Ten Chain Hill New Moon nights

[RobF]

Sounds like a nice litttle scope. I'm sure you'll crack it eventually.
I'm not going to bed anytime soon - too much Coke so far....:lol:

[RickS]

You're welcome to borrow mine if you want to test that theory, Adam. I'm using the FS-60 for guiding at present.

[adman]

Thanks Rick - that might be handy. I have no idea why it isn't working. I have got a second FS-60 OTA coming soon. One for imaging one for guiding, and will make a nice little binocular project at some point.

Adam

[adman]

here's another from tonight.

Adam

[ozstronomer]

Great shot Adam, Looks ok on the screen

I hope the weather is as good tonight(sat)

[Tandum]

Very clear here tonight and excellent seeing. Bit of fog starting to form up down the hill. Rob is in bed.

[ozstronomer]

Robin, good to hear it's clear up there. Great night here to, doing some Ha to add to the RGB I hope to get at 10CH tonight.

Have a good one :)

[RickS]

Thanks for your gracious hospitality again, Peter. Despite a poor start it turned out to be a pretty good night! Now it's time to process some images :thumbsup:

Cheers,
Rick.

[DavidTrap]

Thanks Peter for a surprisingly good night!!

DT

[RobF]

Yep - thanks for Fri night Peter. Really enjoyed it, as usual.

[adman]

did anyone go up on Saturday night? It was tantalisingly clear until 2pm when I started to see some high cloud coming in from the south and west - an early arrival of what skippy had predicted for more like midnight.

I was actually kind of glad that it did because I was knackered from a series of late nights through the week, and definitely needed sleep more than I needed to image. Although if the cloud had not appeared I would definitely have been there....:lol:

Adam

[RickS]

G'day Adam,

Geoff, Matt, David and I were there last night. Things looked pretty grim at the start of the night, but the clouds cleared and we had a reasonable night until the clouds and fog rolled in at 2:30am.

Cheers,
Rick.

[DavidTrap]

Pleasantly surprised Adam.

DT

[adman]

Daaaahhh. Wrong call again!!

Like tonight. Absolute crap all afternoon then walk out to take the bins out and not a cloud...

[DavidTrap]

yeah - I looked outside a while ago and thought about gathering some Ha - for a nanosecond...

DT

[ozstronomer]

Pete thanks for Sat night, always great to get up and enjoy a great night with great company

[pmrid]

G'day. If this weather holds, next saturday should be a beaut. The past 3 or 4 nnights have been outstanding up here and it can only get better as the moon continues to wane.
See you all here.
Peter

[ozstronomer]

Hi Pete

The family are on hols at Crows Nest for the next 10 days. Was imaging last nigh in 0.0deg cloudless skies. I hope you have great skies next Sat

Matt and I will be at the Imaging conf on Friday, anyone else comming?

Cheers

[RobF]

The conf is Fri week Geoff - yep, I've booked in for 3 days worth. Looking forward to it.

[DavidTrap]

I'm out imaging tonight too Geoff - trying to "catch me a chicken!"

Take good notes on the Friday at the conference - I have to work on Friday, but will be there on Saturday & Sunday.

DT

[RobF]

I'm going to have a bash at M17. Weather is tricky again - wish this high would come up a little further north to keep the moisture away.

[RickS]

I'm keen to come up on the 2nd. I'm out in the driveway again tonight exorcising gremlins so I'll be ready for a productive night of imaging!

Unfortunately, I won't be able to get to the conference. I'll be traveling.

Cheers,
Rick.

[adman]

fingers crossed - saturday night is looking like it might be alright.

Adam

[RobF]

I'd like to come up Sat night too. :)

[pmrid]

Still looking good. 7-Timer and Skippy seem to be saying transparency will be down a little and the seeing a touch off. Keep everything crosed.
Peter

[jjjnettie]

I'll be with you guys in spirit, on the other side of the dam.
Seems we may have a good run of clear skies coming up. Just hope this bit of rain we had won't cause the fog to come in early.

[Tandum]

If I can get this OAG to work before Saturday, I'll be there too.
Just need to see some stars for an hour or two.

[oosh]

Unsure if I can be making it to this now Peter, but will let you know either way mate. Cheers :)

[adman]

I am trying my hardest not to get my hopes up - but it looks like tomorrow is going to be a go-er!! Can't wait. Has been ages since my last bit of dark-sky action.

