6x5 foot Observatory.

Just as you're about to observe... here come the clouds!

A familiar tale for all astronomers....not any more, here in Simpson Cross.

A couple of weeks ago one of our neighbours kindly offered a pile of scrap wood for our fire.

It just so happened most of the scrap wood was the remains of his 8x6 foot garden shed.

I managed to salvage enough wood to make a start on an astronomy shed. I had two complete side panels, and enough wood to build the two remaining sides.

The building started on what must have been the hottest days of the year so far.

Somewhere I had heard it was the hottest April in the UK since 1911 !

The two sides bolted together quickly but the structure was still swaying quite a bit.

Good job there was no breeze that day.

After fixing the remaining two sides the structure became really strong.... It might just stand up to the Simpson Cross  winter gales.

I was going to make a roll of roof with support posts, but as the observatory is only 6x5 foot 

I can easily lift off the roof when needed..

There's still a lot of work to do before the scope is fixed permanently, but at least the main structure is in place.


The cost so far has been for screws, hinges, nails, and extra wooden batons. Total spent so far £35.

I've made the roof frame, now I have to get some covers on it..

To set up my telescope previously required the eq platform to be taken outside, back to the house for the counterweights, back to the house for the tube, setting levels, align North...observe.

In total about 10 minutes.


With this observatory, I slide the roof frame off completely, open the observatory door, sit on the stool...observe.

In total  30seconds.

I've got a feeling that when the Winter returns, the amount of observing time is going to dramatically increase.


I'll post more pictures of the observatory as I go along.

Solar Observing ..Maidenhall car park ..Newgale.

I'm happy to report the weather behaved itself yesterday.

We arrived early and having made sure to pack the car with all the equipment I needed, I began  confidently to assemble the scopes.

Just one problem.....I had forgotten one "minor" item...the actual sun filter!!! ...

Luckily we only live 3 miles from Newgale so Helen was able to quickly go home and pick it up.

It wasn't long before Phil, a member of the Preseli Astronomy & Science Group arrived.
This was our first meeting, we had talked via the PASG forum, on several occassions. It was great to finally meet up.


Phil arrived armed with two refractors ...

A  meade 70mm was to be his main solar scope...and it proved to be a good choice for solar work...infact it  had the edge over my Tal reflector.

We carried out a few tests with each scope... Refractor Vs Reflector..

There did seem to be slightly better contrast with the refractor.

Such a portable refractor is ideally be suited for solar work out and about.

Once I find a decent donor refractor I'll make myself a "mobile solar scope" and keep it in the car.


During one session the dust cap for the eyepiece on my scope inadvertently  moved into direct focus of the suns rays ...only 2 second maximum ...but it was enough time to melt a sizeable hole in the plastic dustcap.
.

Always goes to show that even though great care is taken....respect of the Sun is paramount.....

Please always observe safely and carefully!!!

A couple of passers by took an interest in our observing, and were impressed by the sunspots they could see. Mention was made by one visitor of the wonderful late Summer Moon rises over Simpson Cross...as viewed from Roch....

Maybe a visit to Roch in August/September is in order.... I know a good spot...up by the bottle recycling point, good parking a picnic area, and wonderful almost 360 degree views....

Perhaps I'll pencil that one in now.....

The weather behaved itself throughout yesterdays session. There was quite a bit of wind to begin with, but thankfully that eased off as the afternoon progressed.

The observing session was to be 2 hours between 2.00pm and 4.00pm , but thanks to the good company, the session was extended to 6.00pm .

This is the first public solar observing session I have attended...and it won't be the last....great fun!!!

Here's to a wonderful Summer....

Clear Skies 

Mark

First light with my new solar filter.

                              

Yesterday my solar filter sheet turned up.

It took ten minutes to fit it to my filter holder, and another five hours for the skies to clear sufficiently to allow me to test it.

Around about 16h30m UT the skies were perfect for observing with the Tal1.

I well see why astronomers get hooked on observing the Sun. 

It was mesmerising as it hung there shimmering with life giving heat.

I've always been a night time astronomer, the Sun always took second place to the moon and stars.

From now on, observing our nearest star is going to be high on my list.

