ICEINSPACE
Moon Phase
CURRENT MOON
Waning Gibbous
94.6%
14-09-2014, 11:01 PM
Highest Observatory in Oz
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 17,176
Sands through the Hourglass - Terroux Observatory - First Light
Well with the moon rising around 11pm and to test the whole system out I decided on a bright object for first light at Terroux
Only a bit over 2hrs of data and the seeing was only average (until after the moon rose
) but everything worked perfectly, scope, camera, guider, software, computers and the power system was hardly phased
To finish off the evening I had fun taking a few short subs and checking out a few galaxies that were transiting after midnight (with good seeing), deciding on my next target.
A most enjoyable night and great to be back under the stars for real
(and enjoyed the Maca's at 1.30am on my way home
)
New Moon should see a return to my favourite...galaxies!
The insides of the Lagoon (Full Frame)
The Hourglass Nebula (100% crop)
Attached Thumbnails
154.3 KB 171 views
117.4 KB 193 views
171.7 KB 155 views
178.7 KB 170 views
14-09-2014, 11:04 PM
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Glenhaven
Posts: 4,161
Good to see a plan come together Mike!
14-09-2014, 11:09 PM
Supernova Searcher
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Cambroon Queensland Australia
Posts: 9,315
Quote:
Originally Posted by
strongmanmike
Well with the moon rising around 11pm and to test the whole system out I decided on a bright object for first light at Terroux
The seeing was only average (until after the moon rose
) Everything worked perfectly, scope, camera, guider, software computers and the power system was hardly phased
To finish off the evening I had fun taking a few short subs and checking out a few galaxies that were transiting after midnight, deciding on my next target.
A most enjoyable night and great to be back under the stars for real
(and enjoyed the Maca's at 1.30am on my way home
)
New Moon should see a return to my favourite...galaxies!
The insides of the Lagoon (Full Frame)
The Hourglass Nebula (100% crop)
Great to see you back up and Running Mike.
Cheers
15-09-2014, 07:00 AM
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,612
Hi Mike - great to see the first light.
15-09-2014, 08:04 AM
PI cult recruiter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 10,584
Welcome back, Mikey
15-09-2014, 08:38 AM
ze frogginator
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 22,062
Awesome setup.
Great choice of target.
15-09-2014, 10:29 AM
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 17,902
Congrats! A lot of work to get to that point so now you are set.
15-09-2014, 10:38 AM
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 5,138
Great start!
15-09-2014, 12:15 PM
Billions and Billions ...
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Quialigo, NSW
Posts: 3,141
Good to hear and see Mike! Congrats!
15-09-2014, 12:20 PM
Highest Observatory in Oz
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 17,176
Thanks guys and yes I thought of you Marc when I was taking this first light
Mike
15-09-2014, 01:00 PM
Old Man Yells at Cloud
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Rockingham WA
Posts: 3,435
Awesome Mike, you must be excited, I would be!
The question beckons tho, considering your slight build, who helped you with all those counterweights?
15-09-2014, 04:20 PM
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunshine Coast
Posts: 1,827
Fantastic photos. I think everyone's dream is to have an observatory and a bit of land under dark skies. You must be in heaven.
15-09-2014, 05:06 PM
Highest Observatory in Oz
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 17,176
Thanks Simon and Mark
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MrB
Awesome Mike, you must be excited, I would be!
The question beckons tho, considering your slight build, who helped you with all those counterweights?
Ah yes...including the dec bar that's about 35kg there I guess
the NJP mount
is a pretty strong unit (mount like owner)
Mike
15-09-2014, 05:51 PM
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,612
Quote:
Originally Posted by
strongmanmike
Thanks Simon and Mark
Ah yes...including the dec bar that's about 35kg there I guess
the NJP mount
is a pretty strong unit (mount like owner)
Mike
Actually Mike - I think those counterweights
could do with a scrub with a wire brush & some fresh white paint.
15-09-2014, 06:19 PM
Like to learn
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: melbourne
Posts: 4,835
I'm very happy for you, all those years under the stars with no shelter.
15-09-2014, 06:19 PM
Highest Observatory in Oz
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 17,176
Quote:
Originally Posted by
alpal
Actually Mike - I think those counterweights
could do with a scrub with a wire brush & some fresh white paint.
Ah...yes
every time I see a photo of my setup I think exactly the same thing...then I think of Berts outfit
...and relax
My dome needs a clean too...
Mike
15-09-2014, 06:24 PM
Narrowfield rules!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Torquay
Posts: 5,064
Excellent Mike, great start. Your set up is looking very smick indeed, good to see you back in the saddle.
15-09-2014, 06:52 PM
Highest Observatory in Oz
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 17,176
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bassnut
Excellent Mike, great start. Your set up is looking very smick indeed, good to see you back in the saddle.
Cheers Freddo
viva la Guinness
15-09-2014, 07:25 PM
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,612
Quote:
Originally Posted by
strongmanmike
Ah...yes
every time I see a photo of my setup I think exactly the same thing...then I think of Berts outfit
...and relax
My dome needs a clean too...
Mike
Hi Mike,
please don't try to emulate Bert's standards.
It's strange how some people spend a great deal on stainless steel counterweights e.g.
http://www.optcorp.com/astro-physics...terweight.html
and others are happy letting steel ones rust away.
I think I'll repaint mine soon as they are getting paint chips.
cheers
Allan
15-09-2014, 08:20 PM
Novichok test rabbit
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in the cosmos...
Posts: 10,388
I keep looking for a laser shooting out of the top of your dome much like the AO units the ESO VLT's use at Paranal
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
All times are GMT +10. The time is now 05:48 PM .
) but everything worked perfectly, scope, camera, guider, software, computers and the power system was hardly phased 
(and enjoyed the Maca's at 1.30am on my way home 
)
the NJP mount is a pretty strong unit (mount like owner) 
every time I see a photo of my setup I think exactly the same thing...then I think of Berts outfit 
...and relax 
