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The Dual Tak observatory which was available to guests in France has now been changed to a Dual TEC manual observatory where we now have two 140mm TECs with a focal length of 1m gathering data on the same Mesu mount.I did not have a spare camera to offer up so Steve Milnes has joined in as part of the team by donating his Moravian camera. We now share the data between the three of us.The guiding is excellent with this set-up, and by moving up to 1m focal length this has now opened up a whole new list of...

Congratulations to all the winning images at this years Astronomy Photography Awards in London.While we did not win a prize this year, myself and Olly Penrice were shortlisted in the Galaxy category for our "IC342 Hidden Galaxy photo taken last December.Further to this, our 400hr Orion mosaic was selected for the 10 year Anniversary exhibit which will be on show until next year, along with the winning images from this years competition. Click here to see them

The Images of Starlight Exhibition returns to the Botanic Gardens in November 2018, with 60 new framed photos from astrophotographers from all over Ireland.The first exhibition was a stunning success, with images spanning every type of Astronomical object and phenomenon, wowing the huge crowds.I've been branching out in DSLR night shoots from home in the last year. After a few clear nights from trips around the country in 2018, I submitted some photos to this year's exhibition, showcasing the Wild Atlantic Way at night. Please do head along to the Botanic Gardens to see the exhibits!

Over the past few months, I've been travelling back and forth to the south of France, where I have been constructing a Remote Observatory, kindly helped by various friends - it's a huge and very exciting project which I've been documenting, as the process may be of interest to others  - to find out more, check out my new Remote Observatory section, to see how things have been progressing! :)

In March, I returned to Sherkin Island to try a Milky Way Arc shot from the Horseshoe Cove.It was pouring rain on the 5 hour drive and boat trip to West Cork, but the forecast was for clearing skies. I went to the beach after a 2.5km walk with all the gear from the catering accommodation. I waited on the beach for over 3hrs!Finally, with about 45mins before the skies brightened with the morning Sun, the clouds disappeared. This is the darkest area I have ever been to - this, despite the brightish glow on the left of the image...