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Posted by Michael Foylan at 21:38 on 2012 Jun 29
Many thanks Denis and Martin for the advice and the website links. Certainly seems to be an interesting area of research that amateur astronomers could be involved in and contribute valuable scientific data.I certainly know a number of amateur astronomers that would be interested in getting involved in this area of research and willing to cooperate with our fellow British amateur astronomers on specific comets. I wouldnt think such work is fundamentally different from asteroid photometry, arguably somewhat more tricky, the main differences I guess is that comets themselves maybe diffuse and extended in nature and perhaps an amateur may need to learn new software and techniques for worthy end results.Like other amateur astronomers undertaking asteroid astrometric and photometric measurements a variety of software can be utilised, I find MPO Canopus, Mira-Pro, Astrometrica and TheSky6 Pro / CCDSoft combo very useful in this regard, I guess software such as listed may be used by many an astronomer on this forum. Such work would indeed challenge those amateurs that wish to bring their astronomy to the next level. When I first took on the challenge of obtaining an observatory code I thought this is too difficult, but perseverance and some help ended in a positive result, I had the same thoughts about measuring asteroid light curves but that too proved to be a very positive and indeed enjoyable experience (I must give credit to Mr. Roger Dymocks book; Asteroids and Dwarf Planets and How to Observe Them that really sparked me into doing such work). I guess what I am trying to say is that such undertakings is achievable by many amateur astronomers here that are keen to take on a challenge but is all the more easier because of the knowledge and help on offer by the BAA. Best wishes and clear skiesMikeCherryvalley Observatory (IAU Code: I83)PS; thanks Martin, I have just ordered your book!
Posted by Paul A Brierley at 18:51 on 2012 Jun 29
Thank you Dennis.This display did look very minor. It’s the first time that I have seen NLC. And now I know what to look for. It will give me something to do during these light nights.
Posted by Denis Buczynski at 18:04 on 2012 Jun 29
Hi Paul,My wife Liz tells me that she saw a minor display of NLC around midnight BST in the N and NW sky. Only a few thin slver blue wisps, not as distinct as other displays we have seen here this seasonat Portmahomack in NE Scotland at +58d N.Denis Buczynski
Posted by D A Dunn at 17:32 on 2012 Jun 28
I am living in France and have come to think that I will need to build one from scratch. I have just retired so hopefully I will now have time to get on with it! I will let you know how it goes.David
Posted by Martin Mobberley at 15:22 on 2012 Jun 28
Hi Mike,I’m always reluctant to blatantly plug a book I’ve written, but asCallum wondered if I’d like to comment, well, Chapter 14 in my book’Hunting and Imaging Comets’ does cover this topic…..However, Denis has already pretty much answered your questionalready….. To go into great detail, well, it’s a bit of a minefieldto be honest, but, as Denis says, CARA (Italians) and Mark Kidger’sSpanish group are the experts…..However, their techniques varyconsiderably, with the Italian group requiring mainly precise, filteredwork and Mark’s group using a more user-friendly approach which lessadvanced amateurs will prefer……Hope this is of some use…..Regards,Martin
Posted by Denis Buczynski at 14:45 on 2012 Jun 28
Hi Mike,Good question. Yes there are other amateurs in the BAA Comet Section who are interested in undertaking this type of CCD observing. We are going to cover this subject at a Comet section meeting in the Spring 2013. At present I know that Roger Dymock one of our regular contributors does submit comet photometry to both the CARA (Italian group) project and to Mark Kidger’s Spanish group. Also that Nick James is currently looking at the details of setting up such an observing project for the BAA Comet Section. You may want to look at both these groups webpages: http://cara.uai.it/ http://www.eso.org/~hukaufl/DI_TALKS/kidger_amateur_photom.pdfSo in conclusion, yes we are interested as a group in becoming involved with this type of CCD comet observing and would welcome anyone interested in letting us know of that interest.Denis BuczynskiSecretary BAA Comet Section
Posted by Paul A Brierley at 11:57 on 2012 Jun 25
Although this isn’t strictly a roll off roof observatory.But the SkyPod appears to be a very attractive design at the moment.
Posted by A R Pratt at 13:30 on 2012 Jun 24
To complete this thread I should mention that my observatory was delivered last Wednesday.Nick (Alexanders Observatories) arrived at 8:15 am and the 8′ x 8′ unit was fully installed by 3:15 pm.A lot of the components were pre-assembled, but it took a full 7 hours to complete the installation, with Nick taking endless cups of tea as he worked almost non-stop. He works on his own, so it was useful that I could help him with unloading his van and the installation tasks.He only does installations on dry days, firstly to keep your obs from getting wet before it’s fully assembled, and secondly to keep his numerous tools in good condition, such as saws, power drill, stapler gun, etc..He has had problems with his e-mail, so the best ways to contact him are by letter and mobile ‘phone. I placed my order last November, so installation last week was a realisitic time-scale, considering the current ‘drought’ conditions. Alex.
