Starship Asterisk*

A Glimpse of CLIMSO

Explanation: A tantalizing glimpse inside this dome was captured after sunset at the mountain top Pic Du Midi Observatory in the French Pyrenees. But while most are just beginning their work at sunset, this observatory's day was done. The instrument looming within is CLIMSO (for Christian Latouche IMageur Solaire), dedicated to exploring dynamic phenomena across the surface and atmosphere of the Sun. To image the solar atmosphere or corona, CLIMSO uses coronographs. Developed by French astronomer Bernard Lyot in the 1930s, coronographs block light from the center of the telescope beam to create an artificial solar eclipse and allow a continuous view of the solar corona. In this surreal twilight scene above a sea of clouds, the dome's interior was revealed by the single, long exposure as the open slit rotated across the field of view.

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http://www.climso.fr/en/pages/project/CLIMSO-WhatWhoHowHowmuch.html wrote:
17/11/2007 16:01 : Michel PUJOL and Jean-Louis LEVIEIL, associated observers at CLIMSO controls, record the passage of an aeroplane on L2, and 2 seconds later on C1, 30 minutes before sunset. On L2, is the usual image of a cabin and engine trail. On C1, the aspect is similar with an enormous loop. The effect of the atmospheric refraction can also be seen. This image will be in the headlines of Space Weather on Nov. 20, 2007, well known site of NASA.

What an extraordinary photo!
Thank you.

Great photo, those outerworldly shadows inside the dome are fantastic.

"But while most are just beginning their work at sunset, this observatory's day was done. " should read "But while most are just beginning their work at sunRISE, this observatory's day was done.

What a great location and captured so beautifully in this image. What strikes me is how the clarity of the depth of field really shows the Pyrenees in such sharp detail and I like how the light from the La Mongie ski resort, beneath the cloud layer, illuminates those cold clouds with a warm glow. Great job on this time-exposure!

ellesmith wrote:"But while most are just beginning their work at sunset, this observatory's day was done. " should read "But while most are just beginning their work at sunRISE, this observatory's day was done.

It's referring to observatories. Most of them work at night, not day. It is correct.

It is amazing what you can see through the narrow slit of the observatory if you wait long enough.

orin stepanek wrote:
It is amazing what you can see through the narrow slit of the observatory if you wait long enough.

Orin is hardly ever (Suzie) Wong

ellesmith wrote:"But while most are just beginning their work at sunset, this observatory's day was done. " should read "But while most are just beginning their work at sunRISE, this observatory's day was done.

geckzilla wrote:It's referring to observatories. Most of them work at night, not day. It is correct.

No, I agree with geckzilla. This is a Solar Observatory. Its day begins at sunrise and ends at sunset, contrary to most observatories. The quote is correct.

geckzilla wrote:

ellesmith wrote:"But while most are just beginning their work at sunset, this observatory's day was done. " should read "But while most are just beginning their work at sunRISE, this observatory's day was done.

It's referring to observatories. Most of them work at night, not day. It is correct.

Or to astronomers <g>. I used to work at Big Bear Solar Observatory; when I was in solar astronomer mode, my schedule was 180° shifted from most other astronomers. That is going to be very obvious when you're at an observatory complex with both conventional and solar observations going on.

HOLY SMOKES!!! IT LOOKS LIKE A DEATH RAY MACHINE!!!!

Dr. Evil's...."L.A.S.E.R."

:---[===] *

Chris Peterson wrote:

geckzilla wrote:

ellesmith wrote:
"But while most are just beginning their work at sunset, this observatory's day was done. "
should read "But while most are just beginning their work at sunRISE, this observatory's day was done.

It's referring to observatories. Most of them work at night, not day. It is correct.

Or to astronomers <g>.

Or to non radio astronomers.

Hey! I fit right in. I'm not an astronomer and i don't have a radio. But i go one step further and also don't work nights or days.

The Artificial Solar eclipse of the CLIMSO, is a good system for to see the Solar Corona.
The Solar Corona has 1 million of degree C and tha radiation is very high.
I think that " to see" the Solar Corona is a few danger.

It's a fascinating image. I am wondering what is the small looking building below and right of the observatory. It seems to be right on top of a ridge, so how is it accessed? It's in a place (in more ways than one! ).

DavidLeodis wrote:
I am wondering what is the small looking building below and right of the observatory. It seems to be right on top of a ridge, so how is it accessed? It's in a place (in more ways than one! ).

I'm guessing that it is probably the restroom facilities.

Gigantic observatory and the restrooms have to be separated and all the way down there?

geckzilla wrote:Gigantic observatory and the restrooms have to be separated and all the way down there?

Of course we know Art's just kidding. I believe the building is an intermediate cable-car station. Further over the ridge (out of view) is La Mongie ski resort.

alter-ego wrote:

geckzilla wrote:Gigantic observatory and the restrooms have to be separated and all the way down there?

Of course we know Art's just kidding. I believe the building is an intermediate cable-car station. Further over the ridge (out of view) is La Mongie ski resort.

Thanks alter-ego.

No way, Art never jokes about anything, ever...

HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA (finally got to use this smilie)