MOST RECENT
Observatory 2.0 – Grab some mount data
In an astrophotography rig, the mount is the center of attention. It is the clock upon which the telescope sits, like a big hour hand. Since I have a drift problem, I […]
Observatory 2.0 – And the build continues
Now that I’ve taken a little victory lap, it’s time to get the rig tuned up a bit. I have some photos in the pipeline, more half-processed “proof of concept” shots. You […]
Trixie out, Pumpkin in
Between the higher magnification of the new camera, and the fairly untested nature of Trixie, I was beside myself trying to get things to behave properly. I finally decided to give myself […]
More magnification = more problems
The T3i has been a mixed blessing for the rig. On the one hand, it’s nice to get rid of the bulb cable, which has added an extra layer of complexity to […]
A change at QB for Hilltop Observatory
Well, it happened again. The dawn of a new era in Hilltop Observatory. Today, the new imaging camera showed up in the mail. I bought it from Renaud Venne Landry, one of […]
Astro knowledge / General / Techniques
Stumbling towards plate solving
I planned to solve all the images I’d shot so far, so that I have good data about where the telescope has ben drifting about. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize this until halfway […]
Alas, mostly cloudy.
Third night in a row in the observatory — it was pretty cloudy tonight. Suckerholes all night and all over. I had a visitor — my neighbor has been showing an interest […]
Deep Sky / Long Exposure Photography
Another beautiful night.
I stayed up way too late on First Light night, but the sky was clear again the next night, so out I went. I did a little testing to start the evening, […]
First Light, a deeper look
Part of the reason that it’s taken so long to get to First Light is that I am actively knocking the rust off of my astronomy workflow. There are so many little […]
Deep Sky / Long Exposure Photography
Final First Light photo
I finally got through processing all the images from the first few nights of shooting. The workflow is very slow, and I am using unfamiliar tools, but it’s starting to come back. […]
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.