I was joined by Bruce Grim and Roger Butz on the SPOC 32" scope Thursday night for the first trials with the high-def camcorder connected to the scope. The Orion bracket proved adequate. I may augment it a bit if time permits, but it will work as-is. The seeing was terrible and we were forced to use the scope at it's lowest power, about 180x, with the camera in afocal mode and using my UO 55mm Limited-Editon Plossl, but at that power the views were at least aesthetically satisfying. This is much too low for the LCROSS event; successfully imaging the debris cloud is very much dependant on good seeing at the time of impact. Even a visual sighting would be difficult in seeing such as we had Thursday night. A higher moon will help, as will an early-morning impact time. Panning the scope and fine-adjusting the FOV was simple and intuitive using the hand paddle while watching a 7" flat panel monitor set-up next to the keyboard and computer monitor at the operators station. The 3" monitor on the camcorder itself can also be used. I recorded several test-pans, touring the terminator and other interesting features on the lunar surface. It was noted that if we play station WWV while imaging, we can have precise timings for all recorded events since the camcorder records a stereo audio track as well. Comments by observers will also be recorded. I have a remote mic that plugs-into the camcorder if needed, for better placement than the internal mic on the camcorder. The telescope drive failed before we could image Jupiter or any DSO's, so further tests on fainter and smaller objects must await the repaired drive. Bruce has sent the buggy components in for factory repair. Contact him for detailed info on the problem. There was nothing noted during these tests that preclude imaging the LCROSS debris cloud, but further tests on fainter objects are needed, as well as tests when the atmosphere is steadier. The camcorder sequences are much sharper than the Meade Electronic Eyepiece can provide, plus it is a color chip. The Meade E.E. is monochrome. I will post some stills captured from the video sequences as well as a test video clip in coming days, when I get the time. Many thanks to Bruce and Roger for helping me with this test! I may bring the video equipment to the star party Saturday night the 29th. Bill Kennedy and I will be operating the 32" in star-hopping mode, using the synchronous motor RA drive backup designed and installed by Bruce for just such an occassion. Dec adjustment will be by hand.
Hi Chuck, Glad to hear things went well. I had hoped to help with the test but the online schedule had you not starting until 10 p.m. but when Kurt and I showed up at 10 everyone had already left. So it goes... :) On 29 Aug 2009, at 00:18, Chuck Hards wrote:
It was noted that if we play station WWV while imaging, we can have precise timings for all recorded events since the camcorder records a stereo audio track as well. Comments by observers will also be recorded. I have a remote mic that plugs-into the camcorder if needed, for better placement than the internal mic on the camcorder.
With WWV reception so notoriously unpredictable I'd like to offer the use of my data inserter which puts the exact time (to 5 decimals) as well as the GPS coordinates in the lower left hand corner of the video. Hope to see your camera in action at SPOC tonight. Cheers, patrick
I arrived early so I had some light to set up with, only to find that Bruce and Roger had already opened-up, so I started early. I was planning to stay late but when the drive died, there was no point in continuing and Bruce shut it down. Sorry, in a couple of weeks we'll do it again. On Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 2:11 AM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>wrote:
Glad to hear things went well. I had hoped to help with the test but the online schedule had you not starting until 10 p.m. but when Kurt and I showed up at 10 everyone had already left. So it goes... :)
So, I am guessing the drive is being repaired and that is why the grim is down.
If I was using the grim when the drive died, having Bruce there would be good. I arrived early so I had some light to set up with, only to find that
Bruce and Roger had already opened-up, so I started early. I was planning to stay late but when the drive died, there was no point in continuing and Bruce shut it down.
Sorry, in a couple of weeks we'll do it again.
On Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 2:11 AM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>wrote:
Glad to hear things went well. I had hoped to help with the test but the online schedule had you not starting until 10 p.m. but when Kurt and I showed up at 10 everyone had already left. So it goes... :)
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It was a recurring problem that first appeared several days ago; Bruce was there checking it out on someone else's report. Lucky for me! Assistance is always just a phone call away for you, Erik. Even if nobody in Stansbury was home, I would drive out. On Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 3:55 PM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
So, I am guessing the drive is being repaired and that is why the grim is down.
