New Web Site Up

Finally got a new web site up for Jeffrey Phillips Design. Check it out!

Mars 2012.2

Better conditions, but still not as good as I would have hoped. I've seen the blue on the sides in other folk's pictures, so I guess it's a real thing and not an imaging artifact.

Heritage Park Observatory, Cedar Park, TX

Camera: PGR Flea2

Scope: Celestron C11, TeleVue 2.5x Powermate

Mount: Celestron CI-700

Filter: Orion LRGB

Software: AstroIIDC, RegiStax, Photoshop

Mars 2012.1

That's just, ungh. But it's as big as Mars is going to get this year. Really crappy seeing for the opposition--maybe tonight will be better.

Heritage Park Observatory, Cedar Park, TX
Camera: PGR Flea2
Scope: Celestron C11, TeleVue 2.5x Powermate
Mount: Celestron CI-700
Filter: Orion LRGB
Software: AstroIIDC, RegiStax, Photoshop

xkcd: The Orion Nebula

Also on the agenda: what's with his hips?

Don't Stop Believin'

Don't Stop Believin' Demo (60 sec)

Even though Garage Band's been around for a few years now, I'm still amazed at what one guy, with only limited talent, can produce sitting alone at his desk.

Job Hunting

A little too close to reality to be funny.

How to Make Tape

1. Get a tape-making machine.

2. Turn it on.

My Poor Child

Rub some dirt on it. You'll be fine.

Stratocaster

100% vector art. Drawn with Adobe Illustrator CS5.

M42, The Orion Nebula

There's a reason this is one the most-photographed deep sky objects.


Heritage Park Observatory, Cedar Park, TX
Exposure: 20 x 30 sec (10:00) @ ISO 400, 10 x 300 sec (50:00) 10 flat, 10 dark
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XT (350D) (modified)
Scope: AT6RC, AT2FF field flattener
Mount: CI-700
Guider: AT80EDT, Meade DSI
Filter: Astronomic CLS
Software: PHD Guiding, Nebulosity, Photoshop

Stratocaster: Work In Progress

If I'm not gonna get paid to draw, I'm gonna draw what I want!

Portfolio Pieces

I was going through some things, thinking about adding them to the portfolio site. I like these, but is something I did 17 years ago still relevant? Everything from the last few years all sorta looks alike.

Job Search

The updated portfolio is here! If you're in need of a graphic designer/illustrator/tech writer or photographer, I'm available for freelance gigs or a full-time position.

iSad

The Mac basically made my job possible. Sure, there have been designers and illustrators and photographers and musicians and creative people forever, but it was that box that made it possible to play in so many sandboxes, to explore so many things, to marry technology and creativity. So thanks, Steve.

I'm sad there won't be, "and one more thing" this time.

Jupiter & Europa, 2 October 2011

Here's one more from the other night, this time with the moon Europa nearby.

It occurred to me; two of the greatest planetary imagers in the world are Facebook friends. Suddenly I'm embarrassed to post these. I sometimes feel like a kid putting his pictures up on the refrigerator and calling them art.

Jupiter, 2 October 2011 Reprocessed

I don't see any point in making more Jupiter pictures this season!

I take that back--I still want to get detail on Ganymede. I've seen it done, but not often.

Jupiter, 2 October 2011

This is why I stayed up late tonight.

Jupiter, 1 October 2011

Jupiter, 1 October 2011

It's been a long, hot summer. When the temperature is still over 90° at 11:00 p.m., my interest in astronomy wanes. But we've finally gotten a little break in the weather, so I pulled out the C11 and stayed up late to make this thoroughly uninspiring shot of Jupiter. The sky looked pretty steady naked-eye, but the focus kept drifting in and out.

Heritage Park Observatory, Cedar Park, TX
Exposure: 500 frames each L, R, G, B
Camera: Point Grey Research Flea @ 640x480, 16-bit
Scope: Celestron C-11, Televue 2.5x Powermate (f/25)
Mount: Celestron CI-700
Guider: none
Filter: Orion LRGB set
Software: AstroIIDC, Registax 6, Photoshop

Outreach

If you've ever wondered what it's like trying to "do astronomy" with Cub Scouts, this is pretty close. If only he had a green laser, he could be answering "Is that a real laser? Where did you get it? How much does it cost? Can I use it? Will you point it at __?"

You're Doing It Wrong

Since Rick Perry asked Texans to pray for rain in April we have seen a continuation of the worst one-year drought in history, the hottest summer on record, and now while Louisiana and Mississippi get much-needed drenching rains we are getting wildfires in Texas.

Just the facts.