Peter - I will bring up that viewbox for you also.

Adam

[RickS]

I have been dodging clouds here all night sorting out a few more things. I'm ready for a big night tomorrow!

[jjjnettie]

I've nearly talked myself into going.
Got the kids to work around.

[RickS]

Keep talking, JJJ. You can do it :)

[jjjnettie]

If I only have one of the boys, I'm sure I can manage it, but I can't do it with 2. No room for them in the car.
fingers crossed.

[Tandum]

I can't make it Pete, I have equipment issues that I need to sort out here :(
Plus I've been up all night already :)

[pmrid]

Just keep talking. With kids, they sense uncertainty in a flash and you're gone. But so long as you keep talking at them, they won't catch on and you'll be out the gate before they know it.
Remember how to get here?
Peter.

[RobF]

I may be out of action. Having troubles with the QHY9. I'll see later if I feel like doing visual or widefield if CPR doesn't work. Grrrr.

[jjjnettie]

Only one child is coming over today, so it looks like it's a goer for me!!!
Is it possible to plug the child into the internet?
I was thinking of heading over mid afternoon.
:D

[adman]

I should be there about 3:00-3:30 :D

Adam

[jjjnettie]

Come on Rob, come and get some dark sky goodness into you.
Hey, we could have that Nifty 50 Shoot Out we were talking about. LOL

[RobF]

No dew heater. Guess I've got my trusty hair dryer though! :D

[jjjnettie]

I found some spare pieces of Solar Film too. We could fix you up with that too. :D
Must remember to pack some sticky tape.

[pmrid]

Thanks everyone - some good sky some of the time.
Just haveing a quick look at my attempt at the Bug Neb and looking pretty good. Here's a quick crop of the Ha (no darks applied yet).


Jeanette, if your son is looking for his DVD player, I've got it here and will drop it off at your place around 12ish.
cheers
Peter

[RickS]

The Bug looks great, Peter! Thanks for your hospitality again. I'll post some pics when I get a chance to process them.

Cheers,
Rick.

[Tandum]

Good to hear that you guys got to see some sky. It clouded over here early and stayed that way :(

[jjjnettie]

That looks the goods Pete!

sigh.....Tom also left a small collection of DVD's there too, if you could bring them along too.
Thanks heaps for the hospitality. I had a great time.

A quick shot of Rick setting up :D

[pmrid]

Hey Rob,
a small esky left behind - you or your gene pool?
Peter

[ozstronomer]

Hey Guys, good to hear you had a good night. After an initial poor start the skies here were great all night. 1.4deg at 2.30am.

Attached pic of M23 with new WO 72mm apo. love the scope but it does need the flattener. Hope to catch you Friday

[Brundah1]

G'day Peter,

Glad you had a fairly good night, by the looks of pics even the cows were excited. Pleased to see our scope pads got used!

As advised early in the night the wall of white arrived and stayed. D

[adman]

thanks Peter for a great night - clouds were a blessing in disguise. It meant I at least got a few hours sleep...

Here is my effort on eta carina for the night - about 2hrs 45mins in 5 minute subs. This is a very fast first process - I can see I have burnt out some of the brighter stars - but the data looks ok.

Here is a small one and a link to a bigger one (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Nm74tzPNHSyhoZ8y70qjzQ?feat=directl ink)

Cheers
Adam

[pmrid]

H Adam. The FOV of that little Tak is fantastic. I see you cropped the edges a little. I'd be interested to learn what you discover about the size sensor the Tak is designed to illuminate.
Peter

[pmrid]

Forgot to mention that caption on the large version refers to M8 and M20.
Peter

[Tandum]

Peter,
I found this : The flattener raises the F-stop to F6.2 (372mm, 45mm Image Circle), the reducer drops it to F4.4 (264mm, 44mm Image Circle) from my fs60 first light post (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=65136). The system charts (http://www.trutek-uk.com/takahashi/FS-60CB(1)%20Photovisual%20SystemChart .pdf) show that you need the camera rotator if you want to use either the flattener or reducer.

However, looking at the spec for the scope now on the european tak site (http://www.takahashi-europe.com/en/FS-60CB.specifications.php), they have removed all the image circle data?

