Fred Bruenjes

Maker of astronomical optics, cameras, instruments and images by day and night. Owner & Chief Engineer of @daystar_filters.

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

We did this in 2003 using Antarctic Logistics Centre International (part of ALE now) for a private total solar eclipse expedition to Dronning Maud Land. Fuel was shipped a year ahead of time on the Magdalena Oldendorff for our chartered IL-76 out of Cape Town. The ship got stuck in the ice and needed rescued. The fuel was pumped into bladders on the ice, but then the ice shelf calved and one bladder went to the bottom of the sea. Fun fact: nobody will insure fuel stored on an ice shelf! The ship only runs once a year. We had to barter with Maitri base to get enough fuel for the expedition to proceed, by flying in cargo for them on our flight. We all laugh about it now... it all worked out and my profile picture is the result!

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

@JuanLuisRizos Congratulations! What aperture of telescope was used? How many minutes does this animation cover?

[Damian Peach🔭🪐 @peachastro]

A wide view across the current sunspot groups heading off the solar disk this morning. Some nice activity occurring in the right hand group.

One thing i've come to find with solar work - i actually get more enjoyment from visually observing, especially in H-alpha. Images never quite seem to capture the amazing spectacle you have through the eyepiece!

120mm Apo with Daystar Quantum SE.

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

Tonight @NASAArtemis has gotten very difficult to see in the glow of the Moon as they near the flyby. Ha ha, my observatory is named "Moonglow Observatory" and here I am complaining about moon glow! Now magnitude 15.6 as measured by my 12" telescope from 239,000 miles away. This was my last chance to see them as tomorrow I pack up this gear so I can bring it to #NEAF next weekend!

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

Here's the #Artemis Integrity spacecraft at the moment the meter clicked over to 200,000 miles from Earth. It's just a 15th magnitude speck in my telescope now, six times fainter than when I imaged it two days ago.

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

Here's me capturing those images from inside the observatory dome:

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

The Artemis II Integrity spacecraft was screaming through the field of my 12" RC telescope just now. This is a 30x speed time lapse of one second exposures. It was 12th magnitude and 48,000 miles away when this was taken. It's so exciting that this is happening! #Artemis2

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

Comet Lemmon looks great tonight! 29x20 second exposures in the 14" SCT. I love the tail structure!

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

Newly discovered interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS isn't showing its tail yet in my small telescope, but it will sure be fun to watch in the coming year! #3IATLAS

[Firefly Aerospace @FireflySpace]

#BlueGhost got her first diamond ring! Captured at our landing site in the Moon’s Mare Crisium around 3:30 am CDT, the photo shows the sun about to emerge from totality behind Earth. Hope to have more shots to share soon! #BGM1

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

#Comet C/2023 A3 above my observatory, even the tail is easily visible to the eye.

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

Timelapse of #aurora over Missouri with a fisheye lens to show the whole sky!

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

Insane all sky #aurora over Missouri AGAIN tonight!

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Wow

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

A solar filter I built is on its way to the space station!

[SpaceX @SpaceX]

Liftoff of Falcon 9 and Cygnus!

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

Timelapse of aurora over Missouri tonight:

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

Incredible aurora tonight! All sky view with Nikon 8mm fisheye.

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

Dawn from my eclipse observing site!

[Fred Bruenjes @AstronomyFred]

https://t.co/Ot0exvjzyf

[Daystar Filters @daystar_filters]

SPACE LASER ECLIPSE CATS Solar Eclipse glasses!
Get 'em before we sell out!
https://t.co/DL08mU49qF