More pictures looking to the heavens

Back in 2017, I wrote a post on beginner astrophotography as I was just getting into the hobby. It was mostly a collection of my very first Milky Way pictures that I took at the time. Since then I have been taking more pictures of the Milky Way, and some occasional pictures of the moon, planets and the aurora. So here's an update of my latest selected pictures in the same format as last time, with details in the caption.

This picture was taken at Cape Schanck, one of my favorite places to capture the stars. It's a single exposure with light painting, so the staircase is out of focus. 

One of may favorite pictures taken under perfect conditions. Moon was out on the opposite side of the Milky Way to illuminate the landscape perfectly. Location: Flinders

This is the first picture in which I was able to capture the reflection of the stars in water. Location: Lake Eildon. 

The daytime moon captured through my telescope. I attached the camera into the eyepiece of the telescope with a lens adapter. 

Two photos of Jupiter and Saturn also taken from my telescope. I recorded a short video and processed it using PIPP and AutoStakkert to create these images. Haven't done planetary imaging since, but I do hope to try it out again sometime soon. 

A photo captured from my balcony one evening showing earthshine on the moon. 

The rising moon captured using a telephoto lens without a tripod. 

My first attempt at capturing star trails. This is a single exposure taken over approximately 12 minutes. Photo taken at Lake Eildon. 

This is my first attempt to capture the Aurora. The pink glow is the Aurora Australis seen from the Southern Coast of Flinders. 

This picture shows the recent lunar eclipse- the blood moon, as seen from Flinders shortly after sunset on 8 November 2022. 

More turquoise water

Back in 2014 I was fascinated by the bright turquoise water that emerged from a base excavation at the Aruwakkalu limestone mine in Sri Lanka. I was doing my undergraduate internship at the time and was so intrigued that I researched into the phenomenon and wrote a blog post explaining how the turquoise colour emerges due to selective scattering of light caused by calcium carbonate crystals. A picture that I took was also featured in the Mining magazine. Four years later I came across the striking turquoise water again.

I am currently a visiting research student at the University of British Columbia, Canada and recently visited some glacial lakes in British Columbia. I got to see once again, the bright turquoise colour that intrigued me 4 years ago. The reason behind the turquoise colour is the same selective scattering of light. This is caused however, not by calcium carbonate crystals but by glacial flour/rock flour, which is the name given to very fine rock particles generated by glacial erosion, and remain suspended in the water. The lakes I visited were the three Jofrre lakes and Garibaldi lake, where I even went for a relaxing swim. Some pictures that I took at the lakes are below.

Upper Joffre Lake

Middle Joffre Lake

Garibaldi Lake

Garibaldi Lake

Astrophotography on a budget

Astrophotography is thought to be an expensive hobby to pursue involving lots of high-tech and expensive equipment. I was under the same impression and was concerned of this steep entry barrier. Then I came across this blog-Lonely Speck by Ian Norman, who in my opinion, is a very creative photographer and does an excellent job of explaining the basics of photographing the stars. This blog got me started and I started reading online forums and learning about the hobby.

I gathered that new sensors in most cameras-even entry level ones are perfectly capable of capturing the milky way. Any DSLR or compact camera with manual controls can be used to gather enough light over a long exposure to shoot the night sky. So I bought my first DSLR, a Canon 1300D and a basic tripod for about 500AUD. This is an entry level camera and is one of the cheapest DSLRs in the market. Some blog posts and YouTube videos later I set off in search of dark skies.  

After a couple of attempts I am very happy with my results and have even got better results than some photos that I drew inspiration from. I'm still learning and hoping to improve on my methods and results. The usual process I follow to shoot the stars is, waiting for a day with clear skies, checking the moon phase, the position of the milky way and selecting a dark location without much light pollution.  The pictures below are some of my best shots taken up to now, with a little description on the story behind the shot. 

My first attempt at shooting the Milky Way. The stars are out of focus and not a very good image, but was a valuable learning experience. Location:Paradise beach Gippsland

These three shots were taken at Silvan Dam Olinda. The first using the 18mm kit lens and the other two using a 50mm prime lens at f2.0 borrowed from a friend.  

My first shot of the galactic core taken at the Cape Schanck beach. It was a misty day with plenty of moonlight to illuminate the landscape. But the milky way was very faint. 

Clearly visible galactic core taken at Olinda

Another shot of the galactic core taken at Wilsons Prom under moonlight.

