I used to own a Fender Strat back in the mid seventies (see pics below), but I sold it to fund a 1000-watt PA system for one of the bands I was in :-( ... those were the days.
Friday, July 17, 2009
OT; New guitar.
I bought a new guitar today. A re-issue of a 1950's Fender Stratocaster.
I used to own a Fender Strat back in the mid seventies (see pics below), but I sold it to fund a 1000-watt PA system for one of the bands I was in :-( ... those were the days.
I used to own a Fender Strat back in the mid seventies (see pics below), but I sold it to fund a 1000-watt PA system for one of the bands I was in :-( ... those were the days.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
New CGE setup and align.
I'd just like to say a few words about the setup and aligning of my new CGE mount.
First I did a two star align with the recommended stars from the hand controller, then to correct the cone error I used three stars again from the HC.
I then did a polar align using the star Navi in Cassiopeia, with the All-Star Polar Alignment. I then proceeded to adjust the mount with the allan key and that was that, easy.
I then went to Jupiter, low on the horizon, and bingo it was almost dead centre.
After which, I thought that I would have a go at imaging, and guess what? there is almost no drift at all, except for maybe a bit of PEC.
I'm well pleased:-) I can leave the planet on the chip now without having to do those annoying tweaks and adjustments all the time.
All I need now is a clear night to sought the PEC out with Celestrons 'PEC tool' and I should be all set.
Just a quick note; I upgraded the Hand conrollers software earlier today to revision 4.16. This allows for all star polar align without having to re-align afterwards, neat eh?
BTW. I found out (thanks to the guys at CN :-) ) that the CGE manual is not up to date with 4.16 and you'll need to download the CGEM manual for instructions on this revision.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Published; Two for the price of One.
I have two images in this months (August) "Astronomy Now" magazine.
One of Jupiter and the other is of Saturn taken a while back, in an article about the Toucam Pro.
You'll have to excuse the rubbish scans, but my scanner is rubbish.
One of Jupiter and the other is of Saturn taken a while back, in an article about the Toucam Pro.
You'll have to excuse the rubbish scans, but my scanner is rubbish.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Nearly there... the new setup in situ.
As a compromise for the time being, I decided to set-up the new CGE mount inside my observatory using the tripod.
I chopped my existing pier off, leaving enough to act as a key for a new pier later on. I measured it all out and made some holes in the floor. I then placed concrete blocks under the holes for the legs to sit on. What a game that was phew!
It seems quite solid though, he mount weighs a ton, so its not going anywhere.
I then fastened one of the the tripod struts to the old pier stump with some large jubilee clips to stabilize it.
It's quite frightening to sit under those weights when the scope is on the other side. If one of those fell off and hit you, you're dead!
Just need clear night now to polar align etc.
BTW. these strange pics (first two that is) were taken with my Canon 50D using a 18mm lens and mosaiced/bent in CS4. Hence the strange fish eye appearance. See, don't need expensive wide-angle lenses, just very expensive software ;-)
I chopped my existing pier off, leaving enough to act as a key for a new pier later on. I measured it all out and made some holes in the floor. I then placed concrete blocks under the holes for the legs to sit on. What a game that was phew!
It seems quite solid though, he mount weighs a ton, so its not going anywhere.
I then fastened one of the the tripod struts to the old pier stump with some large jubilee clips to stabilize it.
It's quite frightening to sit under those weights when the scope is on the other side. If one of those fell off and hit you, you're dead!
Just need clear night now to polar align etc.
BTW. these strange pics (first two that is) were taken with my Canon 50D using a 18mm lens and mosaiced/bent in CS4. Hence the strange fish eye appearance. See, don't need expensive wide-angle lenses, just very expensive software ;-)
Monday, July 06, 2009
Losmandy Dovetail.
Finally got my dovetail. Which I bought from OPT. No fault of theirs, really good service.
Cost me a small fortune in the end with import duty and postage :-(
Chunky old piece of metal (alloy) though. Its also quite tricky to mount on the scope as well. The dovetail has a very fine tolerance, and because of that, you have to offer the scope into the saddle from the bottom and slide it up!
I wonder what it's like to do this with a 14" :-0
I'll find out one day. I just need to re-mortgage my house, carry on working until I'm 75 and sell some of the grandchildren ;-)
Oh! BTW, I had to buy another 25lb weight to get balance as well.
Mass & inertia, I'm beginning to understand the meaning of these words now.
Cost me a small fortune in the end with import duty and postage :-(
Chunky old piece of metal (alloy) though. Its also quite tricky to mount on the scope as well. The dovetail has a very fine tolerance, and because of that, you have to offer the scope into the saddle from the bottom and slide it up!
I wonder what it's like to do this with a 14" :-0
I'll find out one day. I just need to re-mortgage my house, carry on working until I'm 75 and sell some of the grandchildren ;-)
Oh! BTW, I had to buy another 25lb weight to get balance as well.
Mass & inertia, I'm beginning to understand the meaning of these words now.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Friday, July 03, 2009
LRO's First Moon Images.
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has transmitted its first images since reaching the moon on June 23. The spacecraft's two cameras, collectively known as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, or LROC, were activated June 30. The cameras are working well and have returned images of a region in the lunar highlands south of Mare Nubium (Sea of Clouds).
Credit NASA.
Credit NASA.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Jupiter & Io 28th June 2009
The magnification (3 x TV Barlow) was pushing it a bit much for this image. It's a bit washed out ;-)
Below; taken with 2.5 x TV Powermate, as you can see the seeing was off and on.
