technology and the natural world, as the soft glow of light pollution reminds us of the impact we have on our surroundings.
Comet NEOWISE C/2020 F3
Under a dark sky in central Virginia on the night of July 18, 2020. Comet NEOWISE was easily visible to the unaided eye. While visually looking rather ghostly the camera brought out many of the comets details including the blue ion tail. Taken with a tripod mounted Nikon Z6, ƒ/2.8 200.0 mm lens, at ISO 10000. 15 stacked 5 sec exposures.