What is WebCam Astronomy?

As the question probably suggests, WebCam Astronomy is capturing images of the sky using a web camera.  A recent post to one of the groups I'm a member of has several samples of such work.  In this case the results are all the more interesting because the images taken were done with a telescope that does not track the sky.

Many of you may be aware that most pictures of the night sky are taken with long exposures.  If you know what, you may also be aware that the sky doesn't hold still for the camera - so telescopes that follow the sky are generally used.

In this particular case, the gentleman that took the images did so with a telescope that has no motors, no controls other than focus, and all around as basic a telescope as there is.  This, reprinted with permission, is that image:

Photo Credits: John B. Sandlin, copyright (c) 2010-10-15

If this worked correctly, you can click the image to see it full sized.  This image was taken with a basic, and apparently old, web camera.

If you're really paying attention, that is Jupiter and a few of its moons.  Based on the name of the file, I'm assuming the image was taken on October 5, 2010 at 3:23 AM (OK, I asked - that is the time in Coordinated Universal Time).

I look forward to seeing more such images.