Sign in

Dave Keep

@astrodave63.bsky.social
361 followers 147 following 400 posts

Astronomy | Astrophotography | Physics | Mathematics | Member of the British Astronomical Association.

PostsRepliesMedia
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ast... #astronomy #astrophotography
rmg.co.uk
ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2026 winners
Take a look at the winning images in the world's biggest space photography competition
180
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Ooh, look what’s just arrived. “How to Design a Universe” by @astroroyalscot.bsky.social Looking forward to reading it. Hope the book sells really well as it’s for a good cause. 💫 #astronomy
A hardback book entitled How to Design a Universe by Catherine Heymans.
2100
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti... Did you see it? Cloud and rain for me. #astronomy #astrophotography
bbc.co.uk
Blood Moon partial lunar eclipse: Stunning photos capture August's full Moon
A lunar eclipse coincided with August's full Moon to make the celestial display even more spectacular
061
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The Waxing Gibbous Moon. Taken by me on 26 August 2026 with a Canon 700D DSLR and 600mm lens. Processed in Gimp. #astronomy #astrophotography #photography
The Waxing Gibbous Moon set against a black sky.
0193
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/zwo-seestar-... Another excuse to spend my money? It is tempting though. #astronomy #astrophotography
rothervalleyoptics.co.uk
ZWO Seestar S50 Pro Smart Telescope
ZWO Seestar S50 Pro Smart Telescope
570
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Partial lunar eclipse of the August 27-28 full Sturgeon Moon earthsky.org/astronomy-es... #astronomy
earthsky.org
Partial lunar eclipse of the August 27-28 full Sturgeon Moon
021
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
phys.org/news/2026-07... #astronomy
phys.org
NASA's new space telescope will tackle some of the universe's biggest mysteries
NASA is about to launch a space observatory that could help settle some of the biggest mysteries in modern astronomy. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will study how the universe began, what it i...
132
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
phys.org/news/2026-07... #astronomy
phys.org
Most powerful Northern Lights in a generation expose weaknesses in UK infrastructure
Millions of people across the UK marveled at the spectacular northern lights that lit up the night sky in May 2024. But while the display captivated skywatchers, the geomagnetic storm behind it also s...
081
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Some very different spiral galaxies: NGC 1365, the Fornax Propeller Galaxy, and NGC 5078 in Hydra. The spiral NGC 5101 can be seen to the top left of NGC 5078. These images were processed by me using Siril, GraXpert, Starnet and Gimp. Data credit: Telescope Live. #astrophotography #photography
A double-barred spiral galaxy set against a black sky peppered with stars.A side-on spiral galaxy with a central dust lane and a smaller spiral galaxy to the top left. Both set against a black sky peppered with stars.
0354
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/list... #astronomy #eclipse #solar #lunar
timeanddate.com
Solar and Lunar Eclipses Worldwide – Next 10 Years
List of where the next solar or lunar eclipse is visible. Check if you can see it in your city.
191
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
A couple of celestial delights: M68, a globular cluster in Hydra, and reflection nebula IC4605 in Scorpius. These were processed by me using Siril, GraXpert and Gimp. Data credit: Telescope Live. #astrophotography #photography
A globular cluster with primarily white, blue and yellow stars set against a black background peppered with more stars.Reflection nebulae in Scorpius. The bright star near the bottom is Antares which is responsible for illuminating the surrounding nebula. To the right of Antares is the globular cluster, M4. Bluish reflection nebulae can be seen above Antares, together with some dark nebulae. This area is part of the Ophiuchus Molecular Cloud.
1409
Reposted by Dave Keep
Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Here are just a few of the brilliant butterflies and moths to look out for in your gardens and green spaces this month! 🦋🌻 See how many you can spot in the Big Butterfly Count from 17 July - 9 August 👉 bigbutterflycount.org
Butterfly Conservation's Butterflies and Moths to see in July: Common Blue, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Painted Lady, Silver Y, Peacock, Six-spot Burnet, Meadow Brown, Garden Tiger, Small White
04013
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Colourful marigold and petunias in my garden today. All photos taken by me with a Canon 700D DSLR and a Canon 100mm macro lens. #photography #nature #flowers #macrophotography
A yellow-orange marigold in my garden.A purple petunia in my garden.A purple petunia in my garden.
0130
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Summer Solstice Moon. The Moon looks great even during the daytime. I took this today using a Canon 700D DSLR at 18h 30m UT. Some minor processing with Gimp. #astrophotography 📷
The Moon set against a blue sky.
5668
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
earthsky.org/constellatio... All about Cygnus. #astronomy #astrophotography
earthsky.org
Cygnus the Swan flies along the Milky Way
1112
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
www.space.com/space-explor... The latest on Artemis 3. #astronomy #space #Artemis
space.com
NASA reveals Artemis 3 astronaut crew
