Helen

I love these - well done all 😎

Helen

Thank you to those who have just completed it 🙂  I'm getting lots of useful comments!

Helen

Yes you can include multiple people in PMs 😊

Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to complete my short survey 

If anyone else has a spare 5 minutes on a wet evening I'd be very grateful for your views 🙂 

https://forms.gle/83UcgWapjyZB36yw6

Thanks

Helen

1 hour ago, Grant said:

Andrew and Simon - lots of good ideas there - we will start some separate discussions on the science side, initially we will focus on imaging but definitely want to dedicate a % of time to other projects and hopefully @Helen can also weigh in on good projects to participate in 🙂

Fantastic stuff Grant and FLO 🤗

It will be great to discuss what science might be done 👍 (I think Andrew's filter and SA suggestions are great  - and I'd like to add a photometric R for comets 😉).  But lots of opportunity for variable stars, GAIA supernova follow ups, comets, asteroids, spectroscopy - so much universe to explore 😁😁

Helen

Hi,

Yes, FLO do the saddle upgrade https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-replacement-saddles/adm-dual-dovetail-adaptor-for-az-gti.html

If you want to use a counterweight then the bar from an EQ1 will work, but skywatcher don't sell them separately.  If you want to go EQ then you'll need a wedge such as the one for the star adventurer https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-star-adventurer/skywatcher-star-adventurer-equatorial-wedge-white.html . 

Also, there's a firmware update from skywatcher which turns the control for the mount to right arm dual az/eq control  http://skywatcher.com/download/software/motor-control-firmware/ 

HTH

Helen

I only took one - caption competition!!

Hi Seb,

Welcome to SGL 

Where in Wales are you (I'm in the SW Valleys)? and where are you studying?  I did an astrophysics Masters at Cardiff 🙂 

Helen

4 minutes ago, Stu said:

Tee hee, I have two bits of that setup Helen, would work really well together!!

We did mention you @Stu 😉 

Helen

  hello Ron 

Yep Alan I had a thoroughly enjoyable time talking about the mount and the design processes and outcome.  It really is lovely.  The one on the IKI stand with a Tak 100 on one side and a Tak Mewlon on the other did look absolutely the business!  Dream set up (a own one bit, just two more to go..... but not quite yet 😉)

Helen

16 minutes ago, Mark at Beaufort said:

I need to thank @Helen - wonderful welsh cakes - Pam really enjoyed them as well.

@Lockie

It was good to catch up with you, and everyone else too, Mark 😁. It wouldn't be a proper SGL get together without Welsh Cakes 😉

Helen

Just arrived 🤗. See everyone shortly 😁

Helen

There are some Thorlab bits on ABS at the moment - not sure if they are any use to you Dave, Louise??

Helen

3 hours ago, AdeKing said:

I absolutely love that building, I did my Hydrogeology MSc at Cardiff Uni and loved the city and people, fond memories. 

Enjoy Ranulph Fiennes, not seen him myself but one of his presrntations was the reason my friend (and boss) decided to climb Kiliminjaro. 

Thanks Ade.  He was great!  such a dry sense of humour...  but the photos of the effect extreme cold, extreme fatigue etc have on various body parts was enough to remind us that this was a deadly serious business!

Cardiff has a lot going for it   (from another Cardiff MSc graduate 😉 )

Helen

1 hour ago, AdeKing said:

This is me, though I'm quite a bit greyer now.

 

I'm in there now Ade!!!!!  Waiting for Ranulph Fiennes 😉

😉

Going Saturday Gav, so no catch up unfortunately 😥

Helen

I thought it might be good to do this so that we recognise each other 😉

This is me 🙂 

Helen

I'll be there on Saturday afternoon - with Welsh cakes 😉 

Helen

12 minutes ago, Lockie said:

I'll keep my eyes peeled for you Alan I'm 50/50 at the moment, crowded places tend to play havoc with my anxiety making me feel really sick and panicky, but I really wanted to be surrounded by a massive hall full of astro equipment and like minded people lol

The previous times I've been Chris there has been plenty of room to move around, so much less claustrophic than Astrofest etc. and it is easy to escape to quieter spots 😉 

Helen

Thanks  

up to 11 now 🙂  

Helen

I so wish I had negotiated commission from Brundle 😉

You will not regret it - best decision I made, still running smoothly after many years 😁

Enjoy!

Helen

@SimonS and I got to go in the cage of a scope at Kitt Peak - unfortunately during the day rather than night!  It didn't look a particularly comfortable place to be for a long cold night though....