Recent Images
NGC1491, Sh2-206
Sharpless Sh2-223, sh2-224
California NGC1499
NGC7822
CTB1 Remnant
M16 Eagle
IC 1396
Sharpless SH 129
M57 - Ring Neb
NGC7000
M51 Whirlpool
M106 Galaxy
M81 Ha
M82 Ha
B33 Horsehead
old astro images

Equipment and Method
ATM with a lathe
NEW Amp Off Mods
Webcam Mods Summary
Webcam Spectroscopy
Home Anodising

Astrophotography Blog

Articles
Accountant Tutorial
Extra-terrestrials
Astronomy Weather
Rough Guide to Astronomy
Telescope Buying Advice
Astronomical Annoyances

Download Constellations

Astrophotography images at the Curdridge Telescope Astronomy Observatory

Welcome to The Curdridge Observatory.The majority of our astronomy and astrophotography imaging is done using SC1 and SC3 long exposure modified toucam webcams, Artemis CCD cameras and standard reflecting 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 also enjoy the DIY aspects of astronomy and much prefer to build our own solultions to problems using methods like a mini-lathe and home anodising to save money.

DIY HOME ANODISING LINK

LATHES AND TELESCOPES LINK

WEBCAM AMP OFF - DIY GUIDE

Homemade DIY telescope Mount Link

Arduino projects

Latest Additions: Current Imaging Setup.... Homemade DIY dovetail bar.... Homemade DIY focuser.... Homemade DIY filter wheel.... Home Anodising for my telescope parts....
The state of astronomy in the mind of the modern public.... Homemade DIY telescope parts with a 7x12 mini lathe
Notes on Autoguiding EQ Mounts - How I autoguide my Meade LXD55 with a webcam and Guidedog

I have some strong views on astronomical equipment. We dislike the current mindset found in some amatuer astronomers of "Throwing Money" at a problem. See my pet hates. Whilst we accept that some things must be purchased, we will only take this course when it becomes impossible to devise a solution on our own. Homemade 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. We like to learn things for ourselves eg Anodizing.Please check out the equipment section or follow the highlights below: A beginners guide to using a 7x12 mini-lathe site Notes on Autoguiding EQ Mounts - - How I autoguide my Meade LXD55 with a webcam and Guidedog Homemade DIY telescope parts with a mini lathe Direct Bias Amp Off Modification - long exposure modifcation webcams for astronomy with NO amp glow Autoguiding with a Meade LXD55 mount with a webcam. Computer controlled Motorised Guide Scope Mount and other webcam astronomy autoguiding ideas. Also includes some program code for parallel LPT ports. Time Spent with the Artemis CCD Camera.

We have a few techniques to share:

Best Artemis images:

Some of my best images we have taken with our telescopes and webcams:

In the world of unconventional webcam imaging, its nice to hunt down unconventional targets for our webcams. Some of my more obscure observing projects:

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