barkis

If you have a local Astro Society, it would be a shame not to avail yourself of what they have to offer you. Generally, they are genuine and helpful folks, and often a mix of older, younger, and in many case both male and female members. You will soon fit in, and likely learn a great great deal of both practical, and theoretical astronomy. You will no doubt have lectures on various astro topics, and in time, probably giving lectures yourself. You will get outdoor activities involving observational nights, and much dealings with the general public during National Astronomy weeks. So if you locate a Society near you, just pay them a visit, you will be made welcome for sure. Ron.

Ah! you're correct, but the resemblance to Paul Newman's character is remarkable. He looked a sorry sight after his fight with George Kennedy 😀.

PN In Cool Hand Luke Shane ??

I'm sincerely hope that Observational Astronomy remains a desirable pursuit of all astronomers, both Amateur and Professional. Light pollution is certainly responsible for any decline in the numbers visually surfing the universe, but to abandon it completely would be a tragedy. Imaging has also had a negative impact on numbers eyeballing the sky, mostly as a result of the rapid influx of the digital wizardry that is available to give the amateur AP's the tools that can produce results comparable to the Professionals. These tools can be a drain on the pocket, but that may not be a deterrent to the ones determined to produce first class results. Of course the tools are one thing, like any task, it takes more than just the tools, it takes much know how too. One can run into much frustration, and despair, I can attest to that. So much so, I'm seriously contemplating selling my imaging collection, and investing in a large DOB. The skies around where I live are not too Bad, and I always got much satisfaction from my observing sessions, and the sense of wonder you feel is far more emotional than looking at a picture, with all due respect to those who do image the Deep Sky wonders. I will persevere with imaging this coming season, but that big DOB. Is always in my mind. Best Wishes to both Observers, and Imagers. Ron.

Have faith Daz. It could turn good for you, hope so anyway. Good Luck Matey, besides, you'll still enjoy it. Ron.

I recall similar Whoops and Hollers when John Dobson took his home made Dobs. on to the sidewalks of America. Of course Optical Technology has moved on a pace since those days, but nevertheless, the worth of doing this sort of thing is written in the reactions of the people gazing through the eyepiece of that young man's telescope. It gives a big buzz to those bringing this enlightenment to the uninitiated, and it is a great feeling. Outreach workers are doing a fantastic job of taking the mystery out of Astronomy, and thus seeding new amateurs to this great way of life. Great Video.👍 Ron.

I'd go for that 😀.

Hope the weather is kind to you SSC. Hope you have a great time too, although meeting up with friends and colleagues is always a big plus regardless of anything else. Bring some good memories back matey. Ron.

I'm a bit too Old for the Dispatch Op. position, and it is too far to commute to Devon anyway, 😀, but a great job for somebody down there. Great to see the Flo. Business doing so well. Hard work does bring rewards, and this is a wonderful success story. I wish you all a great future. A beacon in these turbulent times. Ron

Congratulation Michael, nice to see an APOD by a member of SGL. We've had successes before, but we need to let the worldwide AP community see there is much quality residing here. Well Done Sir. Ron.

That's one hell of a Crew manning the Flo ship. Sail On Flo . Ron.

Here is a video of how to modify a DSLr Camera for Astro. Photography. However. things have changed a lot since those days, and cameras today can do the job well without the need to modify them. It can be a delicate process, but with care, it can be done. You will get many replies here, and you must choose what you think suits you best. Ron.

Just wish I was going to be there with the guys. The quiz is a great highlight of the event. I really hope everyone has a great time, and some great Astronomy is forthcoming too. If not, there is still great fun to be enjoyed. Take great care there and back everyone. . Ron.

The warm up is actually a cooling down is it not ? The sensor is more sensitive to faint light when cold. That set point you decide for yourself. Usually around -20c -30c. Someone with more experience will come in here and be more specific. Ron.

Great to have you back here Kev.Congrats on your retirement too. A Camper Van is a lovely acquisition, and something I would love to own too, but it's still a dream. Looking forward to seeing more of your Astro. Work again. Ron.

Three of us from Border Astro. Society decided to drive down to Devon for that event. The local Press got wind of our trip, and a reporter paid us a visit. The report appeared in the local Evening Newspaper. David Ramshaw at that time was head of Physics and Electronics at The Trinity School in the grounds of where, our Observatory was eventually sited. The telescope the reporter mentioned was not a scope at all, it was a Camera lens. It was mounted on what was basically a crude fork mount, the polar disc the fork was on was friction driven by a stepper motor. Unfortunately the Devon weather was uncooperative that day. Nevertheless, we had a great time down there. Visited some very nice places indeed, and Ironically, the Sun shone all that time. We camped in a Farmers field with his permission of course, and a generous donation😃. We were very near the coast at Slapton Sands. We all know the Infamy that took place there in WWII. We did visit the Memorials to those young Americans who died there. Very Sad. Ron.