Below; taken with 2.5 x TV Powermate, as you can see the seeing was off and on.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Major upgrade - Phase 3.1 - ADM guide rail & rings.
Bought an ADM guide rail and rings system for my Sky-90 to fit on the C9.25.
I can use this as a guider for the C9.25 or a wide field imager with the C9.25 guiding. Bloody dear, but good quality.
All I need now is a Dovetail to fit the CGE, which is driving me nuts because I can't get one anywhere. I even tried to purchase one direct from ADM, but even they've run out of stock. Well they have some, but they haven't been anodised yet, so they'll be a delay of a couple of weeks. Grrrr... so frustrating.
If anyone out there has one please email!!
I can use this as a guider for the C9.25 or a wide field imager with the C9.25 guiding. Bloody dear, but good quality.
All I need now is a Dovetail to fit the CGE, which is driving me nuts because I can't get one anywhere. I even tried to purchase one direct from ADM, but even they've run out of stock. Well they have some, but they haven't been anodised yet, so they'll be a delay of a couple of weeks. Grrrr... so frustrating.
If anyone out there has one please email!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Major upgrade - Phase Three - New CGE mount.
Well I've done it, I've finally bought a new mount. I had in mind to buy the CGE-Pro but I chickened out in the end. Too much money, too big and too heavy.
So I've opted for the CGE. Even though it may be phased out in the coming years, there's enough of them around for support purposes.
It's bloody huge as well compared to my old AS-GT, and I used to think that the tripod on that was big! this seems double the size.
Big old chunk of metal.
All I need now is a dovetail plate for my C9.25 and a guide rail and ring for my Takahashi.
So I've opted for the CGE. Even though it may be phased out in the coming years, there's enough of them around for support purposes.
It's bloody huge as well compared to my old AS-GT, and I used to think that the tripod on that was big! this seems double the size.
Big old chunk of metal.
All I need now is a dovetail plate for my C9.25 and a guide rail and ring for my Takahashi.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Large Binocular Telescope's 111 Mega pixel camera.
A researcher's gloved hands hold a delicate sensor with 111 million light-sensing pixels in a dust- and static-free room at the University of Arizona's Imaging Technology Laboratory. It cost $150,000 and required months to manufacture. Two of these sensors will be installed in one of the Large Binocular Telescope's cameras.
Credit NG
M27 20th June 2009
I went out with my Takahashi the other night to do a test of the new focal reducer.
Here is M27, not really a very good subject for a wide field scope, but there are a lot of stars in that area.
This is 19 x 20sec frames @ 800ISO, darks and bias applied, but no flats. I needed a lot more but it clouded over :-(
The focal reducer has cured the star smearing almost, I think the focus could have been a tad better though.
Here is M27, not really a very good subject for a wide field scope, but there are a lot of stars in that area.
This is 19 x 20sec frames @ 800ISO, darks and bias applied, but no flats. I needed a lot more but it clouded over :-(
The focal reducer has cured the star smearing almost, I think the focus could have been a tad better though.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Animation of my observatory using Google SketchUp.
Here's an animation of my observatory that I've just made using Google SketchUp.
I'm in the process of making an extension for it and SketchUp is a very quick and easy way to visualise some ideas. New mount don't ya know.
The nice thing about the roof is that you can keep one side virtually shut whilst observing from the other, so in the winter you can keep nice and warm.
The roof is held on by 8 hook and eyelets, but screwed down during very stormy weather!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
More Noctilucent clouds - 19th June 2009.
On the way to another Jupiter session... Bingo! the Moon Mars and Venus all in one shot.
Hehe... CS4 and autostitch had fun putting this one together ;-)
Hehe... CS4 and autostitch had fun putting this one together ;-)
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Blast from the past.. well, last year.
Messing about with processing, so I thought I'd do my best Saturn from last year again.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The Sun 13th June 2009
Taken with Baader Solar film and a Baader 35nm Ha 1.25 inch filter. Showing sunspot 1020 just to the right edge.
Baader Solar film (white light).
Partial mosaic, it clouded over.
Close up, 2.5 TV Powermate.
BTW I think that thing towards the top left is a dust mote.
Baader Solar film (white light).
Partial mosaic, it clouded over.
Close up, 2.5 TV Powermate.
BTW I think that thing towards the top left is a dust mote.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Jupiter 12th June 2009
Not very good seeing in between the clouds this morning. They said it wouldn't be cloudy!
Below you can just about see Io left of center.
Below you can just about see Io left of center.
Takahashi - Flattener/Reducer
I bought a flattener/reducer for the Tak today.
The Sky-90 is usable for visual without it... just, but for imaging you've gotta have one. Turns the scope into an f/4.5.
Great service from Green-Witch and Lee :-)
BTW, you can't use a Meade f/6.3 reducer on these scopes, it doesn't work, I've tried it.
The Sky-90 is usable for visual without it... just, but for imaging you've gotta have one. Turns the scope into an f/4.5.
Great service from Green-Witch and Lee :-)
Below are the results from a very quick test that I carried out at lunch-time.
... and with flattener/reducer.
Without flattener/reducer.
... and with flattener/reducer.
BTW, you can't use a Meade f/6.3 reducer on these scopes, it doesn't work, I've tried it.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Mars from 2007 & 2008
Thought I'd have a go at processing some old Mars images.
Go easy on that sharpening!
Go easy on that sharpening!
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