Melvyn Joslin

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  • in reply to: map of light pollution trends #621426
    Melvyn Joslin
    Participant

    Hello Giovanni. That is sad to hear about the light pollution around your home. 15 years ago I had the opportunity to stay with relations in Agerola, above the coast of Amalfi. I was so excited and just had to pack a telescope to take with me. On arrival I realized I should have left it at home. It was impossible to find anywhere to escape the glare of a light. They were coming at me from every conceivable direction. I have been back many times to spend time with family but no telescope is needed.

    in reply to: 2023 – how was it for you? #621161
    Melvyn Joslin
    Participant

    Thank you all. I can now slide roof on an off with my new set-up. It is working really well. Will make sure that the roof jamming problem is fixed later on with help from family. Needs spacers to raise roof around 12mm. It has just sunk over time.

    in reply to: 2023 – how was it for you? #621135
    Melvyn Joslin
    Participant

    Thank you for that Gary, it was very kind of you. It all happened so quickly and I saw stars that l have never seen before. I wanted to attend the Northampton meeting but with the train strike as well it was not to be, as I only use public transport now. I have attached eyelets and cable to to one end of roof. At the other end l have done the same but added two pullies for the extra length of cable to slide in. By placing the cable around my chest and under my arms, I can now walk the roof open from one end, and closed from the other. Just need the cloud to disappear. Stay alert in your observatories or you may see even more stars than I did.

    in reply to: 2023 – how was it for you? #621125
    Melvyn Joslin
    Participant

    The first four months were good and then disaster struck. On sliding open my heavy observatory roof my wet shoes slipped on the floor when the roof jammed. Came down on the telescope pier with my back, shoulder and elbow. Cracked bones and tore ligaments. Still cannot open and close roof on my own. Working on a solution to the problem. Hope to be back in action very soon.

    in reply to: Roger Pickard #621054
    Melvyn Joslin
    Participant

    I would like to thank Dr Shears for informing the VSS group of the passing of Roger Pickard. It is always sad when somebody reaches this time in their lives. Rodger helped me when I joined the section a few years ago and although I only met him on a few occasions he was a gentleman. Maybe Rodger wanted us to be informed in this way.

    in reply to: Can you identify this instrument? #585261
    Melvyn Joslin
    Participant

    It  looks very similar to something I have used in the past. When looking through the eyepiece a loop of wire is in focus and when a current is applied it glows red and the more current will turn it to orange then all the way to white hot. When placed in front or next to a heat source which in my case was a small furnace the wire would appear lighter or darker than the heat source. Then when a current was adjusted  you could match the colour perfectly and it would tell you the exact temp of the inside of a hydrogen furnace. This device may have worked in a similar fashion.

    in reply to: Cataclysmic variable #584823
    Melvyn Joslin
    Participant

    Have finally seen XM78HT at 14.8 on 21/10/2021 at 20.11 UT. Has anybody else in the BAA other than Nick James and myself made an observation. The moon being so close made observing so difficult but with our weather you just have to go for it when a chance arrives. Mel Joslin.

    in reply to: Cataclysmic variable #584812
    Melvyn Joslin
    Participant

    AAVSO Chart now has stars down to mag +15.8. Have not seen it yet due to weather but tonight may be the night.

    Mel Joslin.

    in reply to: Something interesting by M88 #581034
    Melvyn Joslin
    Participant

    Where has it gone. To my surprise l could not make visual contact with AL COM yesterday evening so tried to make contact with a DSLR and 120G but due to haze l had to keep exposure to 30s at 3200 iso. Imaged down to 15.7 but still no sign. Hope there is somebody out there who has made contact. Mel Joslin

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