Eric Watkins

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Viewing 20 posts - 41 through 60 (of 138 total)
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  • in reply to: Jonathan Shanklin honoured #583455
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    That’s great news.   Well done.  We can but hope for a slowing down, even better a reversal, of climate change heating, so that the glacier may out live us.

    Best,

    Eric

    in reply to: securing roof of roll of roof observatory #583301
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    William,

    thank you for the suggestion and the link.  I had found similar products on eBay.  The problem is there is a 5″ open gap to span(excluding the fixing points. and the catches I’ve seen have a span of 4″ and including the fixing points.  I have looked at some USA forums and it would seem the hasp and staple   are strong and lengths are such that the gap can be coverd and secured by a padlock or a simple clasp.  I shall probably go this way unless something more suitable pops up.

    Eric

    in reply to: Pure iron meteor spectrum #583216
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi Bill,

    excellent results.  What set up did you use?

    Eric

    in reply to: Pier adapter engineering parts #583096
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    James,

      I’ve recently had similar problems with a couple of mounts and what I did was ‘phone around a coupe of local small engineering  firms. It only took me three calls.  The first was too busy but referred me to another who was at the time closed due to the virus, but is open again and can make piers.  The 3rd could do the job I wanted which was to make an adapter plate for a Paramount ME after which he was able to make the Owl nest adapter to hold the EQ8 to a metal pier, which funny enough I’m putting that  up today.  He is willing to take on other jobs for me.

    So I’d phone around simple plans or photographs to work from is all that is usually required.

    Good luck,

    Eric

    in reply to: New Starlight Xpress spectrometer #582904
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Callum thanks for bringing this to our attention.  Spectroscopy is something I’d like to venture into next year.

    The french Shelyak  range of spectroscopes seem to be the ones favored by many.  The new automated range by starlight Xpress, which apparently will be announced in a couple of days,   appear seems to be a comprehensive all in one instrument at a good price.  However, I don’t know enough to make a sound judgement.  It would be good to have a comparative review or at least some comments by the experienced users.

    Eric 

    in reply to: Carbon fiber tube OTA skeleton tube #582848
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Thanks guys for your replies.  I think what I shall do is select short lengths of various candidates and try them on one former and see how they workout.  Thicker walls may be the way to go.  I’m not too worried about the surfaces being cosmetically spoiled   its just whether they would crack or fail.

    in reply to: -3.4 southeast fireball #582571
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Ernie,

    Indeed a different world then.

    whereabouts are you situated?

    There’s plenty up there soon be another along.

    Eric

    in reply to: -5.4 exploding fireball #582557
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Ernie, the details of that object are on the image. can’t locate original thread.  Nick also caught this one. I’m pleased that this thread has made you re-join the BAA. I have recently had my 50 yrs of continuous membership acknowledged.

    It may be better to locate the original post and carry out any discussions  of this object  there to avoid confusion.

    Eric

    in reply to: Meteor LiveStream #582531
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Evening John,

    It’s working fine for me and a great idea.  Now I can see for sure that my setup is far too noisy and needs moving outside.

    Eric

    in reply to: Meteor LiveStream #582528
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Evening John,

    It’s working fine for me and a great idea.  Now I can see for sure that my setup is far too noisy and needs moving outside.

    Eric

    in reply to: -5.4 exploding fireball #582484
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Thanks to Nick for making use of my data with his to provide a better ground track position.  It was good to see the actual end result.

    in reply to: -5.4 exploding fireball #582477
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Evening Nick,

    I’ll send you the  .csv file for that night directly to you

    Thanks, Eric

    in reply to: -5.4 exploding fireball #582472
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Nick,

    I’d be happy to forward the data to you.  Which of the files from UFO analyser do you need.

    Eric

    Eric

    in reply to: -5.4 exploding fireball #582449
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Well done Michael,  I have my radio detector disconnected for the past few weeks. I have it working but really now need to fix it outside the house away from interference .  I need some more guidance on how to use it and in interpreting what I see.

    Eric

    in reply to: -5.4 exploding fireball #582447
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Indeed it does Janice, the flight path puts it over the QE II Bridge.

    Eric

    in reply to: -3.4 southeast fireball #582425
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Well done Nick.  I thought you may have done comparing camera coverage.  I think Peter Carson may have as well.

    Hopefully, others may have as well and more details could be determined regarding it’s flight path and orbit.

    Eric

    in reply to: automated roll of roof observatory #582368
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Thanks Andy,

    I’ve seen some of those, but it seemed as if they were more professional commercial  set ups for remote observatories and expensive.  Looking for something more DIY

    in reply to: Huge atmospheric experiment starting #582118
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Likewise Peter, I’m seeing a significant reduction in aeroplane captures on my meteor camera.  Can but hope for some improvement in general seeing conditions.

    Eric

    in reply to: AE 12″ Newt/Cass telescope -Mirror separation #582073
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi,

    with further assistance from Martin and ES Reid ( maker of mirrors for AE) together with using the Cassegrain equations and comparing to the existing Newtonian set up the problem has been resolved.  Answer being 45″  with a little tweaking when compared to images if necessary.

    Thanks if you took some time to give this your attention.

    regards,

    Eric

    in reply to: Telescope Insurance #581940
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Paul,  I use Glover and Howe of Colchester, Essex.   http://www.gloverhowe.co.uk  they insure both professional and amatuer photographers and amateur astronomers.

    When I was shopping around I found that when the value of equipment was known and that it would be stored either inside the house or outside in a purpose built building the insurers would not include it on the normal household contents.  I have heard that some people do, but I couldn’t get my C14 edge, and Paramount MEII and CCD plus. Hence I used Glover and Howe.

    Hope this helps

Viewing 20 posts - 41 through 60 (of 138 total)