First image with the new solar filter.

Helen and I went to our local bootsale in Haverfordwest
yesterday morning,
where I picked up for £1 this digital camera.

It has a 3.1Mp chip and a video mode that captures AVI's.

After setting up the Tal and solar filter, I managed to capture this image.

I've added a bit of colour with Paint shop Pro.

Also, the video setting on the camera allowed for this AVI.

First impressions of my "Heath Robinson" solar filter are certainly encouraging.

I've got the bug for this white light filter. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend investing in a "Thousand Oaks" filter or suchlike.

And an added bonus...your'e not likely to suffer hypothermia whilst you observe! 

Here's hoping for more blue skies.

Sun Filter Project.

I thought it time to make myself a solar filter for the TAL telescope.

Before I say anything...please be careful when viewing the Sun, only use approved sun filters and projection methods.

Even looking at the Sun with the naked eye for a few seconds can cause damage.  

I found this out the hard way about 32 years ago.

I still have the small scar on my left retina to prove it!

As the prices of ready made filters range from £40 to £90 for my particular telescope, I decided to make one incoporating the Baader solar film, which cost £18.

I would buy the ready made item, but at the moment all my pennies are going towards my next project, that of building my observatory.

The initial idea for my construction method is described here:-

http://www.baader-planetarium.com/sofifolie/bauanleitung_e.htm   with slight alterations made by me.

I've placed an order for the solar film.
But I bet with the bank holiday post, I'll probably receive delivery next tuesday/wednesday.

This is how I intend fixing the solar film to the holder.

When the solar film arrives I will post some more pictures of my progress.

Trying out the Tal ...down to Newgale...

Earlier this evening I got it into my head to try some astro observing from our local beach ...Newgale.

Helen and I got to Newgale at just gone 8:00pm, the night was drawing in fast.

I set up the TAL scope and first on the list was the three day (or thereabouts!!) moon..... a lovely crescent.

Mare Crisium took on the appearance of a smiley face. The 25mm plossl gave a good view...also the 15mm kellner ( I think it's a Kellner) was surprisingly good , giving quite sharp images.

I left the smiley moon and waited for the stars to switch on in the darkening twilight.

Sirius was first, followed quickly by Betelguese.

A couple of minutes later Rigel said hello.

Looking through the 25mm plossl and using a X3 Barlow, the lovely blue secondary of Rigel could easily be seen.

As Leo was well positioned two more doubles, Algeiba and Regulus went down in the observing log.

Castor was next ...what a beautiful double....

Then once again back to the smiley face of Mare Crisium...followed by a look at one of my favourites Aldebaran.....

It was about 9:00pm by now we were ready to head off home.

Whilst  I was observing, Helen had been beachcombing and had brought back enough driftwood to build a log cabin......!!

Finally before packing up I trained the Tal onto Cor Caroli in Canes Venatici......another beautiful double ...

As you can probably guess I like observing double stars   :0)

I managed to find some telescope room in the car amongst the driftwood, then we headed home.

I haven't tried mobile observing for many months...

This was my first attempt at Newgale....

Well worth the effort.....  I'll be back!!!

Clear Skies

Mark

Transit of Venus 8th of June 2004

It's been a while since a put a post on here, thought it time to remedy that.

Whilst looking through my astronomy logbook I found this picture of the Venus transit back in 2004. 

This photo was taken in  our back garden. The day started badly, with cloud cover looking to spoil the event of a lifetime.

Luckily about 9.00am it cleared up and we had beautiful blue skies for the remainder of the transit.

                   This photo was taken with a Canon EOS1000 on something called "film emulsion"

             Some post imaging has been done to the picture, in other  words I fiddled with the contrast



Basilicos, Cor Leonis, Stella Regina, Regulus

Regulus...what a poetic star.

Here is a poem I found recently by the Greek astronomer-poet Theodore Stephanides....

"I teach Man with the atom of his brain to weigh a flaming sun in wisdom's scales, to gauge the Galaxy from pole to pole, to read the secret of each starry train; and in the Infinite's unwinding trails, to lose mortality and find the soul."

Such poetry and dreaming these stars do bring.