Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I have already ticked a total eclipse off my list (Austria 1999) but I could be tempted by the 2026 & 2027 total eclipses if I have the opportunity. The north coast of Spain looks the best for 2026 with Majorca (just above the horizon?) as a back up. Egypt is still on my list so that would be my destination choice for 2027. I’d hope to get better images than I did in ’99.
Nick’s addition of a spacecraft did have me wondering if there is a place in space he could go to see a total eclipse involving the Sun & Earth and how it would look.Hi Nick, thank you. Wishful thinking on my part! I had tried various options but the ‘Could not allocate output buffer’ error stopped me stumbling across the correct ones. I’m pleased to say applying the correct options resolves the issue.
Hi Nick,
Memory would make sense. I am limited for memory on the laptop I’m using. The command line that I’m using is:
fcombine -C -v fitout1 IN/* (where IN is a folder with my fit files.)
Regards
Alan
Nick,
I had a go at using the program yesterday. I didn’t have anything setup on my laptop so I installed a WSL development environment.
Running without any options (fcombine outfile infiles) generated an image stacked on the stars with the comet trailed. I then tried the -C option. This resulted in ‘Could not allocate output buffer’ error message. It gave an empty output file. I suspect it is something I haven’t got in my environment or not giving to the program. I ran with the -v option but this didn’t give any more relevant information:Mid time: 2023-01-27 05:44:08, Span: 1962s, Exposure: 32x60s
Could not allocate output bufferYou mentioned ‘an attached script’ in your last post but I couldn’t see any attachment.
Hi Denis, I wasn’t surprised to hear that there are many of Paul’s sketches of comets in the BAA Comet Archive. Comets did seem to be one of his passions. I have the attached (unsigned) image which I have wondered if Comet Hyakutake was his inspiration.
I have found the photos of his work that went on sale. I will scan them when I get the chance.Alan Miller
Attachments:
One of Paul’s paintings came up for auction last year:
I assume most of his work was done on a commission basis and sold on completion but I remember that his unsold work was put up for sale after his death and sold at market rate. Some of the paintings were damaged/unsigned but I seem to remember one of his iconic images was included in the sale. A certificate signed by Patrick Moore was provided with the unsigned paintings. I may still have photographs of the paintings.
If your friend hasn’t been for an eye test recently you should encourage him to visit his local optician. They will be able to identify if there are any underlying issues that might be causing his eyesight to deteriorate.
I’ve got the PRO version. I’ve only been using it with my Canon DSLR (no video option) but I am more than happy with it despite the weak Wi-Fi signal.
Near to me in Wigan, the fashion is increasingly to mount roof height floodlights which spread light around the entire neighbourhood. My local council’s attitude to light pollution seems to be indifferent and that the complainant must prove that the light is a ‘statutory nuisance’ for them to take action.
I’m not holding my breath for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dark Skies to make recommendations (if it ever gets round to doing so!) to the Government that would improve the situation for most people that live in towns and cities across the UK.
Maybe we need a league of shame to highlight the towns and cities that are damaging the environment the most with light pollution. Which would you vote for?
On a more positive note, modern technology is still giving me the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of the night sky. I was able to locate and image Comet C/2019 L3 Atlas within a couple of minutes last night… until the clouds rolled in.
