Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Hi Robin,
That is an interesting idea about spectroscopy.
There does not appear to be a ‘no filter’ option. Either VIS (430-650nm), Astro (430-690nm), or Duo band (H-alpha and OIII). It does not look like modification to remove a filter would be straightforward.
Best wishes,
AndyIt is impressive what this little scope managed. I will gradually try some harder targets to see how it handles them.
I have added images of the Sun and Moon to the gallery.
https://britastro.org/observations/observation.php?id=20250317_121906_068460f96a587c0d
https://britastro.org/observations/observation.php?id=20250317_122120_ed54a2b52dca88f9
It obviously lacks resolution compared to longer focal lengths and larger apertures, though I think it does a decent job.
I worked out how to copy the FITS files onto my computer. This includes the original raw files, and the stacked image created by the Dwarf. That is a really nice best of both worlds approach. It has a timelapse function, that might be interesting for some variable stars, to avoid taking hundreds of images to process over an extended period. My main aim is to use it for Deep Sky, and variable stars will be an added bonus if it works.
Thanks,
AndyHi Ken,
I expect you have already done this, but I thought I would mention it just in case. Where there is an unexpected difference in the intensity between two lines, my first thought is to check the response correction. Not just whether you have good confidence in your own spectrum, but also the one you were supplied with. I imagine the response correction would have to be obtained at night by a observing a star, with the spectrograph in the same configuration as the daytime solar spectrum.
Sorry I am not able to provide a spectrum.
Best wishes,
AndyThat link actually points to a high resolution solar spectrum by me (taken through a solar filter, not of the sky) though unfortunately although it covers H beta it does not cover Na D
Cheers
RobinThank you for pointing out my mistake Robin, now corrected.
I had been checking what solar spectra we had in the BAA database, as well as Europa, and I copied the wrong link.
Cheers,
AndyI suspect part of the issue is this is a very specific request, so there will be at best a handful of BAA members in a position to make the observation. A required spectral resolution rather than a specific spectrograph could open it up to a few more observers. Also, when I was doing spectroscopy with an LHIRES III, I would leave it set at H-alpha, so I could be as efficient as possible at acquiring data by requiring only one setup and calibration set.
We do have a spectrum of Europa in the BAA database, but it is low resolution with an R value of 564.
https://britastro.org/specdb/data_graph.php?obs_id=12734&obs_validated=&obs_observer_id=HAL&r_c=1&f_c=0&o_comment=&plot=PlotA minor point, but it can be helpful to be more specific in the forum post title. So people visiting the website know a bit more about what you are after without opening the post. Hence, Jeremy’s suggestion to make your enquiry about de-forking your Meade 12″ on a new thread.
Best wishes,
AndyIt was fantastic to see Michael Woodman in person, and really great that many members of his family were able to attend the presentation of his Butterworth Award.
While it is a shame not to have consistency, I think in general it is a good policy to give Observing Sections as much autonomy as possible. The Observing Sections are the heart of the BAA, and are run by experts in their field doing world class observing and research.
The Variable Star Section is a good example of why it can be useful to make a Circular public. I know that professional astronomers read it. If it were behind a pay wall then that might not happen. Having the professional researchers read the Circular benefits the members who contribute to the Section.Hi Nick,
You need to be logged into the website to download the Solar Section Newsletters. I suspect that if you login then that will solve the problem.
https://britastro.org/document_folder/baa-document-store/sections/solar-section
Best wishes,
AndyI have a 250mm Mewlon. To solve a problem with condensation on the main mirror, I wrap a dew heater band around the back of the scope, near the main mirror cell. During the winter months I leave it on constantly at a low level, turning it off before observing. I have found this works well at preventing any moisture from forming on the optical surfaces or within the telescope tube. It only uses a tiny amount of power.
I also have a tube heater, something like 60W or 80W, set on a timer in the winter. This gives just a little heat to the observatory, but did not stop condensation within the optical tube.
I have a wooden roll off roof observatory.
AndyHi Paul,
With a Digital Subscription you receive everything digitally, including the Handbook. The difference in price between Digital and Paper subscriptions is the cost of printing a posting both the Journals and the Handbook.
Here is the link to the Handbook archive.
https://britastro.org/document_folder/baa-document-store/the-baa-archives/baa-handbooksBest wishes,
AndyThank you all!
I have received official notification of the award of my PhD, after the minor corrections to my thesis were accepted.
I don’t expect anyone to read it, but I thought I would use this opportunity to provide a link to my thesis at the University of Exeter online portal http://hdl.handle.net/10871/137743I think a coalition of organisations with a shared interest in reducing light pollution is an excellent idea. While the CfDS could campaign purely on astronomical grounds, this won’t be important to many people and politicians. Joining forces with others who see the problems of light pollution from other perspectives will strengthen the case for change.
There is no mention of involvement with ‘climate activist’ groups or anything that is likely to be picked up by media as activism. I think you would find the majority of wildlife campaign groups go about their activities in a law abiding way, trying to engage with people rather than causing confrontation. That is certainly how our local wildlife group goes about their work. In fact we had a talk on light pollution this week.Hi Gordon,
I know what you mean, lugging a heavy telescope outside can put me off observing.
Assuming you are using your Televue for visual observing, I wonder if an altazimuth mount would be lighter? You can get manual or ones that track sufficiently for visual observing. Some of the tripods themselves can still be a little heavy, though the whole package should be lighter than an equatorial mount.
The latest smart telescopes look very interesting. I am contemplating buying one of the lighter models. Of course the observing experience will be different. They specialise in Deep Sky targets and none are good for planets. Most can observe the Moon and Sun, though only the full disc.
Best wishes,
AndyMany thanks to WOLAS. The local society I joined many decades ago when my interest in astronomy began.
AndyThe ‘explainable’ bit means it is not a black box. With many kinds of machine learning, you don’t know the precise details of how the input data are transformed into the outputs. I used naive Bayes, which is basically maths. So you can trace the output back through the calculations to the inputs. This means the results can be explained and fully understand in terms of the input data. For my research it means I can understand why a particular object was classed as a young star, or as some other kind of object.
Thanks,
AndyMany thanks for all of the kind words.
Yes, this means I will become a ‘professional astronomer’, a three year position as a ‘Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Astrophysics’. Early career astronomy researchers typically work at a variety of institutions or countries on two to three year contracts with specific research goals.
My research will involve examining spectra taken by the William Herschel Telescope. The main part of my PhD was identifying candidate young stars, using photometry in the optical and infrared. The WHT will obtain follow up spectra for several thousand of these candidate young stars. These spectra will allow me to confirm or refute their nature as young stars.
Best wishes,
AndyMany thanks.
The experience of doing photometry and spectroscopy, learning from fellow BAA members has been invaluable. Both helping with my application to do a PhD, and when it came to analysing observational data. The knowledge I gained from being a member of the Variable Star Section has been especially beneficial to my research into young stars. They are highly variable, and some other types of variable star can share observational features with young stars, so a broad knowledge has been very useful.
I am fortunate to have a 3 year postdoc in star formation starting next month. Then I will switch from being a part-time to a full-time researcher.
Best wishes,
AndyHi Mike,
The team is composed of very experienced spectroscopists active on the spectroscopy forums, so they probably knew of the nova about the same time as Jeremy. Collaborations tend to be by BAA members on observing campaigns and other projects. In fact many of our spectroscopists are active across a variety of international projects.
Cheers,
Andy (with my BAA Spectroscopy Database Manager hat on)