This shot was also taken at Wilsons Prom after the moon set. This was the best naked eye view of the Milky Way I've experienced up to now. 

This shot taken at Olinda is one of my favorites because of the unintentional effect of light painting. A car passed by during exposure and it illuminated the tree and a power line nearby, giving the photo a more balanced look.  

Jet Skiing at Unawatuna

Unawatuna is known for its pristine beaches and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. For thrill seekers going on holiday to Unawatuna, The Unawatuna Water Sports Club offers a wide range of water sports. On my recent visit to Unawatuna I tried Jet skiing. Having ridden a jet ski on a river before, this was a totally different experience. The waves and undulations of the sea makes it much more exciting.

Located in front of the Cormoran Beach Club, the friendly staff at Unawatuna Water Sports Club will guide first timers. A safety jacket is provided and an instructor will accompany you if needed. The Jet Skis at Unawatuna Water Sports Club are easy to operate as you only have to accelerate and steer. It only takes a while for you to master the controls and start skiing like a pro.

In addition to Jet Skiing, Unawatuna Water Sports Club also offers, Surfing, Sailing, Banana Boat Rides, Doughnut Rides and Kayaking.

Man of Steel Flies to Sri Lanka

The highly anticipated Superman reboot will hopefully be screened at Savoy 3D from the 26th of June 2013. The movie is listed under the upcoming movies section with the above release date, and a countdown is on display on the home page of the EAP movies website. being only 14 days after the world release date fans won't have to wait too long. However there have been occasions in the past where movies that were shown on countdown never actually made it to the theater. Hopefully it does not happen this time.

Building upon the success of the Dark Knight trilogy, this reboot differs from the previous Superman movies while having some similarities with the Batman movies. It has a more realistic take on the superhero and from its trailer it is evident that the "S" on his chest does not even mean "Super"! :) Fans of the DC universe who want to see a Justice League movie-a superhero ensemble movie like the Avengers or even just a Superman Batman team up movie will be delighted to see that Man of Steel is set in the same universe and timeline as Batman. According to the director of the movie, There is a scene in the movie where the villain destroys a satellite with the Wayne enterprises logo on it. Wayne enterprises is owned by Bruce Wayne a.k.a Batman and therefore a ensemble movie cannot be written off. So keep your eyes open :)

image from : http://manofsteel.warnerbros.com

3D experience at MC Platinum Ruined!

There have been several complaints about the active shutter glasses issued at MC Platinum 3D. The most common issues are, one lens being completely blacked out, or simply that the glasses don't produce the expected "3D effect". These problems arise because the glasses are of the active shutter type, and are required to be powered by batteries. I mentioned about this problem in a previous post of mine, but I didn't think it will occur so soon until I saw it for myself. If you find out that your pair of glasses is not working once the movie starts, you will probably miss the first half of the movie completely. But luckily, there is a way to find out whether your pair is in working condition before the movie starts.

The Cause

Like I mentioned before, this problem arises because the glasses are powered by batteries and are synchronized via an Infra Red signal emitter. So if the batteries go down, there can be synchronization errors leading to flickering or a distorted 3D effect. If the batteries run down completely, the glasses will stop working altogether and either one or both the lenses will go completely black, or the glass will look clear and normal but will not produce the 3D effect. This is the worst scenario, because if you don't identify it before the movie starts, then you are in trouble. So here is how to check it beforehand.

How to Check

Soon as you get the glass, go into the theater (It won't work outside the theater) and while holding the glasses about a foot away from your face, look through both lenses at a well lit area. (the theater will be well lit before the movie starts) Looking at the white screen also would do. If you see a slight flickering in both lenses you are good to go. If you don't see any flickering, if only one lens flickers, or else if one lens appears to be a shade darker than the other lens, then the glasses are faulty and you will have to get it changed.

Movie fans should not go through this hassle in a properly maintained theater. It is the responsibility of the theater personnel to replace the batteries regularly and to check the glasses from time to time. From the experience I had today, it is evident that about half of the glasses are faulty. and watching a movie with faulty glasses like that can lead to severe headaches and nausea. Unfortunately, the personnel at MC platinum just don't care about this issue. When complaining about this issue all they did was nod in approval as if to say, "yes we know about the problem, but we just don't care!"

