Remote Imaging - Going over to the Dark Side

“Remote Imaging - going over to the Dark Side”
Jeremy Phillips FRAS

Friday 26th June at 19:30

This talk will be a "hybrid" format event: it may be viewed in person at Newchurch Pavilion, Watery Lane, Newchurch, Sandown, Isle of Wight [nearest postcode PO36 0LX] AND may be viewed online via Zoom. For online access please obtain tickets from the Eventbrite ticket page. The suggested donation is £3 for non-members of Vectis Astronomical Society.

Jeremy Phillips introduces himself and the talk:

“I am a retired television documentary maker living in south London. For many years I used narrowband filters to take images of the night sky from my heavily light polluted back garden and travelled out of the city whenever possible to sample darker skies.”

“Eighteen months ago, I set up a telescope at a remote facility in Texas. This was a huge step forward, enabling me to take images under pristine, clear skies most nights.”

“But what is the actual experience of remote imaging really like? Isn’t astrophotography all about being hands on with a telescope, under real skies where you can look up at the Cosmos in wonderment? Every frame hard fought, against the challenges of unpredictable weather and frosty fingers? And what about the quality of the images - are they really such a huge leap forward? In short, is it worth it?”

“Using my images, I will tell the story of my own experience. And it might not be what you expect.”

“I am interested in astrophotography as an art form that intersects with science and technology. My images are created purely with the light gathered through my lenses. Nothing else is added.”

“I am a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and founder of London’s ‘Meridian Flippers’ astrophotography group. My images are taken in the south of England, La Palma, Canada’s Vancouver Island and remotely in Texas. I share my nights under the stars with astro-dog Cosmo.”

The Vectis Astronomical Society (http://www.wightstronomy.org) meets on the 4th Friday of most months, excluding December. The talks are open for non-members to attend. We have a suggested donation of £3.00 for non-members of VAS. The speakers come from all over the country and give a presentation for around 45 minutes, with a chance for questions and answers afterwards.