The quartet will fly to Earth orbit next year to test docking techniques and procedures ahead of a planned moon landing in 2028.
050
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Cloudy skies for me so time to practice some image processing. This is a reflection nebula in Monoceros called the Angel Nebula (NGC 2170). I processed this using Siril, GraXpert, Starnet++, Veralux and Gimp. Data credit: Telescope Live. #astrophotography #photography
A nebula illuminated by nearby young stars giving it a ghostly appearance. The colours are primarily soft blues and whites which result from the reflection and scattering of starlight off dust particles. Together with several dark dust lanes and a red emission area, this nebula is noted as an active star-forming region.
4314
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Last night’s #Moon (22 April 26). Taken by me using a 4 inch refractor and a ZWO ASI 174MM camera. Software: SharpCap, Autostakkert, ICE, Registax and Gimp. #astrophotography #photography
The Crescent Moon showing the dark grey lunar seas and the lighter highlands peppered with craters.
1625
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
The #Moon is currently a Waxing Gibbous and looks stunning tonight. If you get a chance, go out and take a look, weather permitting of course. I took this photo with my Canon 700D DSLR and 600mm lens. Slightly sharpened and cropped in Gimp. #astrophotography #photography
A waxing Gibbous Moon with dark grey areas representing the lunar seas, and the lighter grey areas representing the highlands. The image is peppered with craters, especially towards the bottom.
1484
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
The Trifid Nebula (Messier 20) in Sagittarius. This is a LRGB image processed by me using Siril, GraXpert, Starnet++ and Gimp. Data: Telescope Live/Alistair Scobie. Integration time: 1h 18m. #astrophotography #astronomy #photography #PhotoHour #StormHour #sciart #nebula
There are three nebulae here: the red emission nebula, the blue reflection nebula and the dark nebula which gives the nebula its distinctive 3-lobed look. The nebula is set against a black sky peppered with stars.
2559
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
The new series of the Sky at Night programme begins on 13th April on BBC4 at 10pm. The team are looking at the Artemis II mission and what it hopes to achieve. #astronomy
181
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy in Hydra. This is a LRGB dataset I downloaded from the #Telescopelive website and processed it myself using Siril, GraXpert, Starnet++ and Gimp. #astrophotography #photography Data credit: Telescopelive/Judith Prana.
A spiral galaxy with blue spiral arms set against a black sky peppered with stars.
2252
Reposted by Dave Keep
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
The Waxing Gibbous #Moon from 28 February 2026 at 20h 55m UT. This was taken with my Canon 700D DSLR and 600mm lens. Processed using Gimp. #astrophotography #photography #SciArt
The Waxing Gibbous Moon. The dark grey areas are the lunar seas, with a bit of colour, while the lighter grey areas are the lunar highlands. Towards the bottom of the photo are numerous craters.
0262
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
The Waxing Gibbous #Moon from 28 February 2026 at 20h 55m UT. This was taken with my Canon 700D DSLR and 600mm lens. Processed using Gimp. #astrophotography #photography #SciArt
The Waxing Gibbous Moon. The dark grey areas are the lunar seas, with a bit of colour, while the lighter grey areas are the lunar highlands. Towards the bottom of the photo are numerous craters.
0262
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
The Waxing Gibbous #Moon. I took this on 25 Feb 2026 using my 4 inch refractor and ZWO ASI174MM camera. Software: SharpCap, Autostakkert, ICE, Registax and Gimp. #astrophotography #photography #PhotoHour
The Moon with dark grey lunar seas and light grey highlands, peppered with numerous craters.
0394
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #astronomy Looks like a further delay in Artemis II launch.
bbc.co.uk
Nasa astronauts' moon mission likely to be delayed
The mission to the far side of the Moon and back will likely be postponed after problems with were spotted with its rocket, a Nasa official said.
3157
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
If you have a clear SW/W horizon you should be able to spot the Moon, Saturn, Mercury and Venus after sunset. A nice photo opportunity. #astrophotography #photography
An image of the blue twilight sky showing the position of the Moon, Saturn, Mercury and Venus.
1213
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
#astronomy #sun #rain #cloud #solarobserver 😒
media.tenor.com
a man is talking on a cell phone and saying `` quit raining , give me back my sun '' .
ALT: a man is talking on a cell phone and saying `` quit raining , give me back my sun '' .
2141
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Tonight’s waxing Gibbous Moon. Taken with a Canon 700D and 600 mm lens. Processed using Gimp and iPhone. #astrophotography #photography
A waxing Gibbous Moon showing the dark- coloured lunar seas and the light grey highlands peppered with numerous craters.
0481
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Managed to take a quick photo of the waxing Gibbous #Moon last night (27 Jan 2026) during a clear period. I took this with a Canon 700D DSLR and 600mm lens. Some minor processing using Gimp. #astrophotography #photography
This photo shows the waxing Gibbous Moon, about 69% illuminated. It consists of the light grey highlands and the much darker grey lunar seas or Maria. 

