Rex I. De Silva

                                                             reefcomber@gmx.com

In a few months I will commence on my 50^th year as an observational astronomer. In taking stock I itemize some of the more interesting phenomena I have observed.

•      More than 1,000 observations of the Sun/sunspots.
•      2 transits of Venus,
•      4 transits of Mercury,
•      15 comets,
•      150+ variable star estimates,
•      One annular eclipse
•      A couple of partial solar eclipses,
•      Numerous lunar eclipses,
•      Several meteor showers
•     Asteroids Ceres, Vesta, Pallas and Irene.
•      Numerous lunar and planetary observations.
•        Collected meteorites from the Sri Lankan jungles.
•     More than 200 lunar occultation timings for a joint study by the Royal Greenwich Observatory (RGO) and U. S. Naval Observatory (USNO).
•      Supernova SN1987A.
•      Observed and photographed a (probably unknown) Near Earth Object (NEO). 

Sunspot AR1944 

The waxing Moon

I estimate that I have exceeded 6,500 observations/days to date. I have taught myself to repair and service telescopes, binoculars and other optical instruments; a service I carry out on an honorary basis for friends. Although I have used observatory telescopes and large amateur instruments, being a follower of the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle, I prefer light and portable equipment  which is easy to carry, set-up and use. Therefore by choice I largely use normal binoculars, a small vintage terrestrial refractor and simple point-and-shoot digital camera.

                                                                                                              The International Space Station (ISS)

The highlights of my skywatching career were my observations of Comets Bennett (1970) and Hyakutake (1996), and the transits of Venus (2004 and 2012). I have captured several images of satellites, asteroids and the International Space Station (ISS). My photograph of a Triple conjunction (1986) is probably the only image in existence showing a conjunction of Sun, Moon and the planet Venus.

                                                      Triple conjunction of the Sun, Moon and Venus. I believe that this image is unique. 
                                                                
My greatest regret is that although I have been observing the Sun for almost half-century, I have never seen a white-light solar flare, however I will keep looking.

My prized meteorite

The 7mm macrochondrule in my meteorite. Chondrules and macrochondrules are never present in Earth rocks.

                                                                                                                        Partial solar eclipse

                                                                                          An unidentified Near Earth Object (Asteroid).

                                                                                                  The Moon and Asteroid Irene (28 March 2014)

My website has five astronomy pages which can be accessed at www.rexdesilva.org  (Access is restricted to prevent plagiarism. If you wish to visit my website, please inbox me for access).



                                                      Note: The contents of this blog are © Copyright: Rex I. De Silva. All rights reserved.