-
Search Results
-
In reply to: BAA Telescope Time?
Yes, what Andy has said is correct.
The programming that is stalled because the programmers are in Ukraine is the overall programming for the system as used by all users, commercial and non-commercial. The idea was that when the basics of the system were working, a few of us would test it, then develop some instructions and make a web tutorial for members. The allocation of time to BAA members was (in part) a transaction in return for our advertising the company, and crediting it in any papers that used results from the telescope. The level of interest would determine whether we needed to devise a system of prioritising certain users. We might have just decided to pay for more time so as to avoid needing to prioritise anyone. If it proved really popular, buying footprint at the facility for a BAA-only telescope on the same system would have been considered as a later stage.
I hope to be able to impart some more news soon.
David
In reply to: Telescope for planetary imaging
Looking for a second telescope + mount for planetary and lunar viewing & astrophotography.
I’m not really a planetary imager, but it seems to me that SCT’s are probably still the most popular telescope for imaging planets.
The long focal length gives a good scale with the planetary cameras, and you’d probably looking at somewhere between 200mm to 300mm aperture.
And you also need a good mount, but you don’t need to guide so that makes things a bit simpler.Callum
Looking for a second telescope + mount for planetary and lunar viewing & astrophotography.
Not looking to break the bank as it will be my secondary and I’m not interested in DSO’s with it as I already have an eVscope for these.
It will be mainly used in my back garden but I do have a large estate car for the possibility of transporting it to dark sites, star parties, etc.
I have a Canon DSLR but not averse to purchasing a ZWO planetary specific camera at a future date.
(My post-processing will be done with a Mac and not Windows)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated…Thanks,
Mark Fairfax
(New member)Mark Fairfax
In reply to: BAA Telescope Time?
Hi Callum,
Oh yes, now you mention it I think I recall seeing that once before. So, that would be used in some way for scheduling one imagines, but scheduling what?
Is the BAA thinking of buying telescope time from a commercial site, buying footprint at a managed facility and setting up their own scope or buying a BAA defined system to be run at the site in question. What sort of operating model are they thinking of?
Similarly, is this intended purely as a recruitment carrot to dangle or would it (if a BAA system) also be available for the sections so its output every year did not consist of entirely of another 2000 narrowband images of M42, M31 and M45.
Grant
In reply to: BAA Telescope Time?
A little while ago, during a meeting, our President made reference to an effort to in some way source some remote telescope time for members. My memory is vague but, as I recall it, he seemed to suggest that this would be a selling point in attracting new members.
Hi Grant,
I dont know the details but I understand the project is stalled because the software being developed/configured for the BAA was being done in Ukraine.
Callum
Topic: BAA Telescope Time?
A little while ago, during a meeting, our President made reference to an effort to in some way source some remote telescope time for members. My memory is vague but, as I recall it, he seemed to suggest that this would be a selling point in attracting new members.
It may be that I have this all wrong, in which case apologies to all.
But if not, I wonder how this effort is progressing, what rationale is being applied and when the members will be likely to hear more of the plans.
In reply to: Ron Arbour
A hugely skilled astronomer, a discoverer of supernovae, a telescope maker and an innovator.
A nice man who was generous with his time, fun to be with and happy to help others out.
More importantly than all that, Pat’s husband.
I’m glad I was lucky enough to know him.
In reply to: Ron Arbour
I first met Ron at the Winchester weekend of 1978. I was in awe of his ‘astro-photography’, and can still remember those stunning photo’s of M42 which he used to display in the reception area of King Alfreds College. He turned up to a few VS meetings over the years, along with those held by the Deep Sky Section. It was always a pleasure to see him again and have a chat. His search for perfection in his telescopes was always a source of amusement to me (and others I have to say), and I would often ask him what telescope he had taken apart since we last met. Each year that he attened Winchester, he would invite me to break my journey home to Birmingham to visit him and see his observatory set-up. An offer I never did take up, and one which I truly regret now. My thoughts are with Pat at this sad time.
Gary
In reply to: Ron Arbour
I first met Ron not long after he became a TV star for his early recovery, with Alan Young, of 1P/Halley and have always marvelled at the quality of his work. He was very innovative and came up with loads of excellent ideas including is own cold camera and comet offset guiding attachment. There is a pretty good summary of Ron and his work along with a photo of Ron with his home-built 16-inch here:
http://mstecker.com/pages/apparbour.htm
His SNe discovery record is testament to his skill and dedication. Ron always regretted replacing that telescope with an “inferior” commercial instrument and mount.
I will miss our regular email exchanges and my annual meeting with Ron and Pat after Winchester when I would discover what new equipment Ron was testing, usually in the living room. Pat was very tolerant.
Another of the BAA astronomy greats gone. Deepest condolences to Pat.
Topic: Ron Arbour
I have been informed by Pat Arbour that Ron sadly died this morning. He had been unwell for a few months which had stopped his observing. Ron Arbour who had discovered 49 supernova, was in the past a council member,the founder of the Deep Sky section and telescope maker. He was a great friend to many.I knew him for 50 years and he will be greatly missed both by myself and Pauline and his many friends
Condolences to Pat at this difficult time.In reply to: Information about G.F.Kellaway needed.