One of the most prominent seas is the Mare Crisium which you can see to the right. To its left is the Mare Tranquillitatis with the brownish-grey Palus Somni (Marsh of Sleep) on its eastern edge.

Above the Mare Tranquillitatis we find the Mare Serenitatis, above which you can see two prominent craters: Aristoteles (top) and Eudoxus.

 On the far left of the Moon is Oceanus Procellarum and the Mare Insularum with its prominent crater, Copernicus (filled with shadow). To the right of Copernicus is the smaller crater, Eratosthenes.

At the top of the image you can see the dark-floored crater Plato, above which is the Mare Frigoris.

The centre of this image is dominated by the impressive crater chain: Ptolemaeus (top), Alphonsus and Arzachel. The region below the crater chain is heavily cratered, the most notable craters here are Tycho and Clavius.
0270
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Visible planets and night sky guide for January and February earthsky.org/astronomy-es... #astronomy
earthsky.org
Visible planets and night sky guide for January and February
041
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
After a week of relentless cloud and rain, the Moon finally came out to play. I took this photo of the Crescent Moon on Saturday (24 Jan 2026) using my Canon 700D DSLR and 600mm lens. Cropped using Gimp. #Astrophotography #PhotoHour #Photography
This photo shows the waxing Crescent Moon, about 34% illuminated. It consists of the light grey highlands and the much darker grey lunar seas or Maria. 

The most prominent of the seas is the Mare Crisium which you can see to the right. To its left is the Mare Tranquillitatis with the brownish-grey Palus Somni (Marsh of Sleep) on its eastern edge.

Above the Mare Tranquillitatis we find the circular and partially hidden Mare Serenitatis.

There are many craters shown here; the most prominent being the crater chain seen on the lower left of the Mare Tranquillitatis. The chain consists of three craters (from top to bottom): Theophilus, Cyrillus and Catharina. 