Looking at the fs60 on opt, they say the factory in Japan was damaged in the disaster over there and production is currently halted.

[jjjnettie]

Lovely to see the finished product!

[RobF]

Thanks for much for having us up Peter.

Drats - I knew I should have done a last walk through the shed and surrounds. Grrr. Will get fairly rank with the old sausage wrappings in there. If you could chuck those I'll pick up next time. Sorry...my fault!

[RobF]

Nice bug Peter - look forward to some colour later too...

[RobF]

NIce Adam!
Sure gave the guys a thrill to see it on your screen too :)

[adman]

bugger - I copied and pasted from a previous image - forgot to change it



it should have no problem illuminating the DSLR sensor then. We were wondering whether the that was the reason my flattener is failing to flatten - but obviously not. I also tried Ricks flattener (same one) to see whether it was my unit - but same thing with that one. The only thing it can be is that the sensor distance is too great - but mine and Peters measurements show that it is only over by about 1mm. I have tried increasing it a few mm without any great change, but I'm buggered if I know how I can decrease it....?



didn't get to take any flats though....but I am reasonably happy with it . Thought it might be a little sharper/more detail - but I think my focus was just a hair off - I really do need a fine-focus knob for it.

It would have been nice to get another few hours on a different target last night - but right now I am glad for the few hours sleep I did get.

Did you get those weights for Paul...? You hadn't surfaced by the time I left :)

Adam

[RickS]

Nice to see you all up at Ten Chain. Peter was a fine host as usual. Hopefully I got a couple of decent images. We'll see when I find time to process them...



Well, here's one back :)

[oosh]

Sounds like you all had much fun! Will definitely try to make it to the next one, bummed we couldn't make it this time!

[RickS]

Nothing like a new toy, Geoff! Lotsa stars :thumbsup:



Looks good, Adam, especially given the somewhat trying circumstances. Would a perfectly clear night have been too much to ask?

[pmrid]

You know what it's like. You look everywhere, then look again. Then you get all scientific and retrace your steps - when did I last have it? If I had it in my hand now, where would I put it down. You interrogate the dog with surfboarding (waterboarding, actually - I think) and other techniques, look accusingly at the cows - but to no avail.
I've lost it. Has anyone seen my MPCC? Did I, perchance, lend it some some needy soul?
Peter

[pmrid]

Call off the search. The dog cracked under interrogration and showed me where it had hidden it.
Peter

[RickS]

Mistook it for a tennis ball?

[ozstronomer]

Glad you found it Pete...well done :thumbsup:

BTW did you get any decent video from last weekend?

Geoff

[adman]

Surfboarding sounded like more fun....

Glad it turned up

Adam

[RobF]

Well if there are an "eggy stars" it could be dog drool :D

What is the MPCC used for Peter - getting the F3.8 Newt out again I expect?

[pmrid]

Yeah. I decided to have another Cheshire attack on it and collimate the old-fashioned way. I'm reasonably happy with the way it came together. And I have recently dug my old HX916 out of the back of the proverbial cupboard to which I have now added some Astrodon filters and a wheel. They give a great image scale of 1.45 as/p which is really right on the sweet spot.
So I'm planning to have a good crack at doing some LRGB stuff in the Spring.
Like all good plans, that does have one principal weakness - the weather.
Peter

[RobF]

What could possibly go wrong....! :whistle:

Thanks again for carting that esky down the coast too - sorry to be so tardy.

[pmrid]

In case there are any other Astrofest Orphans apart from myself among the TenChain faithful, and assuming the weather allows, I plan on doing a new moon thing one way or the other. So if you're not going to Duckadang, feel free to wander up here.
Peter

[RickS]

Count me in, thanks Peter!

[RobF]

I'm astrofesting thanks Peter

[adman]

I take it you mean the weekend of the 30th July? I will do my best to make it up there - but I am waiting on some screws to attach my gemini motors to their gearboxes. Without those I will be able to take some star trails - but thats about it...

Adam

[Tandum]

I've booked for he last few days of duckadang but the 7day forecast isn't looking real hot and I've picked up a lurgey as well :(

[ozstronomer]

Pete,

I'll be at Astrofest from Tuesday to Sunday, thanks for the offer. I hope we all have some fine weather. Catch everyone next month

Geoff

[adman]

doesn't look like tonight is on for me Peter. Something about a 40th birthday party that I am required to attend...

