MISSION IN ANGOLA - MAY 2004

The astronomical mission of May 2004 in Angola ensured the achievement of images of austral deep-sky objects. The objectives of this mission, in line with the scientific cooperation between France and Angola initiated on the occasion of the 2001 and 2002 total eclipses, were the start of the telescope offered by France, the training of its future users and the assessment of the site of Tchivinguiro. This site is located in a nice province in southwest of Angola (latitude: 15°S; altitude: 1700 m). It is free from light pollution: during the clearest nights, one can see the stars rising on the horizon and the zodiacal light is visible up to the zenith.

I used a Takahashi FSQ-106 refractor, a SBIG ST10-XE CCD camera, a Canon 10D digital SLR with two zooms (16-35/2.8L and 70-200/2.8L), on a Losmandy Titan German mount, in parallel with the instruments of Christian Viladrich. A 60 mm refractor with a ST4 autoguider have also been used (click here for photographs of the instruments).

	The double crescent of the Moon and Venus on May 21 2004 FSQ-106 and Canon 10D Middle size image (1024x683) - Large size image (2058x1372)
	The comet C/2001 Q4 NEAT on May 13 2004 Canon 10D and 200 mm lens, 13 exposures of 5 mn with comet tracking Middle size image (1024x665) - Large size image (1525x990)
	South pole rotation (Centaurus, Southern Cross, Carina and Milky Way on top, Large Magellanic Cloud right-hand) Canon 10D and 16 mm lens, 5 exposures of 30 mn at F/5,6 Middle size image (1024x682) - Large size image (1600x1065)
	Eastern equatorial rotation (morning zodiacal light in the center of the image) Canon 10D and 16 mm lens on tripod, 7 exposures of 20 mn at F/5,6 Middle size image (1024x682) - Large size image (1600x1065)
	The Milky Way and the constellations of Sagittarius (left-hand) and Scorpius (right-hand) Canon 10D and 16 mm lens on tripod, 5 exposures of 5 mn at F/5,6 Image with legend - Middle size image (1024x682) - Large size image (2069x1378)
	The Milky Way and the constellations of Southern Cross (center), Centaurus (left-hand) an Carina (right-hand) Canon 10D and 16 mm lens, 10 exposures of 5 mn at F/5,6 Image with legend - Middle size image (1024x682) - Large size image (1544x1028)
	The largest globular cluster in the sky, Omega Centauri (NGC5139) FSQ-106 and ST10-XE, 50 exposures of 15 s in L plus RGB images Middle size image (1024x680) - Large size image (1618x1075)
	The galaxy Centaurus A (NGC5128) FSQ-106 and ST10-XE, 50 exposures of 45 s in L plus RGB images Middle size image (1024x680) - Large size image (1618x1075)
	The nebulae M8 (bottom), M20 (top) and the open cluster M21 (top left) in Sagittarius FSQ-106 and Canon 10D, 22 exposures of 5 mn Middle size image (768x1153) - Large size image (1378x2069)
	Nebulosities around Antares in Scorpius and the globular clusters M4, M80 and NGC6144 Canon 10D and 200 mm lenses, 26 exposures of 3 mn at F/3,5 Middle size image (768x1176) - Large size image (1280x1960)
	The Small Magellanic Cloud and the globular clusters 47 Tucana and NGC362 Canon 10D and 200 mm lens, 45 exposures of 2 mn at F/3,5 Middle size image (1024x682) - Large size image (2069x1378)
	The area of Eta Carina (right-hand) and the open cluster NGC3532 (left-hand) Canon 10D and 200 mm lens, 21 exposures of 5 mn at F/3,5 Middle size image (1024x680) - Large size image (1618x1075)
	Eta Carina (mosaic of 4 images) FSQ-106, ST10-XE and H-alpha filter, 4 series of 50 exposures of 45 s Middle size image (768x1157) - Large size image (1370x2064)
	The "Cat's Paw" nebula (NGC 6334) in Scorpius FSQ-106, ST10-XE and H-alpha filter, 28 exposures of 2 mn Middle size image (768x1133) - Large size image (1104x1626)
	The nebula NGC 6357 in Scorpius FSQ-106, ST10-XE and H-alpha filter, 35 exposures of 2 mn Middle size image (768x1143) - Large size image (1078x1605)
	Dark Bok globules in the nebula IC 2948 (Centaurus-Carina), with the small planetary nebula ESO129-29 (top left) FSQ-106, ST10-XE and H-alpha filter, 92 exposures of 1 mn Middle size image (768x1176) - Large size image (1047x1603)
	Close-up on Bok globules in IC 2948 FSQ-106, ST10-XE and H-alpha filter, 92 exposures of 1 mn
	The nebulae NGC 3576 (right-hand) and NGC 3603 (left-hand) in Carina FSQ-106, ST10-XE and H-alpha filter, 18 exposures of 2 mn Middle size image (768x1137) - Large size image (1089x1612)
	The nebula IC 4628 in Scorpius FSQ-106, ST10-XE and H-alpha filter, 60 exposures of 2 mn Middle size image (768x1144) - Large size image (1087x1619)

Thanks

The achievement of these images has been possible thanks to the support of:

• The University of Luanda, and in particular Jaime Vilinga, Manuel Luis and Joaquim Boavida
• the Astrophysical Institute of Paris, and in particular Serge Koutchmy
• the French Embassy in Luanda, and in particular Paul Lechuga and Sara Petitpas
• the Ministery of Research and Technology of Angola
• the National Center of Technology, and in particular its director Manuel Lopez
• the agronomy school of Tchivinguiro, and in particular its director Eng. Ebo and its computer manager José Fernandes

...and all the people who helped us, in Tchivinguiro and Lubango, and whose kindness and hospitality is unforgettable.