The two prominent craters above and to the right of the Mare Serenitatis are (left to right): Hercules and Atlas. The large circular crater, Posidonius, can be seen on the Mare Serenitatis' eastern edge.
1407
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
A new comet is on its way- and it could be a bright one. earthsky.org/space/new-su... #astronomy
earthsky.org
New sungrazing comet might get bright. See maps here!
2318
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
2026 should be a good year for #astronomy www.timeanddate.com/news/astrono...
timeanddate.com
Skywatching Tips for 2026
2026 is packed with celestial highlights, including meteor showers, eclipses, and standout planetary events. Here’s what to watch for—and when—in the night sky.
090
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Betelgeuse revealing its secrets. science.nasa.gov/missions/hub... #astronomy
science.nasa.gov
NASA Hubble Helps Detect 'Wake' of Betelgeuse’s Elusive Companion Star - NASA Science
New Hubble and ground-based observations allowed astronomers to track the influence of a recently discovered companion star around Betelgeuse.
091
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
www.space.com/stargazing/a... #astronomy
space.com
Will 2026 bring strong auroras? What the sun's recent activity tells us
2025 was another busy year on the sun. But how did it compare with 2024, and what will 2026 bring for solar activity and the northern lights?
031
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
@epiphanyappleseed.bsky.social Spotted this in November’s edition of the #skyatnightmagazine 👏
021
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
I see Maggie Aderin-Pocock is giving the Christmas Lecture at the Royal Institution this year. Should be good. #astronomy
180
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
Had a couple of bets on the horses today, one at York and the other at Naas in Ireland. Won £68 altogether. Happy days. 😀 #sport #horseracing #betting 🏇
011
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
I've had a go at imaging the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) using my #Seestar S50 smart telescope. This is just 50 minutes integration. I will add more data in due course. Processed with Siril, GraXpert, Starnet++ and Gimp. #astrophotography #PhotoHour #photography
A colourful nebula in a dark sky peppered with stars.
3504
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
I shall reach the grand old age of 65 this coming Sunday. I’ve decided I need a new hobby so I’ve bought a #Yamaha #Pacifica #electricguitar 112v. Time to make some noise. 😀🎸 #musicsky #rockmusic #guitar
An electric guitar on a stand in the corner of a room.
6482
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Those of you who own a #Seestar may like to know that there is a firmware update available to download. Details below. #astronomy #astrophotography
071
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
I’ve been learning how to use Siril, GraXpert, Starnet++ and Gimp to process Astro images. I downloaded free Seestar data from Abdur Astro’s YouTube channel and this is my first attempt at processing the Orion Nebula (M42) using that data. 😊 #astrophotography #PhotoHour 📷
A red-pink gaseous nebula set against a dark sky peppered with white stars.
0524
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/perseid... #astronomy
skyatnightmagazine.com
Perseid meteor shower 2025 top tips | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Top tips for observing the Perseid meteor shower in 2025. A beginner's guide to seeing a shooting star this summer.
071
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
www.space.com/astronomy/as... Interesting article on the DART results. #astronomy
space.com
NASA's asteroid-crash Earth defense tactic has a complication — DART ejected large boulders into space
"You can think of it as a cosmic pool game. We might miss the pocket if we don't consider all the variables."
0164
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
phys.org/news/2025-06... #astronomy
phys.org
The mystery of Mercury's missing meteorites, and how we may have finally found some
Most meteorites that have reached Earth come from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. But we have 1,000 or so meteorites that come from the moon and Mars. This is probably a result of asteroid...
061
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
It’s been a while since I last posted a photo on here. This is today’s Sun in white light. Taken with a 4 inch refractor and ZWO ASI 174MM camera. Software: SharpCap, Autostakkert, ICE, Registax and Gimp. Some nice spots on view. #astrophotography #StormHour #PhotoHour 📷
The yellow disk of the Sun showing a few dark sunspots.
311711
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
@emily.space I’ve noticed the astronomy and astrophotography feeds have not been working on my phone since yesterday lunchtime although everything else on here is working. Is there a problem with these feeds? Is this something you can check or should I get in touch with Bluesky support? Thanks.
230
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
I’ve received a couple of red alerts from my #aurora app. Not much use during the daytime but if it keeps this up then tonight could be interesting. #astronomy #sun
0202
Dave Keep @astrodave63.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Last night’s Moon. A partially cloudy sky here last night so for quickness I used the #Seestar S50 smart telescope instead of my usual gear. #astrophotography #PhotoHour #StormHour 📷
The Moon. Light grey in colour with darker grey patches representing the lunar seas. There are numerous craters across the surface.
2663