If this happened in another country, people would sue the theater. But this is Sri Lanka and sometimes we suffer in silence. I'm just hoping that this problem will be sorted out soon. If not, and if its a movie that you really can't miss(like Iron Man 3), make sure that you check your glasses before the movie starts. Hope this guide was useful :)


UPDATE (19/2/2014)

These problems due to the battery powered active glasses will not arise again because MC Platinum has switched from active shutter to a polarized filter projection system. The passive glasses used in this method will not cause any of the above problems. 

the new lightweight polarized glasses

Turtles at Chaaya Tranz

The coral reef in front of Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa, formerly known as Hotel Coral Gardens is one of the best preserved coral reefs in Sri Lanka and is a perfect spot for snorkeling. Lots of colourful fish and turtles can be seen close to the shore. Despite fears in the early 2000s that the reef was shrinking, it is in good condition today. Especially when comparing it with the reef in Beruwala which has deteriorated considerably, Hikkaduwa still has a variety of healthy corals and reef fish in abundance.

On my recent visit to Chaaya Tranz, I got to see some of the familiar reef fish and turtles that I saw when snorkeling there a couple of years ago. The types and numbers of fish have not decreased. There were hundreds of colourful fish including a lion fish. Unfortunately I did not have an underwater camera to take pictures of the fish. But the turtles came wandering towards the shore in search of food, and I was able to take plenty of pictures of them.

Hopefully this place will remain as it is in the future. It is important that relevant authorities take required measures to prevent actions such as illegal sand mining which could harm this reef, in order to preserve it for future generations.

MIB 3 at MC superior 3D?

The third installment of the Men In Black franchise is already being screened in two theaters in Sri Lanka. The movie kicked off at MC Platinum and Liberty Lite on the 8th of June. The big question is, Will the movie be shown in 3D at the MC superior? If it will, then its worth the wait because with all the CGI aliens, cool gadgets and weapons, MIB3 in 3D is going to be awesome. Also, according to cinemablend.com, it is worth to watch it in 3D as it gives the movie a "3D score" of 32. That is even higher than The Avengers which had a score of 27.

Men in Black 3 is the first movie of the series to be released in 3D. The first movie was released back in 1997 and later a sequel "Men In  Black II" was released in 2002. It took 10 years after that for this latest installment to be released. Although MIB 3 is a post converted 3D movie, cinemablend.com reports that the conversion to 3D has been performed well to provide a rich 3D experience.

As of now there is no way to know for sure whether it will be shown at MC superior, but I've decided to wait in case it does. There is a possibility that it will be shown after "The Avengers" has finished its run, although how long it will take is not known. I will update this post as soon as I get any news about this.

image from wikipedia

Ballooning in Sri Lanka

Recently I got an opportunity to fly in a hot air balloon over Dambulla. Having traveled only in mechanized aircraft such as aeroplanes and helicopters before, this was a different and an interesting experience for me. Hot air balloons are one of the simplest modes of flight and it is because of this simplicity that it is such  a unique and wonderful experience.
The method it works cannot be simpler, The air in the balloon is heated using a gas burner, Hot air is less denser than the surrounding air, so it creates lift. You can only control the force of lift in a hot air balloon, that is by varying the heat given to the air. Where you go is out of your control. It depends on the direction the wind blows. This is why hot air ballooning is considered a sport rather than a mode of transport.
Balloon flights are usually scheduled early in the morning because the air is still and calm at that time. During later hours of the day the increasing temperatures give rise to thermals-columns of rising air that can interfere with the balloon and make maneuvering difficult. (Interestingly, thermals that hinder a balloon flight are the essential ingredient in gliding(which I'm awaiting to try out) where the force required to stay airborne is provided by thermals.) Therefore the morning is the best time for ballooning, besides  the sunrise seen from a balloon is a sight to behold..
Once airborne the balloon drifts away until you decide to land. Landing is done by allowing the heated air to escape by opening a vent at the top of the balloon by means of ropes and cables. Just like any other air sport, a smooth landing demands skill and practice.

heating the air to inflate

straightening the balloon

just before takeoff

sunrise

the gas burner

shadow of the balloon

opening the vent to land

Saruketha - A Sri Lankan Experience

Located in Kurunegala is a uniquely Sri Lankan restaurant named "Saruketha". Staying true to its name it has a refreshing, Sri Lankan village type atmosphere. A lot of attention has been given in creating that place, from the thatched roofs to the ambient music being played through perforated clay pots..They have a menu with a wide selection that is not restricted to Sri Lankan cuisine. The food is not exceptional although its unique surroundings and atmosphere makes it a worthy visit. However, the thing that grabbed my attention most is this funny weather forecast sign displayed at the entrance..

