Photographer: Christian Obermeier

Nordic landscapes and northern lights – 12

In contrast to its infrared counterpart, the scene is much more evenly lit in full spectrum. The water reflection is particularly interesting, as it would be expected to see higher reflection in the visible spectrum – and indeed, even the colour on the water surface seems to be a bit more green (and therefore more […]

Nordic landscapes and northern lights – 14

The last night of northern lights had a particularly eerie feeling to it, as the aurora was quite faint but very active. The infrared sky emission made itself known again, as well. As before, there is a remarkable difference in water reflections between full spectrum and infrared.

Nordic landscapes and northern lights – 15

Here, full spectrum truly shows what firework we could see if our eyes had infrared capabilities as well. The sky has a purple taint due to the infrared sky emissions and the horizon again shifts colours due to visible light absorption.

Nordic landscapes and northern lights – 16

On the last full day, Norway said goodbye with a particularly scenic sun setting above the coastal mountains. I couldn’t be happier with what we have seen and experienced on that voyage.

Nordic landscapes and northern lights – 17

I couldn’t be happier with what we have seen and experienced on that voyage and, if times change and travel becomes more free again, I would love to return.

Historic Fraunhofer refractor of USM

The old observatory of the Universitätssternwarte München in Bogenhausen and its Fraunhofer refractor used to be one of the most modern of its time. However, more than a century has passed and it is now under monument protection. It provides a very nice background for our new office building!

Infrared Isar

The first color infrared photo I ever took with an ancient Sony F717 in night mode, showing boats docked at the Isar river close to the city of Landshut.

Roadtrip in Texas

After a week-long observing run in Texas, having collected data in sufficient amounts to keep ourselves busy until next year, we enjoyed the scenic route back to the airport, the road leading up into the magnificient mountain pass below the clouds.

Ulmer Mnster

One of my passions is infrared photography of churches in Europe, gothic churches in particular. The Ulmer Münster has the highest church tower in the world and infrared gives it a rather menacing feeling.

Rain in the alps

With autumn approaching, the stormy season has begun on Mt. Wendelstein where I work as an astrophysicist. Infrared is able to show the structure of the incoming rainclouds with almost no haze, making it look all the more threatening.

Lunar eclipse

While solar eclipses are a class of their own, lunar eclipses are exciting events as well. During last summer, Europe witnessed the longest lunar eclipse of the century and we observed it on Mt. Wendelstein. Right after the main event ended, I used infrared to decrease the contrast between the bright and dark regions and […]

A sea of clouds in the night

Full moon is a good time to attempt night-time infrared photography. This night, while working on Mt. Wendelstein, I was still covered in clouds with only very short moments of clear sight. While I couldn’t observe due to the high humidity, taking photos that night was rewarding enough.