michael.h.f.wilkinson Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hello, I am Michael Wilkinson, from Groningen in the Netherlands. I have been an amateur astronomer since about 1977, and studied astronomy at the Kapteyn Institute in Groningen, specializing in optical astronomy.I then got side-tracked into digital image processing, and ended up with a PhD in computer science, on the topic of fluorescence and shape analysis of intestinal bacteria. All I learned about low-light-level imaging in astronomy proved highly useful.I am now senior lecturer in computer science in Groningen, and collaborate with medics and astronomers on image analysis. Currently we are exploring such diverse topics as blood-vessel enhancement in 3D CT and MRI scans, hand eczema classification, real-time traffic-sign detection, and (most interesting for this forum) automated analysis of overlapping (i.e. separate galaxies which happen to lie along the line of sight) vs merging galaxies, without the use of spectrogrphic information (i.e. just the morphology). The methods I have been using are now also being introduced in LOFAR signal processing, and density estimation at a cosmologic scale.At the amateur side of things I have a Celestron C8 on a Great Polaris mount (no goto) with a 2" back end from Baader, and a Williams optics 2" star diagonal (very good piece of kit), a little 4.5" F=500 mm newtonian as comet sweeper, two Vixen LV eyepieces (7mm and 9mm), a Meade Series 5000 15mm UWA (rather nice), an old 26mm Plossl that came with the C8, and a TMB Paragon 40mm (very nice indeed).I also have a philips TOUCAM-III-pro, which I use with a Meade series 5000 3x TeleXtender. I also have a 2x, but the 1.25" adapter of my TOUCAM won't fit (bummer). I use a Vixen Flip mirror in this set up. In the city I generally focus on planetary work, and the brighter DSOs. The surroundings of Groningen are not too bad for light polution, so a short trip outside of the city allows me to see the fainter DSOs. I plan to get a decent DSO camera at some point in time, along with a large, fast Newtonian (about 12", yes aperture fever).I am currently looking to replace my last Plossl and both LVs, so I am interested in any info on that topic.CheersMichael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kniclander Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 wlecome Michael - it looks like we will have a lot to learn from you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Strings Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hi Michael, welcome to SGLJohn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starjumper Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hi Michael,Welcome to SGL.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Tilley Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hello Michael, welcome from me too!Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Impressive CV Michael, welcome to SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hi Michael,A very warm welcome to SGL, I am sure your expertise will be a welcome addition to the forum.John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talitha Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hi and welcome to SGL, Michael. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro_Baby Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hi and welcome from me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callisto Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hallo from Newcastle,Doe voorzichtig, Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.h.f.wilkinson Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hallo from Newcastle,Doe voorzichtig, Mark. Gaan we nou Nederlands leuteren: bovendien Mark is niet Michael For those of you who do not speak Dutch, please ignore this idle banter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Green Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hi Michael a warm welcome to the SGLStephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hi Michael welcome to the forumDean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albireo380 Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Welcom uit SGL Michael. Heb en goede nieuw jaar (sorry about the bad Dutch - been a long time since I used it much).Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnh Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Great to have a real scientist here so a warm welcome Michael. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.h.f.wilkinson Posted January 18, 2010 Author Share Posted January 18, 2010 Great to have a real scientist here so a warm welcome Michael.But never underestimate my ability to get things wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt c Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Wow that quite a career welcome to the forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phattanglo Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 Hello Michael and welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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