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Astrophotography & DIY astronomy at the Curdridge Telescope Observatory

Welcome to The Curdridge Observatory.The majority of our astronomy and narrowband astrophotography imaging is done using CCD cameras and reflecting Skywatcher telescopes in Curdridge, Southampton, UK. Our work does not produce regular entries into Astronomy Picture of the Day or rival the Hubble Space Telescope, but is sometimes quite unusual! We try and make an effort to image more obscure targets, especially narrowband imaging of dim objects from the Catalog. We also enjoy the DIY aspects of astronomy and much prefer to build our own solutions utilising techniques such as a mini-lathe and home anodising for extra satisfaction

I have some strong views on astronomical equipment. We dislike the current mind set found in some amateur astronomers of spending to solve problems. Whilst we accept that some astronomy equipment must be purchased, we will only take this course when it becomes impossible to devise a solution on our own. DIY homemade astronomy kit gives a much better satisfaction per astrophotograph. And it is cheaper. Time spent solving a problem properly is time well spent. Going for a quick retail fix rarely works, it is always better to understand the problem properly.

Astronomy software is just as important has the hardware these days. We do astronomy software programming including ASCOM drivers, arduino microcontrollers and third party scripting.

DIY Astronomy & Equipment Arduino

DIY telescope mount
Arduino Telescope control
Arduino Observatory Dome
Lathes and telescopes
Fluxgate Magnetometer
Weather Station

DIY Home aluminium anodising

Homemade DIY telescope focuser & telescope filter wheel

Webcam Mods Summary

Webcam Amp Off Mods

Webcam Raw mode

Recent Images


Sharpless Catalogue Supernova remnants 2011/12 All images
Astronomy Articles & News

Astronomy Software Services Video Tutorials

Astrophotography Blog

Notes on Autoguiding EQ Mounts

Counting Photons

Accountant Tutorial

Webcam & CCD Spectroscopy

Astronomy Today


G182.4+4.3 Supernova Remnant
G182.4+4.3 Supernova Remnant
G156.2+5.7 Supernova Remnant
G156.2+5.7 Supernova Remnant
IC443 Jellyfish Nebula SH-248
IC443 Jellyfish Nebula SH-248
CTA1 G119.5+10.2 Supernova Remnant
CTA1 G119.5+10.2 Supernova Remnant
SH-284 Sharpless 284, Do25, Do 23
SH-284 Sharpless 284, Do25, Do 23
SH-232 Sharpless sh-232, sh-231, sh-233, sh-235
SH-232 Sharpless sh-232, sh-231, sh-233, sh-235
SH2-217 Sharpless 217
SH2-217 Sharpless 217
NGC2174 Monkey Head Nebula, Sharpless 252, Sh2-252
NGC2174 Monkey Head Nebula, Sharpless 252, Sh2-252
SH2-282 Sharpless 282 Sh-282 Sh2-282
SH2-282 Sharpless 282 Sh-282 Sh2-282
NGC1491 Sharpless Sh2-206
NGC1491 Sharpless Sh2-206
HDW3 Hartl-Dengel-Weinberger 3 PN G149.4-09.2
HDW3 Hartl-Dengel-Weinberger 3 PN G149.4-09.2
SH-263 Sharpless 263
SH-263 Sharpless 263
IC410 Sharpless 236, NGC1893
IC410 Sharpless 236, NGC1893
SH-198 Sharpless 198, Soul Nebula, IC1848
SH-198 Sharpless 198, Soul Nebula, IC1848
SH2-212 Sharpless 212, NGC 1624
SH2-212 Sharpless 212, NGC 1624
B33 Horsehead Nebula
B33 Horsehead Nebula
SH2-210 Sharpless 210
SH2-210 Sharpless 210
SH2-200 Sharpless 200
SH2-200 Sharpless 200
IC63 IC59 gamma Cas nebula
IC63 IC59 gamma Cas nebula
SH2-187 Sharpless 187
SH2-187 Sharpless 187
NGC281 IC11, Sharpless Sh2-184, Pacman Nebula
NGC281 IC11, Sharpless Sh2-184, Pacman Nebula
SH2-176 Sharpless 176
SH2-176 Sharpless 176
NGC281 IC11, Sharpless Sh2-184, Pacman Nebula
NGC281 IC11, Sharpless Sh2-184, Pacman Nebula
SH2-173 SH2-173 Phantom of the Opera LBN 593
SH2-173 SH2-173 Phantom of the Opera LBN 593
SH2-69 Sharpless 69, LBN 99
SH2-69 Sharpless 69, LBN 99
SH2-155 Cave Nebuka, Caldwell 9
SH2-155 Cave Nebuka, Caldwell 9
NGC7635 Bubble nebula Sh2-162
NGC7635 Bubble nebula    Sh2-162
SH2-140 Sharpless 140
SH2-140 Sharpless 140
SH2-101 Sharpless 101 Tulip Nebula
SH2-101 Sharpless 101 Tulip Nebula
NGC6888 Crescent nebula Sh2-105
NGC6888 Crescent nebula Sh2-105
IC1396
IC1396
M51 Whirlpool galaxy
M51 Whirlpool galaxy
SH2-224 Supernova Remnant
SH2-224 Supernova Remnant
NGC7293 Helix nebula
NGC7293 Helix nebula
IC1805 Heart Nebula
IC1805 Heart Nebula
SH2-170 Sharpless 170
SH2-170 Sharpless 170
CTB1 Supernova remnant
CTB1 Supernova remnant
SH2-168 Sharpless HII regions. Sh2-169 and Sh2-168
SH2-168 Sharpless HII regions. Sh2-169 and Sh2-168
NGC7380 Wizard Nebula Sh2-142
NGC7380 Wizard Nebula Sh2-142
PN G75.5+1 Soap Bubble Nebula
PN G75.5+1 Soap Bubble Nebula
IC5146 Cocoon Nebula, Caldwell 19, Sh 2-125
IC5146 Cocoon Nebula, Caldwell 19, Sh 2-125
M16 Eagle nebula NGC 6611 sh2-49
M16 Eagle nebula NGC 6611 sh2-49



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