Category Archives: Writing

Crickey! Number 1 and 2 places in “Popular Astronomy” on Amazon

I often check to see how Star Vistas is doing on Amazon.co.uk and got a bit of surprise when I just got in from walking the dog over the forest.  I have the number 1 and 2 slots in the … Continue reading

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First video diary entry for the new mini-WASP imaging array

Thought I would begin a video diary on the mini-WASP array project at this time even before the hole has been dug in the ground for the obligatory concrete block.  As we are all aware – any new observatory project … Continue reading

Posted in Equipment, mini-WASP Array, News, Observatory, Projects, Sky 90 and SXVF-M25C | Leave a comment

Prototype 18 ultra-bright white-light LED array for photographic applications

This image shows a prototype illumination rig I have just built using 18 ultra-bright white-light LEDs and powered by a computer PSU.  The idea is to create a compact, high-power, flicker-free light source for photographic applications.  This prototype array (I … Continue reading

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IOM November 2010 – NGC 7789 in Cassiopeia, the open cluster that thinks it’s a globular

For November’s Imaging Object of the Month I have chosen one of my most favourite objects of all – the open cluster NGC 7789 in Cassiopeia.  Open Cluster?  This amazing collection of stars looks pretty much like a huge globular … Continue reading

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Black border around screen/monitor

Now here’s a really annoying one you may have been putting up with for quite some time with no apparent solution. As you know on my super-duper-computer system I run 3 screens (one via an adapter which seems to create … Continue reading

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Slight change of plan

Having put the filter-wheel together it is too heavy, big and bulky to piggyback with the Sky90 on the C11 🙁  I will wait to fit this to the Sky 90 when it is in the mini-WASP frame early next … Continue reading

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Another component for next year’s mini-WASP array launch

I have just been looking at the equipment section of Steve Cannistra’s web site.  This section has proven so useful to me over the years (thank you very much Steve!!) that I thought I would give a “running commentary” on … Continue reading

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IOM October 2010 – Messier 15 the Great Pegasus Cluster

This month’s imaging object is M15 [NGC7078] the Great Pegasus Cluster, a very nice Globular Cluser in the constellation Pegasus.  This is a large globular with a diameter of 18 arc minutes (M13 is 21 arc minutes) and lies at … Continue reading

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A short HD video of the New Forest Observatory control centre

Here you can find a short Video clip of the triple screen system at the NFO control centre.  This video was taken on the Canon 5D MkII DSLR camera using a 14mm fish eye lens.  The movie clip was uploaded on … Continue reading

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Whisky tasting at Farthings 17th September 2010

Sir Patrick had a Whisky tasting event he hosted at Farthings on 17th September 2010 and we were educated in all things distilled by Dr. Andrew M. Forrester who is the Balvenie Ambassador U.K.  Some rather fine Whiskies were sampled … Continue reading

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