Astronomy goals for the coming year?

[xelasnave]

I have a short list... to get my gear working:eyepop:... still have not got auto guide to work, or completed the 12 inch project, or the 150mm refractor project...but they dont count as they were last years but I think I will get those sorted before a new scope...

However enought about me what are your goals for astronomy next year

alex

[xelasnave]

er there was a mount build project but that was from three years ago......

alex

[Jen]

I'm going to try not to pic my scope up and spin it around this year :lol:
im going to learn how to use the proper settings :help:

[Ric]

This year I'm hoping to start work on the observatory get the scope all nicely setup in it.

Cheers

[acropolite]

I'm a bit like Alex, I'd like to get my EQ6/newt combination running smoothly, autoguiding and do some imaging. I'd also like to get to at least one mainland star party through the year (preferably Qld Astrofest). If I feel really energetic I may start building an observatory.

[leon]

Hopefully I might be able to learn some new things during this year, ;) if not, well, I will just plod along, and keep looking up. :thumbsup:

Leon :thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

Getting the observatory up and running would be nice. It would be heaven not to have to set up and pull down all the time.

[mozzie]

do some serious observing maybe first to see something and have it named after you that would be damn fine and dandy:astron::party2:
mozzie

[Lester]

Build new roll-off roof observatory, and fit new Losmandy Titan mount, that should arrive by February 2009. Then to get into auto tracking and some long exposure DSO imaging with the new 40D Astro camera.

Hope it all works.

[Rodstar]

Refine my observing skills by spending more time noting the details of each object I observe. Two particular ways I plan to achieve this is through the use of a dictaphone, and making observing drawings with black sketch paper and white pencil.

[h0ughy]

LOL for me it will be erect an observatory and get everything working!!!

[Ian Robinson]

Not really NY Astroresolutions , just my TO-DO List -
to rebuild the 10" newt OTA ,
to get the piers built ,
get the roll off roof observing shed built ,
maybe get that EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS USM ,
to spend more time at the telescope
get a handle on driving Starbook that came with the New Atlux
get a handle on using the autoguider camera
and get a handle on digital astroimaging (piggy backs and primefocus) using the 40D rather than my old 35mm SLR.

[Craig.a.c]

My astronomy goal for next year is to try and get my 12" Dob out at least once a fortnight and get some decent viewing done.

[renormalised]

1. Do more observing
2. Get an observatory up and running (if possible)
3. Figure out a way of producing completely cloud free nights!!!
4. Do well in my MSc for this year, so I can think about the PhD.

[astroron]

Find a Supernova, go North to get my three remaining Messier objects, and observe more Arp and Abell galaxies, and maybe build my Metal Dome.

[Ric]

I hope you bag that Supernova Ron, I know how tough they are to find.

[matt]

I hope to begin my journey into DSO imaging, while continuing to image the planets.

I'd like to make it one of the big star parties. Possibly Qld Astrofest.

Try and hook up with a few more local (Brisbane/SE QLD) astronomers, who might also be keen terrestrial photographers.

[AlexN]

**Get everything running exactly as I want it to, minus the little glitches that always seem to pop up...

**Perform a modification or two to improve my C11 for imaging, Mirror locking bolts, tube flocking and peltier cooling.

**Bag a good M20 image at F/10 with said C11.. (Probably not on the cards, but it all depends..)

[RobF]

1. Image lots more DSOs
2. Develop a decent portfolio of image processing skills
3. Have a go at some Saturn webcam imaging
4. Get out of the backyard as regularly as possible - maybe attend Astrofest or the like for a couple of days for the first time
5. Continue to use IIS to suck as much valuable knowledge as possible out of the helpful brains of those that post here!...
6. Get up one or two of my Astro pics on the wall
7. Continue having fun...

Sigh. I may have to move Alice Springs too if this blasted cloudy weather doesn't go away. Got autoguiding and light box going and seems its been cloudy ever since....
:cloudy::violin:

[AlexN]

Rob... Thats how much of a difference flats will make... I too got together a system for taking flats and bam - no imaging since :)

[astroron]

Some Great aspirations there Rob:)I hope you manage to even obtain 50% of them:D
But just remember this is the WET Season, so eventually it will get better:P
:thumbsup:

[monoxide]

great thread and some great goals to strive for :thumbsup:

im going to try my hand at grinding a few mirrors and hopefully by mid way through next year build my own high quality astrograph.

also i'll be trying to educate myself more on astronomy through the masses of information and lectures on the internet :)

[xelasnave]

I love setting goals...I have a book and draw stuff and when you find these books years later and recall when something was only a dream and now a reality it makes me feel as though it has been worthwhile...sence of achievenment whatever but if you write it down draw it cost it and plan it it usually happens...

alex

[kinetic]

You do realise, Houghy, that an observatory is a work in progress...
You will NEVER get it finished, it will always need something added
to it :)

Steve

[ngcles]

Hi All,



:thumbsup::thumbsup:


For myself, I've got four goals:

(1) To pass a particular mile-stone in my observing log which should happen sometime mid to late 2009.

(2) To successfully observe the July Total Eclipse in China.

(3) To assemble an imaging setup for use from home -- probably later next year once I'm back from China.

(4) To make a contribution toward the IYA 2009 through my Society (SASI), Sydney Observatory and AS&T.

Hope you all can make your goals a reality too.


Best,

Les D

[astro_nutt]

Hi everyone!
My goals are to have a few sidewalk viewing sessions ( as per I.Y.O.A.)..when conditions allow..maybe even try grinding a mirror..(I hope Mum doesn't mind me trying it out on her 400mm pyrex baking dish lid!!!)...and lots more observing from the backyard of course!!!
Cheers!

[KenGee]

My goal is to finish some (any one will do) projects I start but didn't finish this year......and the year before that.

[astroron]

My one gripe for 2009, lets stop calling a "Footpath" a "Sidewalk";)

[ngcles]

Hi Astroron & All,



Couldn't agree more !!

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:


Best,

Les D

[RobF]

I know Ron, and a bit of rain might stop the crazy Brisbanites wanting to dam your river - but can't it rain during the day and leave the odd night to us!!! :P

[g__day]

This year I think I nailed pointing and tracking on my mount - good enough to serve my ends. The Bhatinov mask I made has made short work of perfecting focus and the switch to a Meade DSI II Pro mono means autoguiding is now very, very accurate.

So for me its going to be improve my image processing skills - maybe follow a bit in Jase's footsteps a bit before I get anymore gear. I'd like to get colour fidelity nailed and learn how to tweak my shots to get all I can out of a plain and simple Canon 400D.

I'm also thinking of adding a C-angle finder to the camera and or a flip Mirror so I can do some visual through my C9.25 (I've largely missed that this year). I'd love to be able to do visual then with a flip of a mirror be able to instantly do photography.

After that if the funds are there maybe a decent apo and/or better camera than the DSLR.

[astroron]

I was going to set up this afternoon,but bowed to my better judgment:D
We just had a nice storm through here and Dumped 18mm in 15 minutes:)
It looks like we will get another tomorrow afternoon/evening:(
cheers :thumbsup: