Photography by Ian L. Sitren

Posts tagged “astronomy

Perseid Meteors

Debris from comet Swift-Tuttle becoming a meteor burning up as it enters Earth’s atmosphere. 08-11-2024 Palm Springs California

Debris from comet Swift-Tuttle becoming a meteor burning up as it enters Earth’s atmosphere.
Debris from comet Swift-Tuttle becoming a meteor burning up as it enters Earth’s atmosphere.
Debris from comet Swift-Tuttle becoming a meteor burning up as it enters Earth’s atmosphere.
Debris from comet Swift-Tuttle becoming a meteor burning up as it enters Earth’s atmosphere.
Debris from comet Swift-Tuttle becoming a meteor burning up as it enters Earth’s atmosphere.

The “Buck” Moon

The full moon in July is called the “Buck” moon named by the Algonquin people of the Northeastern United States. It signifies when the new antlers of the buck deer first become visible above their fur. July 21, 2024 Palm Springs California


Strawberry Moon


The Strawberry Moon is the first full moon of Summer when it occurs on the Solstice. It only happens every 19 – 20 years. Native American Tribles named it to match the short harvest time for Strawberries. It appears reddish because it’s close to the horizon and the lowest full Moon of the year. 06-21-2024 Palm Springs California

High Solar Activity


The two large Sunspot areas to the right, designated AR3712 and AR3713, have grown significantly in size to 3900 million square kilometers and 3300 million square kilometers. The dark lower Sunspot area AR3719, has become very active releasing an impulsive flare causing a radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean. 06-21-2024 Palm Springs California

Solar and Lunar Photography

I often get asked what I use for my Solar and Lunar photography. This is it… Fujifilm X-T3 camera body, 2x extender, 100-400mm lens. I use a Fujifilm cable release although sometimes I use the Fujifilm app on my iPhone. The Solar filter is from Thousand Oaks Optical. It is on a tall Induro tripod. But what really made things easier is this Benro geared head. The pool is optional. Thanks!


AR3712 More Active

The large Sunspot area, designated AR3712, continues to grow and now exhibits a mixed polarity magentic field. This could result in flares and solar winds causing radio disruption and auroral activity on Earth. 06-17-2024 Palm Springs California


Sunspot AR3712

The large Sunspt area is designated AR3712. Covering an area five times the surface of the Earth, it had greatly increased in size in the last 24 hours. Flares and magnetic complexity could bring Auroral activity and radio blackouts. 06-15-2024 Palm Springs California


Severe Solar Storms

Expected today, severe geomagnetic storms on Earth resulting from at least five coronal mass ejections (CME). The result will be radio blackouts and high auroral activity. The source for much of it is sunspot area AR3664, which has doubled in size in the last 24 hours. It is now 14 times larger than the area of the Earth. 05-10-2024 Palm Springs California

Solar Flares Cause Radio Blackouts

One photograph from this morning… Over the last 24 hours Solar Flares have caused numerous minor to moderate radio blackouts across the globe. The most active Sunspot area, designated AR3664, has been estimated to range from 81 – 99 individual Sunspots and as large an area as over 7 times the size of the Earth. 05-09-2024 Palm Springs California

Solar Activity Remains Very High

Solar activity remains very high with more X-flares, the highest category, producing Coronal Mass Ejections (CME). The large Sunspot area, designated AR 3664, is now seven times the size of the Earth and made up of 62 individual Sunspots. My photograph from this morning. 05-08-2024

Very High Solar Activity

The third day of very high solar activity. The Sunspot areas have produced a number of X-flares, the highest category, as well as other smaller flares. Active conditions are expected to continue with Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) and high speed solar winds from Coronal holes. The Earth can expect to see Geomagnetic storms disrupting radio and increased Auroras. 05-07-2024


14 Sunspot Regions

From this morning, 14 Sunspot regions make this the largest number so far in this Solar Cycle 25. These Sunspots have been throwing off Coronal Mass Ejections combimed with a fast Solar wind are causing strong geomagnetic storms on Earth. Auroras have been seen as far south as Pennsylvania, Oregon and Iowa. 04-24-2024

My Eclipse On ZUMA

Excited to see my photograph of today’s Solar Eclipse on the front page of the ZUMA Press website. Zuma is the largest independent press agency in the world. Only a partial Solar Eclipse here in Southern California. 04-08-2024 Palm Springs

Solar Eclipse 04-08-2024

Photographed the Solar Eclipse (partial) at it’s maximum coverage at 11:14am PST as seen from Palm Springs in Southern California.

AR3615 Even Larger

Sunspot Region AR3615 in the last 24hrs has increased in size 50% and now made up of 63 individual Sunspots. It is 3,360 million square kilometers Almost 20 times the size of the Earth. It continues to generate flares and geo-magnetic storms. March 25 2024 Palm Springs California

Active Sunspot Region

Sunspot region AR3615 has more than doubled in size in less than 24 hours. It is actually 54 individual Sunpots covering an area almost 5 times larger than Earth. It has produced numerous flares and Coronal Mass Ejections and is expected to continue, causing radio blackouts and Auroras. March 24 2024 Palm Springs California

52 Sunspots

The large grouping of Sunspots is designated region AR3615. Much larger than the surface of the Earth, it is composed of 52 individual Sunspots. March 22 2024.

Sunspots 2,010 Million Square Kilometers

The large Sunspot area is desiganted as AR3576. It is actually 44 individual Sunspots measuring 2,010 million square kilometers. By comparison the Earth is 510 million square kilometers. 02-08-2024 Palm Springs California

Sunspots 01-16-2024

Numerous Sunspots today. The larger areas are approximately 900 million square kilometers in size. By comparison the Earth measures 516 million square kilometers. Palm Springs California

Quadrantid Meteors

Overnight time-lapse. Numerous meteors from different directions. Some would be attributed to the Quadrantid shower which is known for very bright fireball meteors. 01-03-2023 Palm Springs California

Sunspots 12-23-2023

Numerous visible Sunspot areas including AR3531 on the left and AR3529 on the right. AR3529 is 1,260 million square kilometers. That is over twice the size of the Earth. Palm Springs California

Meteors Night Sky Time-lapse

Night sky time-lapse with meteors, some of which could be from the Geminid meteor shower which peaked two days ago. The Geminids will still be active through December 24. Although not dark sky conditions here, I count as many as ten. 12-16-2023 Palm Springs California.


Beaver Moon

The full Moon in Novermber is called the Beaver Moon. The time of year in North America that Beavers prepare their den and stock up on food for Winter. This is actually at 98% of full. 11-25-2023 Palm Springs California.

Lots Of Sunspots

Numerous large Sunspot regions after the last week with almost none. It is expected to create numerous flares, Coronal Mass Ejections, and high speed Solar Wind according to EarthSky.com. 11-23-2023 Palm Springs California