Weather Forecast

Seafood Bliss - Sea Fish Restaurant

Sea Fish is a restaurant dedicated to serving good seafood dishes. Its location behind the Regal cinema in a secluded corner in the Colombo city it helps to maintain the calm and quiet ambience of a good restaurant. They serve a wide selection of seafood main courses out of which my favourite is "Cheese Batter Prawns". They also have some decent Crab dishes as well. The quality of the food and service is considerably better than some other restaurants claiming to serve seafood. It is definitely worth the sea food lovers attention.

Colombo Fort Cafe

Harpo's Colombo Fort Cafe is situated in the Dutch hospital shopping precinct in Colombo. Having an old world look and feel to it it is a nice place to chill out and have a drink. I went there with my mother to grab a bite and was quite disappointed with the menu. There wasn't a big selection of food although being a Harpo's joint it had plenty of pizzas to offer. We didn't go there for pizzas and therefore felt the selection was inadequate. We ordered the Lebanese Chicken with Saffron rice, Fried Calamari and a tropical beef burger for me(I'm a huge fan of burgers). The rice and chicken were not up to the standard, the chicken was overcooked and had no flavour in it. The Calamari was crispy and tasted good while the beef burger was the best of the three. It was spicy and full of flavour.

The Colombo Fort Cafe

The Coffee Bean

A branch of "The Coffee Bean" is situated on the third level in the east tower of the World Trade Center. The other branches are situated at the Bandaranaike International airport and at Maitland Crescent. I've been to the one at world trade center and in my opinion, it's one of the finest coffee shops around. The cafe Latte they serve is the best I've had, and with 400ml of the stuff you'll never say it wasn't enough. Along with a wide selection of beverages they also serve delectable burgers, sandwiches, wraps and other snacks. The comfortable lounge is perfect to relax while sipping some hot coffee.

Here's a guide to different types of coffee extracted from their brochure,

The flavor of each coffee is dependent upon the origin characteristics and the roast degree of each coffee. This combination is used to determine the flavor category of each coffee: 'Light & Subtle','Rich & Smooth' and 'Bold & Distinctive'.
While the origin characteristics influence the look, taste and smell of the coffee, the roast degree also influences the final product. As coffee is roasted darker, its origin characteristics become muted. As the roast is progressing, the heat accelerates, intensifying the flavor by creating caramelization in the bean, which adds a new dimension to the flavor and aroma, not present during the early stages of the roast. While light and medium roasted coffees are more moderate in flavor and maintain much of the origin characteristics, a medium dark to dark roast coffee is very intense and loses much of the origin characteristics during the roasting process.
Available types,
Light & Subtle Coffees
-Jamaican
-Kona
-Brazil Cerrado
-Java Estate
-House Blend
-Tierra Natural Blend


Rich & Smooth Coffees
-Ethiopia Yirgacheffe
-Costa Rica La Cascada Tarrazu
-Colombia Narino
-Guatemala Antigua
-Papua New Guinea Sigri A
-Mocha Java Blend
-Panama Paraiso Blend
-Merengue Blend


Bold & Distinctive Coffees
-Kenya AA
-Sumatra Mandheling
-Anniversary blend
-Colombia Narino Dark
-Viennese Blend
-Sumatra Mandheling Dark
-Espresso Roast Blend
-French rost


Flavored Coffees
-Butterscotch Toffee
-Irish Creme
-Creme Brulee
-Cinnamon Hazelnut
-Chocolate
-French Vanilla
-Hazelnut

Decaffeinated coffees of some flavors are also available at The Coffee Bean.

A new place to hang around in Colombo

An old dutch hospital was converted into a shopping precinct and opened to the public on the 2nd of December 2011. It is a calm and quiet place and an excellent place to relax while having a cup of tea or coffee. It is situated right opposite the World Trade Centre.
The renovation of the old dutch hospital was done while making sure that the original architecture remains unchanged. This gives the "shopping precinct" an antique and an aesthetically pleasing look. The shopping precinct includes a few coffee shops, restaurants clothing and accessory outlets and textile and handicraft stalls.

more information : http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/912-old-dutch-hospital-converted-into-a-shopping-precinct-in-colombo