Next weekend might not be too bad moon-wise?

Adam

[RickS]

Skies are looking good at present. See you this afternoon, Peter!

Cheers,
Rick.

[pmrid]

You're right. Happy to give it a whirl.
Peter

[DavidTrap]

Just off the the school fete for a while then I'll be out Peter.

DT

[pmrid]

I'm getting the obs ready for the PMX which I am semi-confident of seeing by about the end of this month. So it's a new and much shorter pier with bottom-adjusting - so not top adjustment plate.
And adding a warm/computer room and raising all the walls to abot 2 metres high. All going according to plan, it ought to be structurally complete with another 3 or 4 days work. Painting to follow. Any of you guys handy with a paint-brush or roller?
Peter

[adman]

looks good Peter. I am still waiting on the weather to see if I'll make the trek up tomorrow - but if I get there with light to spare I will be happy to help out.

Adam

[RickS]

You've made good progress since the weekend, Peter! I'd be happy to do a bit of painting next time I get up there. This weekend my social secretary has me booked out :)

Cheers,
Rick.

[Tandum]

Sorry Pete, I'll have to stay at home with the misses, at least until she has the surgery done on her wrist next week. CT scans show that It's not just broken it's shattered. Dangerous game that tennis.

[DavidTrap]

I do enjoy painting - think of me as an abstract artist! Unfortunately, I'm away at a course this weekend. Hope the weather (& ground loops) oblige for you Adam.

DT

[ozstronomer]

Pete, when do you think you will be ready for painting?


Geoff

[RobF]

Heck, it's all happening at 10 Chain by the looks of it.
I've got my son's birthday on tomorrow Peter so don't dare try and negotiate time away sorry.

[pmrid]

Thanks everyone. I expect we'll be substantially finished - at least ready to paint - by next weekend. But if this wretched foggy weather persists, painting may have to wait a bit.
I'll save a wall for you.
Peter.

[adman]

don't think I'll risk the trip up tonight peter - too many clouds hanging around. Going to have to be next time.

Cheers
Adam

[pmrid]

A wise decision.
cheers
Peter

[adman]

so you can thank me when it is crystal clear later - if I was there the clouds would hang around!

[RickS]

Here are my pics from the last new moon night. Most of the subs look like they were affected by thin cloud (possibly fog in the case of the Helix Nebula subs that were taken starting around 4am). Still, at least I got something after sitting up until 2:30am waiting for the clouds to clear...

http://rickstevenson.smugmug.com/Astro-Photography/2011-07/18120635_rMz2Sj#1428378589_VZrWpQz-O-LB

http://rickstevenson.smugmug.com/Astro-Photography/2011-07/18120635_rMz2Sj#1428379113_Dc5bR9X-X3-LB

If anybody can explain how I got diffraction spikes from the Tak FSQ I'd be interested to know. These were taken with a SX H18 mono camera and filters, so I'm guess it's some sort of reflection? I've never seen this happen with the QHY12 OSC camera.

Cheers,
Rick.

[pmrid]

Rick, those are stunning. Both of them. I wonder whether the spikes are an artifact from high atmospheric moisture!
Peter

[pmrid]

Hi everryone. The next new moon falls on the 29th August - a Monday. So we have choices. We could go for the 27th or wait 'til the 3rd Sept. Or we could do both.
My inclination at this stage is to say that if the weather is clear, I'll be out in it anyway and always value some company. So let's say that anyone who wants to come up on either night is welcome - and hope for the best with the weather.
As an inducement, OPT say my PMX will be shipped on Tuesday (our time) so there is a fair to medium chance that it will be here by the 27th. Yahoo.
And of course there will be an opportunity to throw a bit of paint around for anyone with the energy.

Peter.

[RobF]

Great shots Rick. Colour balance might benefit from some tweaking, but cloud or haze might be to blame. Certainly keepers for your efforts.

[RobF]

I'm pretty sure 3/9 is out for me, so will have to investigate re 27/8. Hmmm. Hope my QHY9 will be properly back in action by then - starting to get me down :(

[RickS]

Thanks, Peter!