This might not be much use but Comet Peltier-Kellaway was discovered in December 1943.
There is a Kellaway Building Supplies which might have a family connection so might be worth contacting them, https://www.kellaway.co.uk/
The local paper the Yeovil Express has changed hands since 1943 but they would have archives, my thoughts are they would have run a story about the discovery of the comet on 19th December 1943, might be worth enquiring with them to see what they have on record. https://www.yeovilexpress.co.uk/
I guess the comet was discovered with his 7.5 inch Cooke which he mounted a camera with a Zeiss lens, perhaps the antique telescope society might have further details
GF.Kellaway was a Director of the now long defunct BAA Photographic Section in 1937. He lived at West Coker in Somerset. I would like any information that anybody knows about his life his observatory and his telescope. He was an active comet photographer, with a very distinguished record. There does not appear to be any photograph of him or of his observtaory or equipment.
Denis Buczynski Secretary BAA Comet Section.In his short note about comet on the month 19P Borrelly, Nick states “
The comet was discovered by Alphonse Borrelly at the Marseille Observatory on 1904 December 28.86. I think the discovery instrument was his 18.2-cm Eichens comet seeker but I’d be happy to be corrected if anyone has more details.
So I searched for more information about he instument he discovered the comet with and Marseille Observatory. It turned out to be quite and unusual design of comet seeker. It was built by the French instrument maker Eichens with an f/11 object glass made my Alphonse Martins( who was a apprentice to Leon Faucault). The design was such that the observer could search for comets without the need to move from a stationary observing position. I attach two pictures of this most unusual telescope.I have a particular interest in comet seeker telescopes and their design, especially the instruments that were used for actual discoveries. I maintain a collection of images of such telescopes and if any member has any pictures, identifications and locations then let me know
Denis Buczynski BAA Comet Section
In reply to: Mystery antique telescope
I’ve had a look on line and looked through a few books both for the telescope and for the event (Lord Morison handing over the telescope) and I can’t find anything. As you say, several of similar design, but none VERY close. The altitude bar, the fixings to the mount, the location of the focus knobs, the combination of exposed and covered brass…
It would probably be worth contacting the antique Telescope Society. Also try the Society for the History of Astronomy as they will likely put a picture of it in a coming publication to broaden exposure.
James [Librarian for the Society for the History of Astronomy]
Topic: Mystery antique telescope
Can you identify this?
I’ve been digging through the storage cupboards of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh and we have this 3 inch refractor, donated to us in 1942 by Lord Morison. No maker’s mark on it at all. I’ve searched to find what it is but with no success. It’s similar to many but not identical to any.
Can anyone give me some pointers?
Thanks
Mark
Attachments:
Topic: The death of Rob Moseley
It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of my great friend and past BAA member Rob Moseley of Coventry on February 11.Rob was a lunar and planetary observer and contributed many observations to the BAA Lunar and Planetary Sections in the 1980’s and 90’s. He was primarily a visual observer with perceptive skills and the abilty of portray on paper the detail he could see in the eyepiece of a telescope. Later in life he concentrated on visually observing and measuring close double stars.He spoke at many meetings of the BAA and around the country. He was a past editor of The Lunar Section publication “The New Moon”.Many of his detailed lunar drawings can be seen in past copies of that publication.He was student of the history of astronomy and also possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of Ancient Roman History.He will be sorely missed by all that knew him.Many will be shocked to hear of his passing after a period of illlness. Attached are two pictures, one of Rob with a BAA loan telescope and a set of two Mars drawings made at a favourable Mars apparition. Denis Buczynski
Attachments:
In reply to: Following JWST through Orion to L2
I once had a telescope almost as badly collimated as that…
https://blogs.nasa.gov/webb/2022/02/11/photons-received-webb-sees-its-first-star-18-times/
Seriously though, I agree it’s fascinating to read the Webb blog
Such well-written and informative articles by the team, explaining an amazing technical achievement in an easy to understand manner.
Alex.
In reply to: Following JWST through Orion to L2
As of Feb 3 the telescope is pointing at HD 84406 in UMa. This should mean that we can calculate the aspect angle of the sunshield and the effect this has on the apparent magnitude as seen from the Earth. It might explain why the telescope was so much brighter last night. The optical collimation has now begun and the blog has a fascinating description of how it will be done. It is well worth a read.
In reply to: Mystery lens and optics tube?
It’s looking increasingly likely that this is the missing Mond lens. It’s aperture is 17 cm and the focal length seems to be around 120cm when bringing a ceiling light into focus on a screen, which agrees with the original specification in NLO Handbook 1935. We have also found some numbers inscribed into the rim of the lens carrier but cannot read them clearly enough yet. The lens also fits comfortably into the front of the telescope tube. It does look like a petzval lens as you suggest Dennis, so my only query is was the original lens a petzval? We also believe that the accompanying guidescope is also original to the Mond. We believe it is the bottom section of a longer instrument which you see in the above photograph. I thought it just had its lens missing but now believe another longer brass tube holding the objective lens was located over the end of this short one.
In reply to: Following JWST through Orion to L2
British Astronomical Association
Supporting amateur astronomers since 1890
