Category Archives: Articles

Two new ones for 2010

Just had two new publications for 2010 come through the post this morning – the Astronomy Now 2010 Yearbook & Patrick Moore’s 2010 Yearbook of Astronomy.  Why?  Because Noel & I managed to get an “Astronomy Now readers’ pictures of … Continue reading

Posted in Articles, Astronomy Now, News, Star Vistas | Leave a comment

mini-WASP array – computational matters

I have just spent the WHOLE of today resurrecting an old computer which will be the main computer for the mini-WASP array.  Lots of silly little things have fought back hard and it’s only just started to give in now … Continue reading

Posted in Equipment, mini-WASP Array | 2 Comments

It’s now 2:30 p.m. and the Paramount is unpacked!

I have just unpacked the beast – it is the most solid piece of engineering I’ve come across in the field of astronomy – I just hope I can put it to full use.  I think a fully-loaded mini-WASP head … Continue reading

Posted in Equipment, mini-WASP Array | 2 Comments

It’s 1:30 p.m. and the Paramount arrives at the NFO!!!

UPS have just delivered the Paramount 🙂  Will now unpack – taking piccies as I go.  It’s come all the way from Germany!!

Posted in Equipment, mini-WASP Array | Leave a comment

A brand new Paramount ME is on its way to the New Forest Observatory

Well it wasn’t a two week wait to see what happened – I crumbled just a few days after the last mini-WASP report and ordered up a Paramount ME from Kieron at SCS Astro – it is due to be … Continue reading

Posted in Equipment, mini-WASP Array | Leave a comment

Statrep on the mini-WASP deep-sky imaging array

It’s been about a year since my last report on this project, and that last article actually said very little 🙂  I am on the point of putting my hand in my wallet (you cannot begin to understand the amount … Continue reading

Posted in Equipment, mini-WASP Array, Projects | Leave a comment

Modification to the basic Celestron wedge

I was recently asked about a problem in maintaining polar alignment due to a heavy scope being cantilevered all over the place on a wedge.  The standard Celestron wedge (which I use) would also give you problems as the heavy … Continue reading

Posted in Equipment, Projects | Leave a comment

Greek Astronomy

I spent last week at an electronics Conference in Athens, Greece. Amazingly, from the Acropolis I could see two observatories – one actually down in the town (!) and another far away on a hilltop overlooking Athens.  I don’t think … Continue reading

Posted in Articles | 2 Comments

How not to raise your house valuation

Here’s how the two beer can pinhole cameras look on the South-facing wall of my house.  I hope we are not intending to sell within the next year or so as potential buyers may be put off by the sight. … Continue reading

Posted in Equipment, Projects | Leave a comment

Ultra long sub-exposure photography

I have just made up 2 beer can pinhole cameras (see Justin Quinnell’s website to see how to do this) and fitted them to a wooden frame on a South-facing wall of the house.  I have opened the shutter (removed … Continue reading

Posted in Articles, Equipment, Projects | 2 Comments