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May 2012 Blog Posts (6)

"PerfectStar" Focus Controller

Astro photographers all know that perfect focusing is both essential and difficult. A motorized focuser is a big help because it allows finer control while avoiding the vibrations typically induced by turning a focus knob by hand. However, simple DC motor systems cannot provide enough precision and absolute positioning systems using stepper or servo motors are usually very…

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Added by Greg Marshall on May 28, 2012 at 11:16am — No Comments

Still Here

Hi Trevor,

Yep, still around. Got an 11" celestron and cgem mount to go with the EQ-G and 70 and 127 mm scopes. Also a guider from kw telescopes in Kitchener-Waterloo that they make themselves using a small finder scope and qhy5 cmos camera. Love it. Spending about 4-5 hours per subject, ending with 2-3 working 'finals' then layering in photoshop elements. Seems to make a huge improvement in my final images

Dave

Added by David Klooz on May 26, 2012 at 4:20am — 2 Comments

I made it into scientific American!!!

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2012/05/16/10-things-exome-sequencing-cant-do-but-why-its-still-powerful/

Not too big a deal, but I'm pretty stoked. Irony is, I share a step mother with David Goldstein but I've only met him once or twice. funny.

Added by Charles Dunlop on May 16, 2012 at 10:44am — 2 Comments

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Added by Charles Dunlop on May 16, 2012 at 10:43am — No Comments

First Planetary Imaging Session

I can't hardly believe we are getting back to back nights. It's been less then a year, but it seems like forever since I've been able to enjoy astronomy multiple nights in a row all night long without fog or clouds or haze or something ruining the pleasure of the evening.

In preparation for the star party this weekend, tonight I didn't break out the imaging gear which I've been testing for the past few nights, just the Dob (16" Lightbridge). Drinking in great views of…

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Added by Neil Heacock on May 13, 2012 at 3:42am — 2 Comments

The Skies Are Back!

After a solid 8 months of horrible skies (and an occasional decent sky of which I was working or some such thing) I finally got out to test my gear changes and I'm happy to say that I'm very pleased with the results. 

The Atlas w/Vixen ED03s and ZenithStar 66 Guider

The Atlas was trouble from the beginning. I didn't expect that. I had (and still have to a degree) issues with the altitude adjustment. It's tight, it slips, the tongue inside is…

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Added by Neil Heacock on May 12, 2012 at 9:00pm — No Comments