Hawaii Observatories Expedition - Picture
Since I can't send attached pictures on the list-serve, Patrick has posted the Faulkes Scope picture that Rob took a few nights ago at the following: http://utahastro.info/temp/FAULKESSCOPE.JPG and http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/FAULKESSCOPE.JPG Also, Rob writes: *The Faulkes scope is equipped w/ CCD cams and not an eyepiece like in the photo. This was a CHANCE occurrence and not the norm. It's a big problem for them to do this, everyone has to be out of the dome area for safety and there is no control in the dome to accurately point/correct the aim of the scope. We were there at the right time. The best scopes are at Mauna Kea, Haleakala was Hawaii's 1st observatory site, Gerard Kuiper noticed Mauna Kea above the clouds when he was researching Haleakala and Haleakala was in cloud. either way, THIS state is great and is fun and a joy to be in. There is something for everyone and Maui has the best beaches!!!!!!! Oahu is touristy but FUN, too crowded for me though. - Rob -A
Hi Ann In that photo I was looking at M57 which was about 1/2 of the view in the eyepiece, we could see the central nebulosity and the central star w/ averted vision. I didn't see any color though. We moved the scope to Jupiter also but that was a bit like looking into the sun and it wasn't even centered in the EP. The Faulkes is not set up for eyepiece use or fine positioning from inside the dome. We just lucked out while they were doing some adjustments readying the scope for new CCD cameras. The visiting staff from the Faulkes always have a good time when they are up working, they come over and look thru our scopes and have a smile when they leave the eyepiece, Friday was a good night, Jupiter w/ Ganymede on the disc edge casting a shadow, excellent banding and festoons visible until the winds picked up around 11PM. Aloha Rob
participants (2)
-
Ann House -
Rob Ratkowski Photography