Category Archives: Projects

Projects undertaken at New Forest Observatory

The mini-WASP array project – statrep

Posted on November 21, 2009 by Greg Parker

The modifications to the telescope frame have been carried out and I’ve just bolted all the furniture to it to check it all hangs together properly – fortunately, it does.  The two open sides of the frame have now been … Continue reading →

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Computational solution?

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Greg Parker

Nigel Ball kindly sent me a link to a KVM switch (something I’d not heard of before) which looks like the perfect solution to my mini-WASP computer array problem.  One keyboard, mouse and monitor can be shared amongst 4 computers! … Continue reading →

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mini-WASP array – computational matters

Posted on November 7, 2009 by Greg Parker

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 →

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

Posted on November 3, 2009 by Greg Parker

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 →

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

Posted on November 3, 2009 by Greg Parker

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

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

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Greg Parker

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 →

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Statrep on the mini-WASP deep-sky imaging array

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Greg Parker

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 →

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Photographic exposures from 9-millionths of a second to 3-months

Posted on October 9, 2009 by Greg Parker

I just spent the day at Tony Allen’s photographic studio in Oxford with my high speed flash units.  We had another go at the water-filled balloons as they are so much fun.  Here’s a result from today’s efforts. This exposure … Continue reading →

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Modification to the basic Celestron wedge

Posted on October 3, 2009 by Greg Parker

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 →

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How not to raise your house valuation

Posted on September 6, 2009 by Greg Parker

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 →

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