Category Archives: Astronomy

Jupiter and Moons

Posted on September 27, 2011 by james

Since Jupiter is returning to our skies now I thought I’d take advantage of last Thursday’s clear-ish skies to do some imaging practice with my 127 Mak and SPC900. I’ve not been through all the clips I took with my … Continue reading →

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Google Sketchup on Ubuntu 11.04

Posted on September 13, 2011 by james

For designing the observatory I really needed something a bit more “touchy-feely” than pencil and paper — my usual method of designing bits and pieces I build. A few people had mentioned Google Sketchup, but it’s only available for Windows … Continue reading →

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Pier Tube Deliberations

Posted on September 13, 2011 by james

Before construction on the main structure of the observatory can start, I need to get the pier in place because this will be set into a concrete block in the ground under the floor. As I’ve said before, my aim … Continue reading →

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Observatory Build. The Big Idea.

Posted on September 12, 2011 by james

Since I’ve had my telescopes I’ve been very tempted to build an observatory. My preferred viewing site is some forty metres from the house which is a long way to carry kit (not to mention to trail power leads if … Continue reading →

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Observation Report catchup

Posted on September 12, 2011 by james

It has, IMNSHO, been a rubbish summer. Sunny days have been few and far between and according to the reports this August was the coldest for seventeen years. September isn’t turning out to be anything of an improvement either. So, … Continue reading →

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Observation Report, 19/8/2011

Posted on September 12, 2011 by james

We’ve had the occasional clear night since May, but mostly when the moon was very close to full, leaving little to observe except the moon itself, but last night was the first time I’ve been able to spent a significant … Continue reading →

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Observation Report 13/3/2011

Posted on March 14, 2011 by james

This week is apparently the best week this year for observing Mercury. It’s never going to be that high above the horizon once the sun sets, but now is about as good as it gets. I’ve never seen Mercury before, … Continue reading →

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Observation Report 7/3/2011

Posted on March 9, 2011 by james

It’s the 7th March. I received my first telescope — the ST80, for Christmas 2010. And tonight is the first really pin-sharp night sky we’ve had. I still haven’t sorted out the mount for the 127 Mak, so the ST102 … Continue reading →

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Observation Report 6/3/2011

Posted on March 9, 2011 by james

Another clear night, but again with unexceptional transparency. The more I go out the better I am getting at judging the quality of the seeing. I’ll still go out pretty much any night there are stars to be seen nonetheless. … Continue reading →

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Observation Report 4/3/2011

Posted on March 9, 2011 by james

Another less-than-brilliant night, seeing-wise. Clear skies, but poor transparency. This was my first time out with the 127 Mak which I’d temporarily bodged onto an EQ1 mount though, so I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity even though I did … Continue reading →

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