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The Dark Art of Collimating !!!! ARGH !!!!!

Okay , well with all this talk about SCA collimators, as lovely as it is I simply couldn't justify spending all that money. I had a look at the Youtube video link that SteveL posted regarding it and well something akin to a penny dropped. As some of you will remember, I made a right dog's dinner of collimating my Cape the last time I tried, using a laser :mad:, requiring me to go swanning off to North Wales in search of Peter Wise and ask him kindly to re-collimate my scope. For obvious reasons
beamish

beamish

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East Midlands Stargazers

26.3.2009

Went to IDAS last night with Rob (Red Dwalf) had a great time. Rob bought along his scope. He showed the members around it and we took go's at viewing Saturn. As normal it was pretty cloudy and very cold. There was three slideshow presentations where various members showed us there images taken that month. Some cracking efforts and nicely presented on a big screen. Overall a good night and look forward to the next one.
Doc

Doc

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East Midlands Stargazers

24.3.2009

Bought one of those headlamps today. Looks pretty good has 4 settings including 2 red LED one. Very bright. Going up to Ilkeston Astronomical Society tomorrow with Rob so hopefully it will be a good night.
Doc

Doc

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East Midlands Stargazers

23.3.2009

A very windy night but did manage a little observing see here. http://stargazerslounge.com/observing-reports/77342-meade-lightbridge-observing-report-23-3-2009-a.html#post1196138
Doc

Doc

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East Midlands Stargazers

20.3.2009

Just spotted the 20.28 ISS fly pass. I've seen it a few times before but this time it was really bright. Glad I've seen it though as the shuttle was docked with the ISS. No luck with stargazing tonight as the house 5 doors down are having a barbeque and have one of those outside security light thats been turned on permanently. Also the sky is a bit lentil soup like.
Doc

Doc

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East Midlands Stargazers

19.3.2009

Wanted to see the ISS tonight but no chance. Loads of clouds as normal. Bought a DV or Firewire lead today. My DV camcorder now acts as a webcam. All I need now is a nosepiece I think it's a "C" mount I need. Tried making sense of Registax. My god it's pretty hard to understand. The idea is to take an AVI of the moon and try using registax to get a good frame fromm it. We will see.
Doc

Doc

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Blog 14845

M101 results

Managed to run from 20:30 until 02:00 last night. I've just processed the data - very pleased, very VERY pleased :) My flexure problems seem to have vanished as well - I think it was the camera/filter wheel shifting slightly in the 2" tube of the refractor. 10 minute subs were possible previously, but I had to throw plenty away :( I wonder how far I can push the exposures now??? Time will tell! I want to try and capture some Ha data tonight if possible. I decided to stop shooting 3 x 100 of
RichieJarvis

RichieJarvis

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Blog 14845

New Toy!

I've been using EQMOD since I got my EQ6 last year - fantastic piece of software. I decided that it was time to get a wireless joystick, previously I've been using my old spare Microsoft Sidewinder - the only problem is that it is huge and doesn't fit in the pocket nicely. To replace it, I brought a Windows Xbox360 controller and the wireless unit to plugin to a PC (tip for you - these come together in one pack - you don't need to pay £30 for an Xbox360 controller AND another £25 for the wirele
RichieJarvis

RichieJarvis

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Blog 14845

Oh the frustration....

Well, my GSO problem still isn't solved. But I am not disheartened. I borrowed a 0.66 FR unit and have married it to my Astro Professional 102 ED, and it seems to be a match made in heaven. Last time I tried a FR, I was using a .66 with a Canon 350D on an LX100R, and the vignetting was terrible :( Still, on the refractor, this combination works very well. The first test of the system was on Monday, very happy: http://deepsky.org.uk/galaxy/m65-m66.shtml Tonight though, I am reaching for
RichieJarvis

RichieJarvis

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Blog 16264

Help - in search of 6 or 8 inch dobsonian refractor!!