Thanks, Rob. These are the first LRGBs I have processed and I did struggle with the colour. I think it might be the quality of the subs but I'm not sure. I guess I'll find out when I manage to take some better ones :)

I'm OK for either weekend, maybe even both if my better half is feeling generous.

Cheers,
Rick.

[pmrid]

Well, we have been keeping both this Saturday and the one following open as possibilities - weather permitting. Skippy doesn't offer much encouragement for this Saturday at the moment although you wouldn't know it looking out my window right now. Still!!!! Wiser heads than mine etc etc.

However, I'm not writing it off yet.

Here's the latest pics from the obs.

Peter

[ozstronomer]

Looks great Pete, that's really come together well.

What's that I see in the background:eyepop: could it be a PMX??? Looks like they found you via Victoria:P

Wedding Anniversary this weekend so count us out, even if the weather comes good.

Looking forward to catching everyone though next weekend :thumbsup:

Cheers

[adman]

looking good Peter! This weekend is not looking at all promising - which is a shame as it was the only one of the two that I could make...:sadeyes:

I am hanging out to get up there as I want to image the Andromeda galaxy which is almost impossible from my place. Can't wait to see how it comes out with the FS-60/reducer combo. Looks like it will have to be October

hope all goes well with setting up the PMX

Adam

[RickS]

Funny place to mount the PMX, Peter :D The warm room looks very snug!

I'll see you this Saturday if the weather improves, otherwise next Saturday...

Cheers,
Rick.

[pmrid]

Hi guys - at the risk of stating the bleedin' obvious, I can officially pronounce tomorrow a non-starter. Fingers crossed for 3rd Sept.
Peter

[DavidTrap]

I think this is a defeatist's attitude!

DT

[astroron]

David! are you going to TenChain to take some images of Grey Nebulosity ? :P:P
Cheers:thumbsup:

[RickS]

Or just bask in the warm, red glow of the PMX?

[DavidTrap]

In the new "warm room"!

DT

[RickS]

How has the weather been looking up there, Peter?

[pmrid]

Last night was pretty darn good. Little fog, cold and clear. What's not to like?
Anyone up for a night of it tonight?
Peter

[ozstronomer]

Peter

Matt and I will be up tonight,we'll leave around 2.30pm so if the weather changes can you put up a post, otherwise see you then.

Geoff

[RickS]

I'll be coming as long as the weather doesn't turn ugly!

[pmrid]

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.
If you were contemplating cvoming up tonight, don't.
The weather looks dreadful and the locals have started burning-off to boot.
Peter

[RickS]

I just finished packing the car :sadeyes: SkippySky looks OK for later?

[pmrid]

You're welcome to take a stab at it.
The sky has lightened a bit and I can see some hope but there's a lote of smoke haze. Let me know what you are doing.
Peter

[RickS]

What the heck :) See you in an hour and a bit!

[ozstronomer]

Hi Peter

Matt and I are staying put at home tonight, thanks for the offer, I hope you and Rick have a successful night. Still looking forward to seeing the new PMX

Catch you next new moon :)

Geoff

[RickS]

The highlight of the trip was the tour of Peter's remodeled observatory and the unveiling of the PMX (shame I forgot to bring a sacrificial bottle of Dom to christen her).

The clouds cleared beautifully, but only for long enough to polar align. For a while there was a hole just where I needed it, but then that closed up and it was all over. I have 20 mins (5 mins each of L, R, G and B) of my first target...

Thanks to Peter for being a gracious host as always!

Cheers,
Rick.

[DavidTrap]

Glad to hear you've seen the beast and proven he's not been telling fibs!

I'm on call for this weekend and next, so was forced to stay in Brisbane. I setup in the afternoon when it looked clear. Then the clouds rolled back in! I was wanting to test some gear (I'll post another thread about that shortly), so I persisted checking on the skies every half an hour until they eventually cleared enough around midnight. I was able to do some testing and packed it in about 2am when the sucker holes disappeared.

DT

[pmrid]

For that I would weaken my resolve and get back on the slops - briefly.
Peter

[ozstronomer]

Rick

I wondered if you might see a few clouds last night, everything seemed to be heading straight for 10CH. I also was trying out another mount but sadly the skies were not on my side :( Oh well there's always next month :thumbsup:

[RickS]

Geoff,

I'm already looking forward to clear skies next month :thumbsup: Surely we've had enough bad luck by now.

