-
Posts
3,297 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
4
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Events
Blogs
Everything posted by saac
-
Dented main tube on my reflector telescope
saac replied to willburrrr2003's topic in Getting Started General Help and Advice
I doubt it will have any affect so long as it hasn't in any way interfered with how the primary mirror is held. Looking at the photograph is does not look that it has affected the mirror cell. Easiest way to confirm is to stick it on the mount and take a look at some targets but I suspect all will be ok, assuming you have done a visual on the mirror to confirm it is ok. Let us know how you get on. Jim -
That is a lovely image with lots of subject interest. Jim
-
Cracking image there, love the colour pallete Merry Christmas when it comes. Jim
- 1 reply
-
- 1
-
Tbh this high speed camera technology has been demonstrated before by MIT about 5 years ago. The previous video that I recall showed a high frame rate capture (trillion frames per second) of a single pulse of laser light propagating through a cola bottle and washing over an apple. It had been linked to a camera technology that was able to see around corners being able to capture then render minute amounts of reflected light. Jim
-
The chaotic cavity is mesmerising. Cool video, raises more questions in my feeble mind than it answers lol Jim
-
For a first telescope for a 12 year old I think you would be hard pressed to do any better - it has everything that any 12 year old would want from a first telescope. Importantly, it is at a price that should hopefully keep things manageable. It will deliver what your boy is looking for - bags of fun, excitement and learning. He will get decent views of the moon and if he is persistent in his searching and use of the Star Sense app he will find Jupiter and Saturn. This scope will show Jupiter as a small white disc around which will appear small points of light which are the innermost moons of Jupiter as seen by Galileo. Likewise, Saturn will appear as a small white disc and, while the rings will not appear clear and distinct, he will notice that something unusual is there. If he sticks with it and really gets good at searching he will find star clusters and even a sense of the Andromeda galaxy (it will be a very faint washed out cloud like feature - but a galaxy it will be!). For a 12 year old it is the imagination that will be fired by a telescope like this and to be honest that is way more important at that age and stage than the capability of the scope. I wouldn't look to spend much more at this stage - see how he gets on with it first. Remember to come back to SGL for help on setting it up, using it and finding targets. Take a look at First Light Optics for some comments on the scope - their list price may be a little higher but their customer service is exceptional. Jim
-
Leaving a mount outside
saac replied to orly_andico's topic in Getting Started General Help and Advice
You need to buy your mum a nice Christmas present and work on convincing her to let you clear a space for your telescope. Having a permanent setup is a game changer, it's the best upgrade you will ever do. Get her a one of those framed pictures showing the constellations visible on her birthday. That may just just swing it your way - good luck Jim -
BlurExterminator 2.0
saac replied to gorann's topic in Imaging - Image Processing, Help and Techniques
I'm holding out for Cloud X Jim -
BlurExterminator 2.0
saac replied to gorann's topic in Imaging - Image Processing, Help and Techniques
Totally agree, I don't think we are that far off the likes of ZWO offering an ASiAir type of product that manages data capture, completes processing scripts to deliver a "finished" image. The ASiAir (as others) already offers stacking and production of master image files. Like everything else with astrophotography you can decide what level of activity you wish to engage with - nice to have the choice. Jim -
BlurExterminator 2.0
saac replied to gorann's topic in Imaging - Image Processing, Help and Techniques
Now photographing astro with wet film is not something I would have taken to - you have my respect From a scientific view point reducing SNR in idata in such a way as stacking does is a pretty standard routine (legitimate if you want to use such a term) . I cannot imagine why, from a technical perspective anybody could have grounds to be concerned. Too be honest, I would be more concerned that it was not being exploited when the technology permitted it. I guarantee that professional astronomers would have welcomed the digital revolution with open arms. Jim -
BlurExterminator 2.0
saac replied to gorann's topic in Imaging - Image Processing, Help and Techniques
Really depends on what you personally want to get out of it. When I listen to music I don't want to build the amplifier myself nor do I fully understand the electronics that sample and convert from analogue to digital. I'm not interested in that - I just want to listen to the music. So I guess it depends on what you want out of your processing activity. How many of us actually understand what any of the processing tools are doing and to what depth of understanding. From my own point of view I'd be happy so long as I know that my data is not being added to , in effect producing something that was not there. With that aim in mind then I'd be happy for it to be made as simple as possible. I can well understand though that for those who really enjoy the art of processing they may chose to use a different set of tools. Jim -
-
-
That looks so cool, well worth a visit. Jim
-
Very slow preview from ASIAIR Plus
saac replied to mareman48's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
I'm kind of the same when it comes to slow downloading the preview and I'm connected via ethernet albeit over a powerline adapter. I was thinking that it was pretty much just how the ASiAir worked. Jim -
Weather report at 5pm was that it would be clear but it was clouded over all night , just gone out to lock up the obsy Jim
-
Those are a cracking set of images so if they continue like that I'd say you have a really great setup there. I love your M45 - 5 minutes , impressive. Jim
-
As a broadband target from Bortle 7 skies that image of Andromeda is absolutely outstanding. Jim
-
Check out Lee's work at Urban Astrophotography. Lee images from Bristol and has produced some amazing results in both NB and BB. He is active on SGL just cant recall his username at the moment but his web site is well worth a visit from useful guidance. https://urbanastrophotography.com/index.php/2021/06/14/overview/ Jim
-
I think you will be surprised at what is possible from London. There are a number of SGL members from London and they produce the most amazing astrophotography in deep sky, planetary and solar. I'm always amazed at what can still be achieved in some of the more heavily light polluted areas. Jim
-
Those landscape images are lovely, welcome to the forum. Jim
-
Our school was built in the 1950s and the science labs, save two which have been refurbished, have all the original fittings and fixtures. The desks are solid teak and carry the scars and musings of the pupils down through the years - "Bobby was here" ! Jim
-
Had my first year science class doing a decomposition reaction with Copper Carbonate (lovely green coloured powder) this morning (yes we do experiments in school still) and the results made me think of this thread. The resulting copper oxide even had the kids commenting on just how jet black it appeared. I'm guessing it wouldn't be a simple matter as mixing copper oxide with some glue (pva etc) so that it could be used as a very non reflective black paint but it did cross my mind. Looking at uses of copper oxide I found that it is used amongst other things as pigment in anti-fouling paint (marine application). The resulting powder is very fine and it's flat non reflective nature is really cool. Jim
-
A Strange ring around the Moon??!!
saac replied to Nikolai De Silva's topic in Observing - Discussion
Those APOD photographs are gorgeous, thanks for sharing those. Jim