This site charts our progress as we explore different ways of imaging the night sky.  Tom has been a keen astronomer for many years, Jools enjoys photography and image processing - astrophotography was bound to happen.  Add the squirrel-like acquisition talents of Pete and a good measure of insanity from all three and this is what you get.

The majority of our astronomy and imaging is done using SC1 and SC3 long exposure modified toucam webcams, Artemis CCD cameras and standard reflecting telescopes in Curdridge, Southampton, UK. We are keen members of the QCUAIG yahoo group. Our work does not produce regular entries into Astronony picture of the day or rival the Hubble Space Telescope, but is sometimes quite unusual!

In the world of unconventional webcam imaging, its nice to hunt down unconventional targets for our webcams. Some of my more obscure observing projects: M31 Andromeda Galaxy globular and open clusters Pease 1 PN inside M15 Einstein's Cross (and no, I haven't got it yet!) Quasar redshift measurement Rosetta Spacecraft Flyby Faint Jovian Moons: Himalia, Elara, Pasiphae

Some of my best images we have taken with our telescopes and webcams: M57 - The Ring Nebula LRGB M27 - The Dumbell Nebula LRGB M16 - The Eagle Nebula M64 - The Black Eye Galaxy M87 - Bode's Nebula LRGB M1 - The Crab Nebula

At The Curdridge Observatory we 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 iss usually much 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.
• Computer controlled Motorised Guide Scope Mount and other autoguiding ideas. Also includes some program code for parallel LPT ports.
• Time Spent with the Artemis CCD Camera.

Any problems, questions, please email me at the following... Tom