If I was using the grim when the drive died, having Bruce there would be good.
Chuck
Well, Bruce is really pretty relaxed about his baby, but still I hope I never have a major problem to report to him just the same. Thanks for the assistance offer, I usually schedule time with someone like Roger Butz. I think I do need to get out there a few times this fall. Erik It was a recurring problem that first appeared several days ago; Bruce was
there checking it out on someone else's report. Lucky for me!
Assistance is always just a phone call away for you, Erik. Even if nobody in Stansbury was home, I would drive out.
On Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 3:55 PM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
So, I am guessing the drive is being repaired and that is why the grim is down.
If I was using the grim when the drive died, having Bruce there would be good.
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Tyler, When did you put your remarkable view of M78 & Co. on your web site? I'm wondering if I've missed things -- could you let us know whenever you post anything new? As always, I am in awe. -- Joe PS: I mentioned M78 etc. because that was the latest pic on the site, as far as I know. But I don't remember others either.
Joe, I think that image has been there for a while. You should really take a look at my personal web site, which I maintain more faithfully that the gallery. All my latest stuff is there. I just bought an AP 130 F/6 and I tried it out for the first time last week. I imaged the Iris Nebula, but only had a chance to get luminance data. I combined it with an older color version and posted it on my website. Take a look here: http://www.allred-astro.com/gpage8.html Be sure to click in a few times to see the full resolution version. The AP is truly spectacular. I am now just waiting for the dang smoke to clear out! :( Thanks for your interest. Cheers, Tyler _____________________________________________ -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+tylerallred=earthlink.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+tylerallred=earthlink.net@mailman.xmission.co m] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 8:15 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Question for Tyler Tyler, When did you put your remarkable view of M78 & Co. on your web site? I'm wondering if I've missed things -- could you let us know whenever you post anything new? As always, I am in awe. -- Joe PS: I mentioned M78 etc. because that was the latest pic on the site, as far as I know. But I don't remember others either. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
WOW!!, the soap bubble and crescent nebula is phenomenal!! I mean, they are all nice, but that one is amazing! Jo Quoting Tyler Allred <tylerallred@earthlink.net>:
Joe, I think that image has been there for a while. You should really take a look at my personal web site, which I maintain more faithfully that the gallery. All my latest stuff is there.
I just bought an AP 130 F/6 and I tried it out for the first time last week. I imaged the Iris Nebula, but only had a chance to get luminance data. I combined it with an older color version and posted it on my website. Take a look here:
http://www.allred-astro.com/gpage8.html
Be sure to click in a few times to see the full resolution version. The AP is truly spectacular. I am now just waiting for the dang smoke to clear out! :(
Thanks for your interest. Cheers, Tyler
_____________________________________________ -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+tylerallred=earthlink.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+tylerallred=earthlink.net@mailman.xmission.co m] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 8:15 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Question for Tyler
Tyler, When did you put your remarkable view of M78 & Co. on your web site? I'm wondering if I've missed things -- could you let us know whenever you post anything new? As always, I am in awe. -- Joe PS: I mentioned M78 etc. because that was the latest pic on the site, as far as I know. But I don't remember others either.
