Category: Observing Reports
General / Maintenance / Observing Reports
Astro maintenance — work to be done
While I was putting the dust cover back on the scope this morning, I accidentally bumped Pumpkin out of focus. Since it’s such a pain to focus through the Ha filter, and […]
Long Exposure Photography / Observing Reports
In search of more Cygnus nebulosity — Sh2-115, 116, and 112
It was cloudy on Saturday night, but Sunday night I decided to try out another run at the Cygnus Milky Way. I have a decently large target list of nebulae that are […]
Maintenance / Observing Reports
The Gizmo — I love it when a plan comes together
I deployed the new Gizmo in anger for the first time last night, pot controlling the exposure length, hooked up to the Gemini ST-4 port, hooked up to the Canon, LCD and […]
Deep Sky / Long Exposure Photography / Maintenance / Observing Reports
…when you're making other plans
As part of my periodic error testing on the mount, I have been gathering tracking data during my recent photo runs. I suppose it’s more accurate to say that I have been […]
IDAS LPS is a good thing
I’m testing out the new C9.25 tonight. Last night, I’m writing off as a “configuration” night. The sky is a little cloudy tonight, high thin clouds that serve to brighten up an […]
S&T article – *way* deep and *way* widefield image
There’s an article by diCicco and Walker in the April 2009 S&T that’s worth checking out online. It’s a 100megapixel image of the area bordered by Canis Major, Auriga, Monoceros, and Eridanus. […]
Observing Reports / Solar System Photography
A rare clear night
This is the second clear night I’ve had since Valentine’s Day. It was clear all night, but obviously it wasn’t really a night for deep sky photography. 🙂 I used the time […]
Astro knowledge / Observing Reports
Re: C9.25 first light
A, Once and for all, we are talking about two *different* parts of the sky. You are referring to: The Trapezium, Theta Orionis RA: 5h 35m 17s Dec: -5 23′ 27” http://www.astropix.com/HTML/B_WINTER/TRAPEZ.HTM […]
Re: No Plans Yet
The natives are all very restless down here; haven’t seen the sun in 3 weeks. Virgins are being sacrificed.
Re: No Plans Yet
I am a little concerned about the recent cloud cover — last night, I saw stars for the first time in 3 weeks. I think it’s supposed to be clear again tonight, […]
RECENT UPDATE
Polar Alignment Calculations
Here’s a page that derives Polar Alignment Calculations. (update 5/2020: the original site is gone, so I found the text on Wayback and am inserting it below. This is by the original […]
Gear / Observatory / Telescope
Special Guest Star takes the mount at Hilltop O
The Astro Jedi needed somewhere to store his light sab—- I mean, bucket, and I was only too happy to accommodate him. I have decided that I need to come to a […]
General / Maintenance / Observatory
Dome shutter is motorized again!
I finally decided to bite the bullet and fix the shutter motor. Things went sideways last winter, and I’ve been opening the shutter manually (and tying it shut with rope, so we […]
Trixie 2017 – tube mods
I finally got around to cutting the MTA-UTA tubes to length; the only eyepiece that would come to focus with the focuser spacer in place is the Televue 55mm Plossl. If I […]
MOST COMMENTED
Observatory
Observatory 2.0 – Time has come today!
General / Maintenance
First Light, a deeper look
Mount / Observatory / Telescope
Observatory 2.0 – Result!
Observatory
Observatory 2.0 – The Pier goes in
Gear / General / Maintenance
Martin Farmer Wormblock installation notes
Deep Sky / Long Exposure Photography
NGC2244, The Rosette Nebula
Deep Sky / Long Exposure Photography
Another beautiful night.