We suffer a lot of pain in the astro-imaging hobby. Bad luck and tired fingers causes numerous problems. Problems in this business quickly means wasted imaging time. Whilst I like to whinge and complain as much as the next man, I always remember to thank the astronomy gods when I have a good problem free run.
This is a purely personal rant. All astronomers need their egos stroking... however, constructive criticism is infinitely more valuable than a three word compliment....
The old classic Meade LX200 is a fine telescope, but has that one major drawback of any SCT telescope: A fork mount Alt/Az mount. Whilst this is quick and easy for visual observing, it makes decent astrophotography almost impossible. You need some kind of adjustable wedge to allow the scope to be mounted up at a 50 degree (or whatever your latitude) angle.
Because of the mass of the LX200, this needs to be a sturdy bit of engineering. Most commercial SCT telescope wedges fit into two categories. They are either flimsy and floppy and downright dangerous (i.e. useless) or they are well made and prohibitively expensive.
Of course, a homemade wedge can solve both these problems at once, and have some fun. Read the rest of the article to find out more.
Because of the mass of the LX200, this needs to be a sturdy bit of engineering. Most commercial SCT telescope wedges fit into two categories. They are either flimsy and floppy and downright dangerous (i.e. useless) or they are well made and prohibitively expensive.
Of course, a homemade wedge can solve both these problems at once, and have some fun. Read the rest of the article to find out more.
10/08: Where did the astronomer go?
I've not posted in this blog since 2007. Actually, I've not really produced any decent images since late 2007. Only after six months of phaffing about have I started to reach the standards I got to three years ago. For example, I'm quite pleased with my recent pop at the North American Nebula .
So what happened?
So what happened?
We choose to do this, and do the other things,not because they are easy, but because they are hard.
Some types of astrophotography are easier to do than others. Narrowband work is one of the tricker things. Why do we do narrowband astronomy?
Some types of astrophotography are easier to do than others. Narrowband work is one of the tricker things. Why do we do narrowband astronomy?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7016020.stm
Recent annoucements from the labour party conference suggest plans for phasing out traditional lightbulbs by 2011
Recent annoucements from the labour party conference suggest plans for phasing out traditional lightbulbs by 2011
Not exactly an earth shattering revelation.
As the more advanced astrophotographers amongst you will have noticed, we don't stuff our optical tube assemblies with clothes and fill them with water. However, some people in our hobby have a mentality that telescope equipment should be like a washing machine. You bring it home. You install it. You read the instructions, and then it works first time and every time, performing its mundane task without variation.
As the more advanced astrophotographers amongst you will have noticed, we don't stuff our optical tube assemblies with clothes and fill them with water. However, some people in our hobby have a mentality that telescope equipment should be like a washing machine. You bring it home. You install it. You read the instructions, and then it works first time and every time, performing its mundane task without variation.
That first test with the Bubble nebula has come out ok.
You name it - tonight it has taken a chance a break down.
06/09: New toy: Tripod
I felt my new canon 350D DSLR deserved a tripod. Not for astrophotography (well, except for star trails) but for terrestial shots.
What is so fascinating about 80mm APO refractors? In recent years there has been a strong trend for buying 80mm refractors of varying apochromatic-ness. Personally I think it is getting a bit boring...
04/09: Bubble Nebula quickie
Got 4 frames of 20 minutes last night on the Bubble
5th Sept - and another 8 last night!!
5th Sept - and another 8 last night!!
Finally made some more progress on this project. The order of play is to get a conventional off axis guider system working (leaving space for the fast guider plate) and get it mounted and working on th telescope with my Coma Corrector and Artemis 285 using a webcam to guide. The deflector plate and mechanics will be added in once the first stage is proved to work.
The BBC have an intersting article along with some pretty pictures taken by Dr Craig Mackay and the Lucky Imaging team using techniques developed upon ideas usd in the QCUIAG group for many years as the basis for planetary capture using webcams.
BBC News Article on Craig Mackay and the lucky imaging project
BBC News Article on Craig Mackay and the lucky imaging project
There is something particularly attractive about this time of year in the world of astrophotography. After the perseids in mid August, we enter a period where there is sufficent darkness at night to actually get something done. However, there are serveral other features which make this a comfortable and time of year to pursue our hobby of astrophotography
31/08: I don't take flat fields....
There are some astrophotographers who have perfect dust free cameras that have identical sensitivity on every pixel. They have clinically clean filters fresh from a computer chip manufactures clean room. Their telescopes are high value apochromatic refractors with such large illuminated fields that you could hold a night-time sporting evening in the eyepiece holder.
These fortunate astronomers probably don't need to do flat fields.
All other astronomers (Which includes you and me) do need to take flats.
These fortunate astronomers probably don't need to do flat fields.
All other astronomers (Which includes you and me) do need to take flats.
31/08: Mars rovers just keep going
There are a couple of planetry science missions that have become iconic of the skill our spacecraft engiiners can show if they choose. We all know about Voyager, but I think the Mars rovers are fast heading the same way.