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That is just breathtaking! It's truly Hubble-esque. I'm stunned with the subtlety of the tones and color, and the amazing, tiny stars over such a wide field. Just wonderful, with spot-on tracking. Congrats, Tyler. You should send it to a magazine. Best wishes, Joe --- On Mon, 8/31/09, Tyler Allred <tylerallred@earthlink.net> wrote: From: Tyler Allred <tylerallred@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Question for Tyler To: "'Utah Astronomy'" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Monday, August 31, 2009, 6:37 AM Joe, I think that image has been there for a while. You should really take a look at my personal web site, which I maintain more faithfully that the gallery. All my latest stuff is there. I just bought an AP 130 F/6 and I tried it out for the first time last week. I imaged the Iris Nebula, but only had a chance to get luminance data. I combined it with an older color version and posted it on my website. Take a look here: http://www.allred-astro.com/gpage8.html Be sure to click in a few times to see the full resolution version. The AP is truly spectacular. I am now just waiting for the dang smoke to clear out! :( Thanks for your interest. Cheers, Tyler _____________________________________________ -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+tylerallred=earthlink.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+tylerallred=earthlink.net@mailman.xmission.co m] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 8:15 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Question for Tyler Tyler, When did you put your remarkable view of M78 & Co. on your web site? I'm wondering if I've missed things -- could you let us know whenever you post anything new? As always, I am in awe. -- Joe PS: I mentioned M78 etc. because that was the latest pic on the site, as far as I know. But I don't remember others either. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Last night was frustrating. The star party probably should have been cancelled on grounds of cloud cover alone. It was a sucker-hole evening. Aiming the 32" manually is a chore, especially overhead. The easiest way was using the laser, but there's still a bit of sweeping around unless you get very lucky the first time. Thanks to Bill Kennedy for opening and closing up, I was just beat from burning the candle at both ends and left a bit early. With the telescope in limp mode, video experiments would have been a lot of work, and the cloud cover made them impossible. I hope you get better seeing that we've had lately; it should improve in September. On Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 8:02 PM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
I think I do need to get out there a few times this fall.
Aiming the 32" manually must violate some sort of labor law. Did it track once it was aimed?
Last night was frustrating. The star party probably should have been
cancelled on grounds of cloud cover alone. It was a sucker-hole evening.
Aiming the 32" manually is a chore, especially overhead. The easiest way was using the laser, but there's still a bit of sweeping around unless you get very lucky the first time. Thanks to Bill Kennedy for opening and closing up, I was just beat from burning the candle at both ends and left a bit early. With the telescope in limp mode, video experiments would have been a lot of work, and the cloud cover made them impossible.
I hope you get better seeing that we've had lately; it should improve in September.
On Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 8:02 PM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
I think I do need to get out there a few times this fall.
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Erik, tracking was dead-on for the relatively short periods we were on any given target. The synchronous motor RA drive worked very well. Kudos to Bruce for having the foresight to install it as a backup. One thing I noticed was that the friction on both axes was not equal. So sometimes you got motion that you weren't trying to get. No big deal once we got the hang of it. On Sun, Aug 30, 2009 at 12:01 PM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
Aiming the 32" manually must violate some sort of labor law. Did it track once it was aimed?
I"d like to see the data inserter before I commit, but if it works with my setup, its a no-brainer. Tonight's star party is looking less likely by the hour. On Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 2:11 AM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>wrote:
With WWV reception so notoriously unpredictable I'd like to offer the use of my data inserter which puts the exact time (to 5 decimals) as well as the GPS coordinates in the lower left hand corner of the video.
Hope to see your camera in action at SPOC tonight.
Hi chuck, Here's a quick and dirty movie of part of an occultation I shot the other night using the inserter. The Moon pretty well washes out the data but you should still be able to get the idea. And on impact morning we could rotate the camera or move the scope so that the Moon is not behind the inserted data. http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/Movie.mp4 patrick On 29 Aug 2009, at 14:58, Chuck Hards wrote:
I"d like to see the data inserter before I commit, but if it works with my setup, its a no-brainer.
Tonight's star party is looking less likely by the hour.
On Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 2:11 AM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com
wrote:
With WWV reception so notoriously unpredictable I'd like to offer the use of my data inserter which puts the exact time (to 5 decimals) as well as the GPS coordinates in the lower left hand corner of the video.
participants (6)
-
Chuck Hards -
erikhansen＠TheBlueZone.net -
Joe Bauman -
Josephine Grahn -
Patrick Wiggins -
Tyler Allred