Eric Watkins

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Viewing 20 posts - 101 through 120 (of 138 total)
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  • 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

    in reply to: Suspect Supernova M108? #579369
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Thanks Paul, mystery solved it would seem.

    Eric

    in reply to: Suspect Supernova M108? #579366
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Following my earlier posts I have attached a couple of my images.  The foreground star is obvious, however, linear stretching reveals a fainter star close to this foreground star that gets lost in the glare of the brighter star.  I’ve not yet checked to see if this is normal in other archived images.

    Images taken on 2018-04-20  @ 02:37 and 02:21 hrs Ut  Unfiltered @ 60sec and 20 sec exposure respectively.

    Using C14 edge F:7.7, QSI 532 CCD camera, binned 3×3

    I also have V filtered images should they be required.

    Regards,

    Eric

    in reply to: Suspect Supernova M108? #579362
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    P.S.

    Apologies I used a  Celestron 14 edge + paramount MEII + QSI532

    Eric

    in reply to: Suspect Supernova M108? #579361
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi Adam,

    After reading your post I managed several  images of M108  no filter at 60 and 30 sec and with a V filter at 60 sec at about 02.00-0230 UT on 2018-04-20

    If you are referring to the bright centre (forground) star then this appears in images I’ve quickly looked at and  hence do not think there is any urgency and  will delay processing until later today as I’m far too tired now.

    Eric (Essex, UK)

    in reply to: Observing the planets #579341
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Ian, further to martin’s excellent advice.  Try visiting a local astronomical society on one of their open evenings.  My local society holds monthly meetings when society members bring along their telescopes to view whats on offer in the sky for members of the public.  If your lucky telescopes similar to what your considering may well be available to look through together with an experienced observer providing some initial instruction.

    Regards,

    Eric

    in reply to: JD to BJD convertion #579273
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi John,

    the free software AstroImageJ;

      ( http://www.astro.louisville.edu/software/astroimagej/ )

    does have a facility within it’s  DP converter page that provides BJD time either on board or tick a box and it supplies the time from the uni of Ohio site mentioned on other earlier reply.  Some useful instructions and manual provided by Denis Conti at;

    http://www.astrodennis.com/

    However, the accuracy is to 5 dp and 6 respectively and you will have to set the DP converter to your site and target’s RA and DEC and be sure to always update the leap second tab before use.

    Regards,  Eric

    in reply to: Condensation in Roll Off Roof Sheds #579053
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Grant,

    I still have a 13′ x x12′ roll of roof observatory with such a roof.  I used well painted hardboard sheets nailed to timber for the walls.  It’s still standing and was used for over 20 years and fell into some disrepair as a result of long standing serious illness.

    I did find that during the summer the interior got very warm and equipment took some time to cool down.  Condensation was never a problem.

    I now have 2.7 metre dome on top of a wooden construction for which the dome and metal work (including telescope) suffer from condensation for which I use de-humidifiers that solve the problem.

    Regards,

    Eric

    in reply to: Meteor Camera Software #578999
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi Eliot,

    I’d be interested to hear how you get on as I’d like to have a goat setting up a system in a few months time.

    Eric

    in reply to: Geminids 2017 #578941
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Bill,

    An impressive short film  that captivates what can be done and why I’m very interested in getting into this area of research this coming Spring.

    Regards,Eric

    in reply to: Graves loss of signal #578907
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    William,

    thanks for the info.  I have the same DIY instructions for making the antenna.  Time is really lacking at the moment. The ready constructed source is useful, I’ll see if I can get one to match the DIY specs for radio back scatter.

    Eric

    in reply to: Graves loss of signal #578903
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    This is an area I’d like to get involved with and introduce my nephew too and set up a double radio back scatter meteor detection  station for comparison.

    I know that the aerial  can be made up, but I haven’t the time at the moment.  Can an effective aerial be purchased for radio back scatter detection of meteors or if their might be any members who could make one up for a suitable “donation”?

    Thanks,

    Eric

    in reply to: Meteor Spectra 2017 Nov – I87 Astroshot Observatory #578828
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi Bill,

    yes I fully intend to.  I gathered some info on equipment etc.  Just need to check that this hasn’t changed i.e. improved cameras.  Will try to get a system up and running early in the new year.

    Eric

    in reply to: Meteor Spectra 2017 Nov – I87 Astroshot Observatory #578804
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Well done.  This is a field I’m determined to get into next year.

    The more results I see the more encouraged I am to do so.

    Eric

    in reply to: Well here it is – the new Obsy #578777
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Tony,

    where did you get your pier from?  Looks substantial and I’m looking for one for my Paramount ME II.  Their offer is ridiculously priced.

    Cheers

    Eric

    in reply to: Well here it is – the new Obsy #578747
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Yes Tony,  there will be a fair bit of weight in the roof, hence trying alternatives to felt.  If the weight of the roof does become too much to easily move then I shall consider using some form pulley system of motorization  via automatic gates system.

    Erioc

    in reply to: Well here it is – the new Obsy #578741
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    That looks a good job Tony I’m in the process of building a 4.2m x 3.6 m roll  off  housing an 16″ F:6 Newt/ME  as a 2nd observatory to my domed C14 Edge/MEII.

    Could you provide the details of the roofing material you used-I’m looking for something other than felt

    in reply to: UK Location of best number of clear nights and seeing #578594
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Thanks Grant,

    I’ve managed to find a met office site that has cloud date over 25Km square grid pattern.  I’ll register with the site and see what they have.

    Eric

    in reply to: UK Location of best number of clear nights and seeing #578592
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Thanks Grant,

    Cloud coverage tables would be useful.  An area I had looked at is the South West cost peninsular of Pembrokeshire- Dale through to Tenby, but it’s surprising how much of an effect the lights of Pembroke power station and the gas terminals of Milford Haven light up the sky.  I was born there and can recall from early childhood a fair bit of rain, but there  are stretches that have their own micro climate.

    I have also been considering the south west.

    Until recently I had thought of Spain or Italy, but with the advent of Brexit, that’s a non-starter.

    I’ve not even had a mediocre night at my present location for a couple of months.

    Eric

Viewing 20 posts - 101 through 120 (of 138 total)