Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Hello Paul,
as Andy says, you have an excellent set up for carrying out CCD observations of variables. For several years, I used a 100 mm refractor for doing just that. I know from the quality of your CCD images you have posted that you are well placed to pursue variable star work if you wish.
Do have a look at the info on the VSS web site (there is a PDF document “The New Variable Star Section CCD Target List” at http://www.britastro.org/vss/VSS_CCD_Target_list2_20110401.pdf if you are looking for targets).
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
All the best,
Jeremy
Robin has hit the nail on the head. Members’ Pages were developed to allow members to share their particular interest in astronomy with others. It could be images, drawings, sites of historical interest they have visited or it could also be a short narrative. Part of the aim is to help to bring about a sense of community among fellow BAA members. Hence, we don’t want to be too restrictive as to format and content. However, this is not an archive of observations. That’s why it’s so important to continue to submit observations to the Section Directors – this will ensure they are properly stored and analysed.
Jeremy
Hello Denis,
the date is in the December Journal and the BAA Meetings Card: June 24 at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
All the best,
Jeremy
Looks fine now David – thanks for updating.
Many thanks to Steve Cuthbert, too, for updating your name.
All the best,
Jeremy
Hello Denis,
You raise an important point and one which the BAA website operations team discussed recently. One of our aims in establishing the BAA Members Pages is to create a sense of community among BAA members. It would certainly help in achieving that aim if people could use their real names.
When I first signed up for the BAA website years ago, I simply registered myself as “Jeremy”. Recently, I realised this was less than helpful when it comes to Members pages (and Forum postings for that matter).
Fortunately, it’s quite easy to update your name (I now appear as “Jeremy Shears”). Simply click the “Edit account details” button on your Members Page. This will then take you to your profile page. Near the bottom is a box which says “Full name”, with the explanation “Enter your full name, as you wish it to appear around the website (for example when you post to our forum). In order that other BAA members know who they’re talking to, please do not use nicknames or aliases”.
It would be great if people could update their names in this way.
All the best,
Jeremy
Hello David,
if you go to Members Pages, click “Search by category”. You then get a list of categories: Sun, Moon, Mercury etc. Clicking on a category name will then display entries in date order for that category.
All the best,
Jeremy
Hello Nick,
thinking about this again, I do remember a bit more condensation in the first year after installation of the observatory. I suspected that some moisture was coming out of the concrete base upon which the dome sits. I gave it several coats of concrete sealant paint which stopped that – I put another layer down every couple of years, just to be sure (and to give it a nice aesthetic finish!). I also made sure the join between the bottom fibreglass flange and the concrete base is properly sealed with exterior grade door sealant. I renew this periodically, again just to be sure.
All the best,
Jeremy
Hello Nick,
I have a Pulsar observatory too, as you can see in the photo on the left! I also get some condensation on the inside of the dome, but only really when I am out there using it. I haven’t done anything about it as it has usually gone by the next day. No detrimental effects after 12 years. I have thought about a dehumidifier, like Andy uses, but I fear the electricity bill – there is quite a large airflow through/around the dome.
All the best,
Jeremy
Yes, absolutely Tom. All the data can be sent to the VSS. One of the main programmes is to measure accurate times of minimum for eclipsing binaries, this in turn shows whether the period of the system is evolving. All interesting astrophysics!
I hope you’ll give it a try.
All the best
Jeremy
Hello Tom,
there is info on DSLR photometry on the Variable Star Section website. Under Observational Programmes, click on Eclipsing. On the page you will see a link to a JBAA paper by Des Loughney.
All the best
Jeremy
PS I enjoyed visiting your own BAA Members Page
Congatulations Robin, another great result!
I will be mentioning your work on spectroscopic confirmation of SNe during my Review of theYear at the AGM later
Jeremy
Glad to hear you find the Handbook useful, John.
For those who may also wish to download it, visit the Handbook page on britastro:
https://www.britastro.org/handbook You need to be logged into the web site to gain access.
All the best,
Jeremy
Dear Steve,
I think you are being a little unfair here. We cannot publish all letters in the Journal. This is made clear in the instructions to authors, which say: “The Journal maintains a lively Letters column and welcomes communications on any subject to do with astronomy, especially those of particular interest to amateurs. Please e-mail to the Editor ….. The Editor reserves the right to shorten or edit letters in the interests of clarity, brevity and style, and to reject material that she does not find significant or interesting. A maximum length of 350 words is recommended.”
The final decision must lie with the Editor and I don’t believe a tighter definition will help.
Kind regards,
Jeremy
Gary,
I am a bit late on this one, but was looking into something else and I came upon Dick Chambers’ write-up of the 1982 Winchester week-end which confirms that was indeed the year when Miss Caroline Herschel was present and “who most charmingly agreed to say a few words to an appreciative audience”. JBAA, vol 93(1), page 31 (1982).
I can understand how it must have made quite an impression on you. Sadly I wasn’t there.
All the best,
Jeremy
It’s great to see your work on spectroscopy of HR Lyr, Robin. Well done!
The system is indeed on the rise again as Gary has mentioned. It’s been C= 16.2-16.4 the last 3 nights.
It’s remarkable that such little spectroscopy has been done on this old nova – and others.
Best regards,
Jeremy
Hello Owen and Andy,
Thanks for your interest in the introduction of digital membership to the BAA and your enthusiastic support for the idea. I am glad you like it – and it’s good to hear the positive result that the Webb Society had, Owen. I have set up a team to look at the effective implementation of digital membership. It is very much the intention that we will be able to roll it out it to the wider membership.
I do want to reassure members who value receiving the printed Journal and Handbook, there is no intention of stopping them.
All the best,
Jeremy
