Category Archives: Observatory

A new course for 2013

Due to having received several requests – the New Forest Observatory now offers another course for astronomers. “Constructing an observatory for imaging or observing” is the latest course we have on offer – please check the “Courses” section for details.

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Images for fully-populated mini-WASP array

Looking at the front face view of the array, top left we have the TS 80mm triplet APO, top right is the 80mm Megrez guide scope, and occupying both lower slots are the pair of Sky 90s.  Looking at the … Continue reading

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mini-WASP pier extender fitted

Eric Kennedy of NTE Poole Ltd. brought over the all-Aluminium pier extender for the mini-WASP on Sunday. Today (Tuesday) I have just spent all day completely disassembling the mini-WASP to fit the pier extender and then rebuilding the whole thing … Continue reading

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No imaging tonight

And to finish off today’s photo marathon here’s a double rainbow over the New Forest Observatory. It’s tipping it down so hard right now I’m seriously considering using the decking for an ark.

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“Little Planet” 2

A second go at a New Forest Observatories “Little Planet” scene – taken today.

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A “Little Planet” image of the New Forest Observatories

I was sitting at the computer yesterday (Saturday) typing out some rubbish or the other when for some unknown reason I suddenly twigged how those “Little Planet” images are taken.  So I grabbed the Canon 5D MkII and a fish … Continue reading

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Scary skies 6:00 p.m. on Thursday 12th April 2012

This was the “Close Encounters” scene over the New Forest Observatories at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday 12th April 2012.  By 10:00 p.m. it had cleared to a perfect dark sky with no interfering Moon!

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Michael Hattey of Starlight Xpress brings the tested M26C down to the NFO – with Maglev fans for both cameras

Well – here’s that Starlight Xpress super customer service for you!  Michael Hattey of Starlight Xpress drove my tested M26C camera down to the New Forest Observatory today – thank you Michael.  Both M26C cameras are now back on the … Continue reading

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First Light for the mini-WASP project – the Gamma Cygni region

Just a single 2,000 second sub from one M26C camera – no processing other than brightening up so here’s the hot pixels, the polar rotation – the lot – in all its glory.  But it’s my First Light 🙂

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First Light for the mini-WASP array Saturday night and Sunday morning:

We unexpectedly got a clear patch of sky last night – and no Moon – but of course such luck has to be tempered 🙂 Started up the mini-WASP array around 10:30 p.m. and decided to start with some Polar … Continue reading

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