Posted by Andrea Tasselli at 12:17 on 2012 Jun 18
Hi Richard,Nope. The window of opportunity was already shrinking fast and the weather, well was in line with the best british traditions :)Let’s see if the weatern elongation is any better.Andrea T.
Posted by Paul A Brierley at 19:26 on 2012 Jun 17
These are very good for a fast Newtonian.Did you use a barlow to increase focal length and image size?
Posted by Richard Miles at 22:46 on 2012 Jun 16
Nice compilation Andrea. The images show a very marked albedo variation in the atmosphere – they look good on my monitor. Did you manage any other shots after April 24?Richard
Posted by Gary Poyner at 15:49 on 2012 Jun 08
Birmingham was pretty much the same as other places. Heavy cloud which broke up and gave good views of the Sun – two minutes after the end of the event! I did see it whilst standing on my windy hill however – on my phone from a live feed from Kyoto University :-)Gary
Posted by David Mottershead at 16:21 on 2012 Jun 06
Sadly, here in Manchester, (and at other sites around my area) it was totally clouded out, so I was unable to see the transit. Ah well, better make a note in my calendar for the next one ?[/size]
Posted by A R Pratt at 15:34 on 2012 Jun 06
I watched the NASA web broadcasts for an hour up to about 00:30 BST last night, then got up to see the last 2 hours of the transit broadcasts.Some interesting reports from Hawaii, Alaska, Mount Wilson,Norway, Australia, including a showing of the broadcasts in Much Hoole church (Jeremiah Horrocks) and Owen Gingerich using an Alvan Clark refractor on Mount Wilson. I saved a few screenshots.Mist and cloud here this morning, so no chance to see my 2nd transit of Venus, although there is a transit of Mercury on 2016 May 9, visible from the UK. Alex.
Posted by Paul A Brierley at 06:45 on 2012 Jun 05
I noticed that tonight’s Horizon, is dedicated to the transit.If anybody has the Radio Times. Have you seen the blunder they have made.There’s a nice picture off three ladies staring up at the SUN, with what looks like, Sun glasses! But I suspect these are eclipse glasses.What I find worrying. Is the message it gives to none astronomy types who will assume, it’s OK to look at the Sun and Venus through Sun Glasses.
Posted by Grant Privett at 01:09 on 2012 Jun 05
Much safer to project on to a screen and then photograph the screen. If you make sure you have a clean screen and a decent depth of field (higher f ratio) you can get a decent image even though you will not be perfectly on axis. You can later rescale the image as necessary to restore the Suns shape to circular. I used this approach very successfully in 2004.Why take risks when theres no need to? You only get one set of eyes.
Posted by Martin Mobberley at 10:05 on 2012 Jun 04
Nick,Under *NO CIRCUMSTANCES* should you ever observe the Sun directly withoutthe appropriate solar filters. The chances of permanent eye damage arevery high indeed and even experienced observers have damaged theireyesight in the past. The Sun brightens rapidly as it clears thehorizon and you cannot see the IR/UV radiation so have no idea whatdamage is being done. Many have made these mistakes before…..The BAA observer J.Hedley Robinson’s accident is just one example.Projection is the only 100% safe method and a black cloth overobserver and screen will help increase contrast in such dimconditions. As far as photography is concerned the usual safe solarfilters should be used. If the image is too dim, try longerexposures. If the image is still too dim you should blank offthe visual viewfinder with tape and not use it, just looking atthe LCD screen if you remove the filters. Looking thru a visualviewfinder at the Sun will also trash your eyesight. If you justlook at an LCD screen in such a situation, you may wreck the camerabut not your eyes………..The bottom line is, NEVER, EVER, observe the Sun direct thru anytelescope, or with the naked eye, or thru a camera viewfinder, evenwhen it’s close to the horizon.As I say, even experienced observers have damaged their eyesighttrying this in the past….. It’s either projection, or observingwith solar filters, or photography while watching an LCD screen ora separate monitor. Martin>Apologies that this is duplcated under "Venus". Does anyone have advice about safe observing at sunrise please? I have a solar filter, and know how to project, but both seem inappropriate for observing this transit. For a few minutes direct low power observation? For photos, straightforward telephoto use of the camera? Help! Nick Hudd <
Posted by Steve Holmes2 at 14:25 on 2012 May 18
I have now posted my follow-up remarks to the BBC. Had to be another complaint, I’m afraid, as you only get 350 words for a "comment"! (1500 with a complaint). Even so, I had to abbreviate my full thoughts somewhat.The text is attached below:- (Word97 format) [file name=BBC_Complaint3.doc size=20992]/images_old/fbfiles/files/BBC_Complaint3.doc[/file]Let’s see what that brings forth – if anything.
Posted by Callum Potter at 15:23 on 2012 May 15
Hello Alex,thanks for note.It is a very good point that with the low Sun, and perhaps some cloud on the horizon there might be a temptation to view the Sun through the cloud with an unfiltered telescope. But this would be a very risky thing to do – even a fraction of second break in the cloud could let enough IR through to permanently damage your eyesight.I think I will expand on this on the Observing section of the page.Best, Callum
