At astroGC we use free software for post processing of images. The camera is setup to save a RAW format of each picture. This produces extremely large files as it just save all the infomation from the camera chip. But this format alows to retouch the color balance, exposure and hundreed of more parameters. We do this treatment with RAWTHERAPEE, a free program under GNU licence. Afterwards, a last retouch can be performed with GIMP, also free / GNU licenced program. Thanks to both companies for developing such powerful softwares.

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Hydraulic power station in Gran Canaria

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The company Red Electrica de España is planning to build a huge hydraulic power station between the dams of Soria and Chira in Gran Canaria.
This is quite near the area where we are going to stargaze at astroGC.
Fortunately the area being protected, the hydraulic power station will be underground.




The plan is to pump the water up when the wind turbines are producing more energy than the consumed energy on the island. And recover this energy when needed.
More info (in Spanish) here: www.soriachira.com
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The canarian common kestrel (Falco Tinnunculus) is a small falcon abundant in Gran Canaria. Its name in Spanish is "Cernícalo". It is the most extended bird of prey specie in the canary islands. Its size is 30-35 cm from head to tail and 70-80 cm wingspan. 

As a specie, It is native of the Canary Island but not endemic. There are 2 subspecies: Dacotiae in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura and Canariensis in the rest of islands.
Its diet mainly consists of smaller birds, small mammals like mice (introduced in the canary islands). In Gran Canaria, the canarian common kestrel also hunts the endemic Gran Canarian giant lizard (Gallotia Stehlini). Those living near the urban centers also hunt caged birds like parakeets.

A gorge situated near Telde has been named after this bird. This is the "Barranco de los Cernícalos". This is an advisable place for a trekking tour because ot the abundant vegetation of the gorge.
On 24th March 2019, at astroGC we had a photo stop at the Mulato v…
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Happy to share with you this nice shoots we took during this week:



This one has been taken using a mobile phone and our powerful hand made telescope. The waning moon is rising up the pine trees situated about 15 km away. A few clouds on the horizon give a special interest to this picture.


This one is of our hand made telescope. In the background there are a few pine trees I was lighting with my front headlight during the 30 seconds exposure of the photography. This is a genuine picture. Nevertheless the post treatment of the foreground is slightly different from the post treatment of the background with the starry sky.



This one has been done yesterday. Despite of an apparently clear sky on the picture we actually had troubles with clouds yesterday. We finally had to go up to Roque Nublo (Center of Gran Canaria). The sky was clear there and we enjoyed a very good astronomy observation.



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