Cheers,
Rick.

[DavidTrap]

And tonight's been a corker - pity it's a school night...

DT

[pmrid]

Folks, the new moon is coming early - so we need to start looking at suitable TCHO New Moon dates - the options are the 24th and 31st. I think they straddle the new moon more or less equally. If the weather allows, I will probably be making use of both but since the weather is a bit variable lately, we can work on an either/or basis for now and possibly "both" if possible.
I'm still working in Malaysia this week but will be home Thursday - hopefully will be able to get the new PMX dialled in before the 24th.
Peter

[RickS]

Peter,

I'm currently good for either night and possibly both (we should be so lucky with the weather...)

Cheers,
Rick.

[ozstronomer]

Peter

I'm the same as Rick, so fingers crossed for good weather both weekends :)

[dj gravelrash]

Heya
Can anyone come to Ten Chain Hill New Moon nights? Am a very keen newbie from Carrara on the goldy coast lol:hi:

[pmrid]

If you have plenty of insurance and all your innoculations, the answer is yes!
But seriously folks, you are welcome to joing our little band. PM me when you want to drop up and I'll post some directions.

Peter

[RobF]

Can anyone find me a good lawyer?
I think I know how I got my rabies now - no-one told me about the innoculations....:D

[Tandum]

Here's one. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Ridgeway) :)

I should be good to go for the week-end pete. Not sure about all this smoke though. It's pretty thick here shooting low to the north :(

[RickS]

Rabies can be cured if treated before symptoms develop. Unlike an astro imaging addiction :lol:

[adman]

Oh man - now I want my own Wikipedia page....


...and why am I foaming at the mouth...:help:

[RobF]

Uh oh - my 10CH nights may be over now....:ashamed::scared3:

[pmrid]

OK. Now that you've all had your shots, I'm on the bludge: I need a Losmandy saddle for an ADM SBS bar. Does anyone have one I can buy or borrow for long enough to get one sent from the states?
I don't know where it's gone but I'm sure I had one - way back in the dim dark days of yore but I'm stuffed if I can remember what I did with it.
Peter

[pmrid]

I've been outed - in more ways than one it seems.

Peter

[Tandum]

I got a SBS bar which I can't use in the dome, I keep getting images of the inside of the dome when I use it. I'll bring it.

[RobF]

Count me in too please for Sat. Sunday family commitments made it look unlikely for a while, but I'm just going to have to wake up at a decent hour Sun morning for once......:rolleyes:

[pmrid]

We have some cows here that can accelerate your rising quite easily. A sort of bovine alarm clock of the wet and warm variety.
Peter

[pmrid]

Been watching the weather - Saturday predictions are a worry.
Friday looks better at the moment.
Fortunately the bloody smoke haze has largely cleared (but been replaced by some cloud coming in from SW).

Peter

[RickS]

I can probably do Friday, Peter, if that works for you too.

[pmrid]

Well, if the sky gives me the opportunity I'll be out there. You're welcome to take a chance.
Peter

[ozstronomer]

Peter

Matt and I are good for Saturday, fingers crossed for good weather

Cheers

[jjjnettie]

I'm off camping for the weekend. Otherwise young Tom and I would have been there with bells on.

[RobF]

Fri looking better than Sat currently. I can't get away tomorrow though.

[RickS]

There's always next weekend, JJJ!

[Tandum]

I'm coming up this arvo pete. I think tomorrow might be wet. I've got that sbs bar in the car.

[adman]

I am out for this weekend - school hols up in noosa with the kids. But next weekend is a goer!

Adam

[RobF]

How's it goin' out there at 10CH tonight?
Cleared up here in the city eventually.

[RickS]

Some smoke in the air, but no clouds. I won't know how it went until I take a closer look at these subs ;)

[RobF]

At least it's clearer than last weekend. About to hit the sack here. Hope you get some good shots Rick.

Rob

[Tandum]

All over around 2:30 due to fog.

[ozstronomer]

Hi Peter

The weather looks good, Matt and I will leave around 2.30pm. See you this arvo

Geoff

[RobF]

I'm probably out Peter. Weather looks too risky. Will message again if I resort to heroics though which I'm susceptible too :D

[RickS]

Thanks, Rob. Just having a quick play with the data and it looks promising.



