astroenthusiast

Radio astronomy observatory build. Work in progress....

The reflection nebula NGC 2023, known as the Horsehead Nebula is in the constellation Orion. The Horsehead Nebula is also known by another name, Barnard 33. The red glow of mostly hydrogen molecular gas located behind Barnard 33, is ionized by the nearby bright star Sigma Orionis. The revised image was capture 12/11/2021 using a 165mm APO FPL-53 Air Spaced Triplet refractor, a CMOS one-shot color camera, at a temperature of -25 Celsius and an exposure time of 2 hours.

The Flaming Star Nebula - Starless

The SpectraCyber - CI will allow both 3-meter satellite mesh antenna dishes, configuration as a Radio Astronomy (basic) Inteferometer. Of course there is still math involved in the configuration. The SpectraCyber will allow me to move away temporarily from the complex Python & GNU radio programming, with the SDR receivers, balanced modulator/demodulator lock-in amplifier modules, and passive double -balanced mixers (low & high linear), shown below.

Took time out to configure the SDRplay – RSPduo (dual), SDR receivers with an external GPS Disciplined oscillator. The test assembly allowed for a total of four SDR antenna receiver ports to operate simultaneously using the RSPduo, SDR receivers. The GPS will allow for improved stability and importantly accuracy for Doppler shift & pulsar detection, on 1420.508 & 1405 MHz’s. Equipment list in the image:· The GPS device used was the Leo Bodnar, Precision GPS Reference Clock (1) GPS Active Antenna (1) SDRplay – RSPduo receiver (2) 3m USB A to B Cable (2) BNC to MCX GPSDO Pigtail (2) The image consists of (desk-shelf), two SDRplay - RSPduo receivers (black boxes) connected to the Leo Bodnar GPSDO (silver box with red lights, right), using two BNC to MCX pigtail twelve" cable connectors. The software used is the SDRuno, and GPS Clock Configuration utility (not shown), displayed on the dual monitors for each respective RSPduo SDR receiver. The first monitor (left) is set for 1420.508 MHz, the neutral hydrogen (HI), atom emission line frequency or 21 Centimeter wavelength. The second RSPduo is set for 1420.752 MHz, the rest frequency of neutral hydrogen, for testing purposes only. Next, I have placed an order for a small 7x7 storage shed, in order to keep the radio astronomy project moving along. I will plan for the NexDome personal observatory, hopefully next year. The 7x7 storage is expected delivery next week, I will pour a cement foundation and bolt the shed to the cement pad. Most likely an air supply & humidifier are required to keep moisture down, equipment cool, free from weather moisture damage. Last, I'm having a custom built Spectracyber 1420 MHz spectral – continuum radio telescope - CyberSpectra I. Delivery is expected within two weeks. The Spectracyber unit and its software are for measuring the HI emissions doppler affect & velocity in km/sec, at the galactic plane. The unit will also serve for measuring galactic high velocity clouds (HVC) as well. Both, 3-meter mesh satellite dishes will be configured in a interferometer (basic) setup with the Spectracyber unit. Power to the radio astronomy interferometer system is going to take thought, but I am up for the challenge!

This is an interesting celestial object (LBN 704) to image, but unfortunately the weather would not cooperate due to clouds rolling in and after waiting 40 – 60 minutes, I eventually ended the imaging session.

I have never cared for the term used on Cloudy Nights, “Sucker-hole”, breaks in the clouds that astrophotographer’s look for to capture images. I like to think of them as moments of opportunity for those who wait patiently! This was one of those opportunities, where I used sub-frames to capture a 65-mininute exposure of Messier 31 on 09/11/2021. During that time, the evening was warm and clouds were rolling in strong! Unfortunately there wasn't time to capture a full image of M31, but to me it was worth the time and effort! The Andromeda Galaxy’s image was captured using the Explore Scientific ED 165mm APO refractor at F7, using an ASI2600mc Pro CMOS color camera; with a temperature of -15 Celsius. An Optolong L-Pro filter was used to reduce the light pollution. Present in the image as well is NGC 221 also designated Messier 32, a dwart satellite galaxy.