Category Archives: Projects

Projects undertaken at New Forest Observatory

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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The third and final (?) imaging system has been fitted to the mini-WASP array

Today the TS 80mm triplet APO (with flattener) arrived after ordering from Bern at Modern Astronomy – great service Bern, now let’s see what this little scope can do 🙂  On the back of the TS 80mm is an M26C … Continue reading

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Update on Tom How’s superb synchronisation program (ssp)

I have two desktops and a single laptop connected up to three M26C cameras in the mini-WASP observatory.  I fired up Tom How’s synchronisation program to make sure it can control 3 cameras o.k. – it did of course.  Next … Continue reading

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Hyperstar reunited with the M25C

I have returned the faithful old M25C to the Hyperstar and taken the new M26C into the mini-WASP observatory (North dome) awaiting the arrival of the TS 80mm triplet APO.  Expect rain and cloud for at least the next 6 … Continue reading

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A third imaging system for the mini-WASP array is being prepared

First off a big thank you to Tom How for patiently walking me through how to configure his fantastic “synch” program to accommodate a second “slave” camera.  Tom has written some very useful code that works with Maxim DL that … Continue reading

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The mini-WASP continues to fight back – this is now getting personal!

O.K. so last night I put a friend’s Sky 90 in place of the Sky 90 that continues to defy all my attempts at collimation and unbelievably it was clear at 9:00 p.m.  Brilliant, too early to start imaging, but just … Continue reading

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See and hear the mini-WASP in action

On YouTube. See the Paramount ME casually throw around over 90 pounds of kit as if it were weightless 🙂  

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  Here is the Type I Curta calculator that was sent from the States last week (arrived today after a week’s delay in Customs).  This is an August 1956 version and is in near mint condition.  Done a few multiplications … Continue reading

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Some more on the Curta calculator

What’s really nice about the Curta calculator is that by thinking about the maths problem you want to solve in a logical manner you can minimise the number of handle rotations to calculate the answer.  So for example, finding the … Continue reading

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Vega region – 3.26 x 4.24 degrees, both M26C cameras – mini-WASP array

Took this test image of the Vega region using both Sky 90s and both M26C cameras on the mini-WASP array.  One camera is not as well set up (collimation, chip flatness) as the other, but I just wanted to see … Continue reading

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