Good luck, guys! I'm tempted to drive up again but I think it might make me a little unpopular on the domestic scene :lol:

I'm definitely up for another night next weekend if the weather gods are kind.

[pmrid]

Guys,
a couple of things:
1. this Saturday looks marginal according to SKippy and 7-Timer but Friday looks clear. Anyone who wants to come up Friday is welcome as well.
2. I have to go OS again in a couple of weeks and will be away until the end of October. Which means I won't be here for the next New Moon which falls on 27th October.



Peter

[RickS]

Peter,

If Friday night still looks good tomorrow at noon then I'll probably head up in the afternoon.

Cheers,
Rick.

[RobF]

I'm out - QHY9 broken yet again :mad2:

[Tandum]

Again? Is it the same issue?

I'll come up before lunch peter and help you out with those software issues and have a bash at that newt.

[RobF]

Yeah - vertical white lines of death. Grr.

[Tandum]

Yikes .. that's like 3months off line now isn't it?

[RobF]

Yeah, the usual pattern is working for a few weeks or couple of months while cloudy, then bang just before a clear dark sky night. Sat is bound to be clear now! ;)

[adman]

Excellent! Thanks Rob

[ozstronomer]

Peter

I won't be up tonight, I will try for Sat night. I'll check the weather Sat lunch time and let you know.

Cheers Geoff

[pmrid]

Folks, it looks like a good one tonight. The air here is crisp and clear. Barring dust storms and plagues of locusts, I expect a rare night of seeing tonight. Don't miss it.
Peter

[adman]

Tonight looks fantastic. I wish I could be out there but have to work in the morning. Who is out there tonight??

Adam

[RickS]

Adam,

It was Peter, Robin/Tandum, Chris/OneCosmos and me. Lovely clear skies and good seeing up until about 2:30am when the fog didn't roll in, just for a change, but the clouds did. I got 6 hours of data on two objects that I started imaging last week, so now it's processing time!

I hope you guys get good weather tonight.

Peter: thanks for your hospitality yet again!

Cheers,
Rick.

[ozstronomer]

Hi Peter,

Matt and I won't be up this weekend the weather doesn't look that good.
Catch you next new moon

Cheers

[jjjnettie]

Sorry I missed you just before Pete when I dropped in.
So saying "Hi" now. :D
Had to get home to my munchkin.

[adman]

just having a quick check through the subs from last night at TCH (thanks Peter!) and saw this one that looks like a well placed Iridium flare.

Adam

Edit: for those if you who didn't make it last night (that's everyone - I was all on my lonesome ) you missed a great but chilly night. The wind was only intermittent and it was startlingly clear. I had to rug up though - several layers, then ended up climbing into my sleeping bag while sitting at the scope! Got to sleep inside Petes new observatory annexe - much nicer than the floor of the shed!

[RickS]

How was the night, Adam? I'm glad to see you got some images!

Cheers,
Rick.

[RobF]

Congrats on the andromeda shot Adam. Now you're cooking with gas. That tak is an awesome M31 weapon. Good to see that galaxy obsession is still going strong :)
Will be looking forward to finished image!

Actually I'm surprised you didn't have wind problems - it was cold and bit gusty here in town at least until midnight. I tried a bit of planetary work, until I discovered I'd set up too close to the roof to see Jupiter :lol:

[keni]

Hi Adam,
That's a top shot.
I know where all the wind was..............Carindale.I'm so happy we kept it here away from you....:sadeyes:
Bleedin' horrible it was, made even observing ordinary let alone trying to get any pics.

I'm surprised Peter allowed you to be alone with the PMX or did he stay with you cradling a shotgun...........

Ken.

[adman]

The wind was a bit of a problem earlier on coming straight out of the west but I was able to manoeuvre the car as a bit of a wind break, and I was mucking around shooting a bit of m7 through the 127 which was good as it was almost straight into the wind. Later on the wind dropped so that it didn't really upset the guiding - although I haven't had a chance yet to look closely through all the subs.

I actually fell asleep at the scope just after midnight and when I woke up I had that groggy feeling that told me to pack and get some sleep.

