Eric Watkins

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Viewing 20 posts - 81 through 100 (of 136 total)
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  • in reply to: Meteor back scatter radio antenna #580655
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi Robin,

    yes it would be for the Graves transmitter.  I came across a US site about 18 months ago, but can’t find it again where they provided similar antenna which the supplier would tune to the exact frequency.  Is this necessary?

    Yes these do appear to be what I’m looking for.

    Eric

    in reply to: Sky and Telescope #580594
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    I too had an unbroken chain of S & T since the early 80’s + a good cover of back magazines.  However, about 3 years ago I deliberately gave up subscription. Contents were becoming so trivial and uninspiring with regard to amateur projects. At one time I would read it cover to cover many times, but I was finding that I read quickly through it over breakfast coffee and never looked at it again, also true of many of the current crop of amateur mags which may go the same way for me.

    Eric 

    in reply to: Guidance / Help on funding MSc #580512
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Andrew,

    I did a taught part time astronomy  Msc  at Uni Herts, during the late 1990’s which had a time limit of between 2 and 5 years, hence costs could be spread if needed. Also, course fees where far more reasonable and value for money. I then went on to do a part-time PhD at the same Uni with Nail Tanvir. I was able to get paid experiment/observatory student classes and marking. I was also offered some teaching which I turned down, by then I was well integrated with both the staff and other post-grads.  I also became an associate lecturer for a maths course  with the OU.  This Phd was still costed at the MSc price and good value for money.  Due to a serious chronic illness and hospitalisation  I had to withdraw from the course.  Four years ago I began a new part time PhD at South Wales for which costs had significantly risen.  Most likely there would have been the possibility of paid tutoring or lecturing within the department.  Unfortunately, the whole astronomy department and courses was closed and the provisions made for me to continue were unsatisfactory -maybe you can sense the bitterness.

    At public libraries you can find a reference book of charities that do provide financial assistance, but such help is often small amounts for books or travel, though via the local museum we have the John Ray award for natural science (biology) which is substantial.

    Some ideas for you.

    Good luck, Eric

    in reply to: Apollo 8 observations – Sky and Telescope #580433
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    though I did not see the Apollo 8 event I do vividly recall seeing the Apollo 12 event from a bedroom window..  This had been a predicted naked eye event.  I dare say many others saw it also.

    Incidentally,  the same window from which I had my first telescopic view of the plant Mercury

    Eric

    in reply to: Windows Free Zone #580344
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Paul,

    I’ve sent an email to your gmail address regarding a free virtual machine package of various astronomy software configured to work and is described in this years proceedings of the Society for Astronomical Sciences (SAS).  Includes, DAPHOT, IRAF, PYRAF, AIJ various spectroscopy software and  a stand alone photometry package.

     Looks very useful.

    Eric

    in reply to: Windows 7 upgrade #580317
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Jack,

    If you already havn’t done so you could make a library of hot pixels that can be used in conjunction with the library of darks.  Cleans up the images and removes false hot pixels which could be mistakenly guided on.

    Eric

    in reply to: ARPS section meetings #580242
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Roger,

    that would certainly be welcome, particularly if one has to make a choice between simultaneous sessions.

    Eric

    in reply to: Windows 7 upgrade #580228
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Jack on your ascom properties enable tracking offsets, you will then find, that the greyed out box below it comes alive and you can enable pulse guiding box.  PhD should work then if you have also configured that correctly.

    Eric

    in reply to: Finding the Centre of Gravity. #580074
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    How about suspending it with  loop of rope around the ‘tube above a carpeted floor or cushion just enough to allow movement of the loop to the C of G balance point.

    Eric

    in reply to: New RCB star in Cam – call for photometry/spectroscopy #579965
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    I imaged this a few nights ago ( I think I got the fov, but pointing played up). I’m getting around to checking the image this evening.

    I will let you know.

    Eric

    in reply to: A most unusual meteor spectrum #579945
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi Bill,

    your observation just prompted me to wonder if any ” orbiting space junk” has had it’s spectra captured on a burn up re-entry?

    Eric

    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Michael,

     I’ll be in touch during September I expect.

    Eric

    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Michael,

    I will be setting up a video camera for meteor capture and spectroscopy this autumn.

    Is there any possibility that the meeting could be video recorded for those who would like to attend, but are unable too.

    Thanks,

    Eric

    in reply to: Roll-off observatory runners/wheels. #579768
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi Dennis,

    just following up on your recommendation on wheels and track.

    I’ve looked at the site the wheels come in three sizes and at the price you quote I would think these are the 50mm diameter V wheels. The other diameters being 60mm and 78 mm  se

    https://www.rollingcenter.co.uk/electric-gate-hardware/sliding/wheels/rolling-center-518-pcv-v-groove-wheel-closed-support-1-bearing-50x19mm

    My Observatory is 3.6 x 4.2 m. with a Pent roof which is felted. Based on your experience which sized wheel would you recommend.

    The track you mentioned has a round rather than inverted V guide.  Does this except the V groove wheels.

    Many thanks,

    Eric

    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    It seems the sensible way to go.  Efforts, enthusiasm and time  are better spent on getting a programme and hence data acquisition  up and running asap.

    Eric

    in reply to: Upright supports for rool off roof out-runners #579746
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi Dennis,

    just an alternative idea I had looking at the two supports I had in the shed.

    Indeed I had thought of your suggestion  also and may still go that way as I can build another structure in this otherwise dead space using these wooden up rights.  Pricing Works out the same by the time timber is added.  I will need at least 4. 

    I’d also like to motorise the roll off roof with sliding gate rack and pinion mechanism.  Any recommendations for a particular unit also wheels and track system.  Roof is 4.2 x 3.6 m.

    in reply to: Upright supports for rool off roof out-runners #579745
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi Dennis,

    just an alternative idea I had looking at the two supports I had in the shed.

    Indeed I had thought of your suggestion  also and may still go that way as I can build another structure in this otherwise dead space using these wooden up rights.  Pricing Works out the same by the time timber is added.  I will need at least 4. 

    I’d also like to motorise the roll off roof with sliding gate rack and pinion mechanism.  Any recommendations for a particular unit also wheels and track system.  Roof is 4.2 x 3.6 m.

    in reply to: BAA Council response to Exoplanet Section proposal #579638
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Roger,

    thanks for the update.

    There is some merit in the Council’s response concerning the longevity of a new section  and the useful work that could be carried out on some of the suggested topics.

    My own interests would be with the filtered photometry  and modelling  of light curves and temporal changes i.e. TTV, subtle changes in the light curve.  I also happen to think that collaboration with professionals with regard to ongoing missions, TESS, TWINKLE whilst interesting will not sustain a new section for long because it is externally driven.  Far better to be involved directly in assisting a professional with observations of particular targets.  Recent correspondence assures me that there are very competent observers from whom we could construct our own observing programmes centered on   particular targets and produce valuable results.

    Regards,

    Eric

    in reply to: Roy Panther #579376
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi Gary,

    No I didn’t watch the whole programme.  Pleasing to know that he did get credit for it.

    Eric

    in reply to: Suspect Supernova M108? #579372
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Paul,

    just checked an image on Wikipedia and the images match-no SN.

    Cheers,

    Eric

Viewing 20 posts - 81 through 100 (of 136 total)