A New Old Hobby

 I recently came into possession of a new little gadget. 

It's an Astromaster 114 EQ by Celestron, a dinky 114mm Newtonian reflector. 

Anyone who knows about telescopes, as I do as I still own a 6 inch reflector that hasn't been used in a long time, knows that these aren't the greatest things in existence. But, it was gifted with kindness so I'm determined to enjoy it. 

I certainly enjoy being able to move it around easily, as my old telescope weighs about 16 tons. 

The mount is tricky to use in practice, but not impossible, and thanks to my old decent quality eyepieces, I have been able to see some interesting objects already. I'd forgotten how difficult astronomy is though, finding these interesting objects has been a struggle. 

But, I have seen the great Orion nebula, a subtle complex glow of star making gas and dust, filaments teasing the eye, and the Trapezium quadruple star theta Orionis that causes it to glow. 

I found the open cluster Messier 37 in Auriga, the salt and pepper cluster, tiny stars glittering in a messy clump against the darkness. After two nights of unsuccessful peering, I found the Perseus double cluster, slightly disappointing - I need a wider field eyepiece! 

I als observed the double star gamma Andromedae, a beautiful gold primary star, with a fainter duck egg blue companion. 

There's plenty more to see and enjoy, even from an urban garden with a narrow view and a security light I have to throw a coat over. The moon and Jupiter for example, hopefully on the next clear night. 

Si 

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 19.01.26 

Welcome to 2026, Everyone!

 I'm back in work, the year 2026 now appearing as my blog date, and I still haven't quite shaken off this wretched bloody cold that I feel like I've had for 6 weeks. Then to cap it all off, snow and ice arrive as I go back to work on my bicycle. 

Always a joyful experience that. 

What is rather more joyful, is the early appearance of some of our winter flowers. Just away from the Great Plain Tree of Friary Gardens, beautiful aconite has come into flower, little blonde choristers wearing their green choral robes up on what was once a medieval earthwork. 

In the cemetery, I even saw crocuses blooming in December, and even more shocking was the sight of a buff tailed bumblebee queen grazing noisily off mahonia next to the main road. 

I worry that spring will be over by the end of February at this rate! 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 07.01.26 

Reflections

 Not the pondering, wondersome kind. I have plenty of those, making my way in the world with neurological and neurodivergent conditions. I'm not very good at writing about them.

No, today we look at the physical sort brought about by vivid Christmas illuminations on a saturatingly wet day, the wet ground bouncing the lights in a slightly eerie glow. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 18.12.25

The Halo

 Clear skies, hexagonal ice crystals in the air, meant that the moon on Tuesday night put on a spectacular 22 degree halo for those skywatchers among us. 

I'm sure one of my readers must have seen it.  

As a binocular astronomer at the moment, the moon is normally bad news for me - I like looking for open clusters that get drowned out by the moon's light. But, there's still plenty of things that pop up for the naked eye viewer. 

And this saintly, crowned moon, was one of them. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 04.12.25 

Snowdrops. In November.

 My idea of Spring is perhaps different from others; I consider it to be the season when the ground starts erupting with new growth and flowers, new colour among the green and browns. 

That being said, the idea that Spring stars before Autumn has finished is a bit of a reach. Yet here we are, snowdrops are out in the cemetery. 

Si

All text and images are copyright CreamCrackeredNature 01.12.25 

The Sentinel

 The Sentinel has been watching over the people of our town for months now, perhaps as long as a year. 

I think it has no human operator. It works of its own accord, pulling up blocks of building material not particularly high into the air to make a new residential development on the old Marks and Spencer's site; an overpowered machine taller than the church steeple working on a four storey complex. 

Ergo, its purpose is not just there to build. It is there to survey all. 

I have no idea whether its presence is benificent, or malevolent. All I know is by day or night in all weathers, it pierces the sky above our town, casting a red glow over the surrounding shops, visible from miles away. 

What will happen to us when it leaves? Or perhaps, before its work is done. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 27.12.25 

Flaming Skies

 The combination of rain falling, with dark clouds clearing the horizon at sunset, led to spectacular skies this evening. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 18.11.25