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Thoughts

Writing & process

Meet Theo: I Just Needed a Theodolite

Meet Theo: I Just Needed a Theodolite

Skywarden gained support for detailed horizon profiles - but creating one required either expensive surveying hardware or apps that cost €20–30 for a task most astrophotographers do once or twice. So I built Theo: a free PWA that uses your phone's sensors and camera to capture azimuth/altitude pairs around the full 360° and export them as a .hrz file. This is the story of why it exists, how the sensor math works, and where it fits into the Skywarden workflow.

A night to remember

A night to remember

On the night of Jan 19 - 20, the strongest aurora I’ve seen so far lit up the sky in vivid green, pink, and violet. Driven by an X1.9 solar flare and an Earth-directed CME, geomagnetic activity surged beyond Kp 8,67 (G4 on NOAA’s scale) and the main show peaked between 21:45 and 23:30. With a new-moon darkness and clear, cold air, the green curtains were even visible to the naked eye - and I ended up capturing it all on my iPhone because my camera wasn’t charged.

HTT 2025 – Part 3: Bye And See You Again

HTT 2025 – Part 3: Bye And See You Again

The final morning brought a peaceful end to a weekend full of astronomy and friendship. After a much quieter night free from mosquitoes, I found myself both eager and reluctant to pack up our gear. Reviewing the night’s images while still half-asleep, I was grateful to see the skies had cleared and allowed for some last-minute shots of the Bubble Nebula. Saying goodbye to Ronald and the new friends we had made was bittersweet; these connections beyond the telescopes gave the event a special warmth. As we headed home to Chemnitz, I carried with me the joy of a weekend well spent under the stars, knowing that next year, we would return to Jeßnigk to do it all over again.

HTT 2025 – Part 2: So Close to the Sun

HTT 2025 – Part 2: So Close to the Sun

This Saturday at the Herzberger Teleskoptreffen was a mix of challenges and unforgettable moments: from a restless mosquito-filled night to breathtaking views of the sun through H-alpha telescopes, and the peaceful charm of Jeßnigk’s village life. Despite weather hurdles and technical setbacks, the experience deepened my passion for astrophotography and stargazing, reminding me that each night under the stars holds its own unique magic — sometimes quiet and clear, sometimes clouded, but always inspiring.

HTT 2025 – Part 1: Now or Never!

HTT 2025 – Part 1: Now or Never!

In pursuit of a long-awaited father-son road trip, I found myself racing daylight to the Herzberger Teleskoptreffen — our van packed with excitement, telescopes, and hope for clear skies. As we set up camp beside familiar faces and under a darkening Brandenburg sky, a sense of adventure took over. With the Milky Way shimmering overhead and the thrill of finally capturing Sh2-132, the night blended my passion for astrophotography with precious moments shared with my son — complete with laughter, starlight, and a few stubborn mosquitoes.