I go back many years too Nigella, No auto Guiding back then. Stepper motors on both Axis controlled by push buttons to speed up or slow down the drive to keep the guide star on an illuminated cross haired eyepiece was a tiring ordeal. I also had a sliding shutter mechanism mounted inside the focuser holding the OM1 Camera. This also was stepper controlled, with small red and green miniature lams to indicate on the controller when the slide was open, or closed. Micro switches at either end of the slide operated a particular slide position. this prevented any drift off the guide star having to get up and shut the camera down manually. My polar axis worm wheel was a rough and ready one which originated from a Film developer I saw in a military hardware scrapyard. It was not very true for the purpose I need it for, talk about periodic error. It was a labour of love to say the least. This thing had sinusoidal waveform worse the the profile of the Pyrenees. 😃. Things are much different these days, modern electronics has revolutionised Astro. Photography. However, the collecting of the Date, and processing it demands much skill and know how. I'm still struggling to take off. Much too much other stuff is stifling the task. Ron.

Super set of the event Nigella, It's a bonus when there is enough time to complete an Imaging run with our skies so unpredictable. Good Lunar Imagery keeps the Moon a worthy target for the Camera, and these should give much inspiration especially to the younger potential astro. photographers. Ron.

I met sir Patrick at a time when he visited our Observatory in the Grounds of Trinity School in Carlisle. Of course it was the BAA's Out of London meeting, which Carlisle qualified for as a venue when The University of Cumbria was established, and Halls of Residence were then available. The two pictures show sir P. having a chin wag with the late great David Sinden, who Patrick knew so well. Patrick was trying in vain to persuade David to appear on his Sky at Night Programme, but David could not be persuaded at all. The telescope in one Image is one I made myself. It was a 12" F6 which I installed in a Hexagon shaped tube, it bore some resemblance one of his own Newtonian's at Selsey. I managed to have a few words with him inside the Border Astronomical Society's Domed Obs, which was constructed by some of the Trainees of the Carlisle Technical College. Our little chat was more about sir P's RAF years, and little or no astronomy as I remember. It was a very exciting time though, great stuff. Ron.

Cracking Image, You guys are rivaling the Pros. with quality this good. Ron.

Cheers Mick, I have an older Fujitsu Siemens laptop I dug out of the cupboard today. It's loaded with Win XP, but I do have a genuine Win7 complete with it's original software and Serial No. I bought it at a computer fair some years ago. I'll have a go at loading Wiin.7 onto the Fujitsu Lappy. That should solve the issue for me. The webcam will have little work to do anyway, I have more sophisticated cameras in the Kit Bag😀. I thank everyone for their contribution to this thread though. Ron.

Nothing to lose, so Worth a try I guess. I've joined the SharpCap forum, maybe Robin will have a solution. I wonder how many devices have been made redundant by the Windows 10. os ?

I'm clueless on Raspberry Pi Gina. I thought originally is was a tasty sweet 😀.

Thanks Nigella, The camera is not supported by Windows 10, and I have run myself ragged trying to get it to work using Compatibility Modes, with differing camera model drivers, but to no avail. My own stupid fault, I ought to have asked about System compatibility before I bought it. I can't find any Information on flashing the camera, so I'm snookered I guess. Thanks for trying to help anyway, I appreciate it. Ron.

Hope I'm OK asking this in the A/Lounge, but I thought it might get more eyes on it here. I bought a Phillips SPC900NC/00 Webcam, but it came with no Drivers, or Manual. I've tried the Phillips website, but It's getting me involved with the Driver Support Outfit. I was involved with those people before, and they did help a lot when sorting proper drivers for many of my devices. Unfortunately, I cancelled my annual payment plan on Paypal, because every time I went to their website, or anywhere else they were a part of, I was getting Warning messages from My Malware Protection Software. I contacted Driver Support on this, And they suggested I adjusted my Software to allow these through. I wasn't prepared to do that, as there must be something not right, and I know they are likely PUPS, but nevertheless, I was not prepared to put my computer at risk. So, the burning question, has anyone got the drivers for this Model, and are willing to supply me copies of same. I'm quite prepared to pay for this of course. I think the suffix/ 00 in the type number indicated a variation in the model design, rather that indicate any change in the drivers. I'm running Window10 though, and the drivers I have seen online are only compatible with Windows 7 or XP. Hope someone can help anyhow. Cheers. Ron. PS If the Moderators wish to move this anywhere else, feel free to do so.