Boyfriends birthday coming up and he keeps hinting for a new telescope (namely a dobsonian refractor). He is relatively new to the field and I don't know alot myself - where can I pick one up at a reasonable price, 2nd hand is ok/preferrable. Any help/advice please get in touch!
Andy84

Andy84

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East Midlands Stargazers

16.3.2009

I let my mate in work solder those wires back onto my rotary encoder and I'm glad I did. Apparently it was a PITA. The wires were also broke by the plug, took him 2 hours to do. Anyway working now so well chuffed. Also put some bicycle handle bar grips onto my Handle bars on my dob. Looks good and makes it alot better to use.
Doc

Doc

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East Midlands Stargazers

15.3.2009

23.43 GMT. 36th Launch of Discovery. Space shuttle launch on Nasa TV. My first time watching this live and I must admit I'm enjoying every minute of it. I love this stuff. Fingers crossed for a safe blast off. AWESOME.... LOVED IT.
Doc

Doc

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East Midlands Stargazers

14.3.2009

My scopes outside cooling. Not a cloud in the sky buy it's pretty windy right now. I don't hold out to much for tonight. Not fun observing in a gale. Just looking at the scope sitting outside on the patio and boy does it look good. Can't believe I have one of these. A boyhood dream come true. Off to make a list of possible targets. Typical it's now all cloudy. Arrrghhhh why oh why does this happen.
Doc

Doc

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East Midlands Stargazers

11.3.2009

Full moon tonight ..... At last the supplier for my broken rotary encoder has e-mailed with a schematic drawing of which wires go where. I've access to a soldering iron from work so hopefully, and fingers crossed I'll have a go myself. I'll let you know what happens. Cloudy outside so will be watching Champions league again Man Utd v Inter Milan. 2-0
Doc

Doc

2
East Midlands Stargazers

10.3.2009

Been really busy at work for the past few days so didn't post yesterday. Other then work there was nout to report and I'm sure you don't want to be bored about work. Been outside for a bit tonight, almost a full moon. A bit cloudy though so looking through some breaks in the cloud. Lunar is fantasic tonight. Didn't bother with the laptop outside so don't know which craters I've looked at but been up and down terminator and it's just so detailed and clear. When it is cloudy have bbeen watching sn
Doc

Doc

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East Midlands Stargazers

8.3.2009

What a PITA looked outside at 18.00 lovely and clear, decided to set up my new barn door mount. Put it on it's tripod, polar aligned it. Set up the camera and laptop. Focused on the Dog Star. Started to take a 1 minute exposure and then clouds rolled in. It's outside still awaiting a break in the clouds but still as cloudy as ever. Oh well until next time.......
Doc

Doc

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East Midlands Stargazers

7.3.2009

Stuck up two ceiling lights for my in laws today. Went shopping and then relaxed and watched FA Cup Quarter final between Man Utd and Fulham. Then spent a few hours on SGL. Not a bad day. Very cloudy outside so won't be stargazing tonight.
Doc

Doc

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Onwards to Mars, onwards to Mars!

The God's smiled!

Yesterday at 9.25am the DHL man turned up with my new (to me) 30mm Vixen EP - thanks to Rob for selling it. The usual rule goes - new equipment, cloud for weeks. Last night was clear though! :hello2: The God's were smiling on me. Seeing was carp though, but mustn't grumble! Out to see Saturn - never get enough of the planets. Clearly spotted Dione, Tethys and Rhea exactly where S@N graphis said they should be (except on the other side as using a diagonal). Got a quick glimpse of Lulin as I wa
TheThing

TheThing

2
East Midlands Stargazers

6.3.2009

Went and saw my son James's play at school. He was Perfect Peter from the TV show Horrid Henry. I was really impressed he has a talent for acting. Then went and had a Mcdonalds breakfast with the wife. A very relaxing day. Finish work early as well so fingers crossed for a clear night.
Doc

Doc

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Blog 12658

Gamma!

I had a really nice evening last night. I set up the Skymax and HEQ5 combo allowing it to cool for an hour or two before going out. I ate dinner, played Star Wars Lego with my lad and put him to bed. Just before 9pm I ventured outside with the laptop to find everything covered in ice already. Connected all the leads to the PC - confirmed that the new lead that Roger gave me worked ok (it does - cheers Roger!) and started to image the moon. I've imaged the moon many times before but one of the s
Ant

Ant

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