stefski

By the way, I should have mentioned that it's published by Springer..... Stef

Cheers, It took a year to take all the photos from my back garden. So all in all, the book's taken 2 years from conception to publication.:eek: Anyway, I hope you like it:) Stef

Yep, my new book is out. It's called: The Visual Astronomer's Photographic Guide to the Deep Sky I know it's not catchy, but does do exactly what it says on the tin. The book shows you what you will actually see through the eyepiece. So there aren't any processed images or long exposures. It contains photos of the visual view of loads of DSOs. Most DSOs have two photos with different sized 'scopes so that you can compare the views with a scope of similar size to your own. Anyway, here's a link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Visual-Astronomers-Photographic-Guide-Deep/dp/1441972412/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294908506&sr=8-1 It's not cheap, but hopefully it's worth it!!:) Stef

Hi Michael, Well as I've been a purely 'visual' guy for many years, the book is field guide aimed at that market. I'm not really allowed to say anymore, or I may have to kill you!!!;) We'll see how my forray into imaging goes....At the mo I'm trawling the internet being continuosly bewildered by jargon and how much I didn't know!:icon_eek: I look forward to seeing a few of your images on the forum when the skies get darker and maybe you could give me a few tips! Stef Stef

I am now trying my hand at imaging DSOs. Yes, I am about to practice the 'dark art' that is deep sky imaging. I bought an Atik 16ic from FLO the other day and am now just waiting for the skies to get a little darker..... Had some good news the other day, my astronomy book is in production through Springer Publishers, so watch this space:D.....(won't be out for a few months though!)

Tried out my new baader solar film + continuum filters today on the new TMB 80:). Wow, is all I can say!!! I've never seen sunspots quite so clearly before.....I also saw a hint of granulation as it 'popped' in and out of view with the seeing!:D I had a go at viewing through my toucam + a ir blocking filter. It was a real beast to try and focus....Not convinced that I got it quite right. I might try agin tomorrow with the watec instead. Either way I had a great time viewing a couple of spots:glasses1:....I'll need to do a bit of research now into what I'm looking at. Stef

I'm not sure whether these blog thingies are supposed to be only astro related?....:confused: After Saturday's debacle with the weather, the Stefski clan had a great day in the sun at Lord's on Sunday. Wife and I had far too much wine early on:)....(very bad parents). Realised that a whole day is probably a bit much for two boys under the age of seven. Mind you they got very excited when the bat was hit in our direction and they got Alastair Cook's autograph:D! Apart from that, not much to report...Still waiting to try out the new solar filter:glasses1: and sketch a few sun spots. Stef

:crybaby2:Well she's gone....Little Meg has left me for a new home. I'm sure she'll be happy there - Dusko seems like a nice chap who will look after her..... So now the TMB adventure begins! The solar filters arrived yesterday but I haven't had a chance to play with them yet. Hopefully will be able to get back from work at a reasonable hour in the next few days to give them a crack. Played my first game of cricket for the village team on Sunday afternoon. Enjoyed that a lot (25 n.o.) - hadn't played a game for 20 years! Family were watching, so daddy was desperately trying not to be out first ball!:p Apart from that it's just work, work, work as they say....:rolleyes:

:o Maybe next time, I shouldn't have a few glasses of vino before trying to align a mount!!!!:iamwithstupid::p Got it sussed now, I hope!.... Looking forward to the arrival of my new baader solar filter etc.....:D....but also sad to be saying goodbye to my old friend Little Meg.

:mad::mad::mad: This little thing is starting to get on my nerves......

My first blog....Am being dragged, finally, into the 21st century and writing my first ever blog.:confused: The question is, what should I write? And, frankly, who is going to bother to read it? Well, for all you Stef-enthusiasts, here it goes.... I've just finished writing aa astro book for Springer Publishers. I sent it to the editor about 3 weeks ago...still waiting for the ok for it, so fingers crossed! I've got no idea when it will be released for public consumption. But for those of you who don't know, it is aimed at the purely visual observer! Actually, the title of the book is still to be confirmed as well..... Due to financial considerations, I decided to sell my Nx11 recently. Managed to get a nice swap for a TMB 80/480 + some cash which helped the bank balance. I've given the frac a go and it really is great:D. However, I realised that it's so similar in aperture (but better quality) than my Meg72, that Little Meg, as she is affectionately known, is now for sale... Now that the book is done, I'm looking forward to getting back to my astro sketching, which has taken a back seat for a few months....And thinking about getting a solar filter to put on the TMB and look at some sun spots now that the Sun has finally woken up. Right, well that's it for now....Tune in for your next instalment;) Stef