Still I was mostly happy with the night, a few steps closer to getting my current rig humming. I was able to rig up my camera to run off my deep cycle battery. I cannabalised a dc-dc converter and my cheap eBay canon power supply and from 2 useless devices made one very useful one. Has put an end to my ground loop problems - I hope.

I only wish I had more stamina last night - it was crystal clear from midnight to dawn I believe.

Rick - I think jjj told you that she had given me your QHY12 ( I think it's a 12...?). We'll arrange a handover for a suitable ransom fee!!

Cheers all
Adam

[adman]

Here's a link (http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n528/astrobug/Astrophotography/M31_17x300s_800iso.jpg) to my first quick go at processing last nights data

[RickS]

Very nice, Adam. How many and what length subs?

[adman]

17 x 5 min subs at 800iso

[pmrid]

G'day everyone. In Salzburg and wishing I had brought a little travelscope. It's alpine air at its best - cold, dry and so so clear. Hard to get used to seeing Orion upside-down though.
The next new moon falls while we're still away but the following weekend should still be pretty good. I think that the 4th. I'll be busting a gut (literally) to put all Robin's hard work on the astrograph to good use.
see you then.
Off to Venice tomorrow and expecting the sky to be clouded by a fair bit of Soavo Classico.
Peter.

[RickS]

Get off IIS and go have a good time, Peter :lol:

[pmrid]

hope you all got a bit of sky last night.
next NM is the 25th so Sat 26th is the next target.
peter

[RickS]

Weather has been rubbish for the past few nights, Peter. I haven't minded too much because I have had a visitor from the US here all week and I've been working 14 and 15 hour days...

Hopefully the 26th will be blessed with pristine clear skies.

Have a good trip back!

Cheers,
Rick.

[Brundah1]

G'day Peter,

How's the Schnaps?

I do hope you attended mass in each of the 13 churches in central Saltzburg. Depending on how good you have been perhaps you should go twice in each :lol:

Don't fret as Rick said WX here has been outhouse most nights. Do hope you were loyal and flew Qantas - not! Disgusting mess all round yesterday. Julia is playing "I must hurry up and follow them for I am their leader". The Red Tails should be back in the air by Friday - catch-up may take longer.

David


Look forward to draining some red ink on your return.

David

[pmrid]

Gday guys. I am in Dubai on the way back.
David: The divine in my trip was a Bach organ concert in a cathederal in Rome. Bloody beautiful. Some of the local reds come a close second by require more verification.
Peter

[Brundah1]

Was that a real Bach or a dog bark you heard? :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Glad you managed to drain some red ink along the way.

Well the sky gods must know you are on the way home, last night was looking promising (but you left that big light on again;)) and so it was had some fun with the CPC, watched Lo transit as sharp as could be and that old hunter is back in form. First good night for me in quite a while.

CU soon
David

[RickS]

I got four more hours of Ha for my only target of the last few weeks. It took a while to remember how to set up after all these cloudy nights!

Hope you had a safe trip back, Peter.

[pmrid]

How quickly we forget that earlier this year we barely had a handful of clear weather until about May.
Here's hoping this summer gives us something like a 'normal' pattern.
P.

[adman]

Welcome back to civilization Peter!

Adam

[Tandum]

Peter, do you have a date that suits you for next new moon? The Xmas party bookings are starting to come in.

[pmrid]

Yep: the 25th and 26th Nov should be good. I haven't consulted the weather oracle yet though.
Peter

[adman]

well, really - what else would I have expected! There is rain forecast for this weekend. After the driest bloody November in history, it RAINS on the new moon weekend.

I think the weather oracle needs to have something spiky shoved somewhere unpleasant

:mad2:

[RobF]

There's actually a hint of clearing skies by Sat night on Skippy tonight, but I'm very sceptical - suspect it will be late Sun and into the working week before it clears :sadeyes:

[RickS]

Fingers crossed...

[pmrid]

Well folks, Saturday continues to look grim. Sunday, on the other hand, is looking pretty good. Let me utter a famous Australian oath! Sickie! Since the next new moon falls on Xmas day, it seems your chances of getting dark skies then will be pretty low, so let me say again: SICKIE,
Peter

[RickS]

Alas, I have tickets booked to see Eddie Izzard with my eldest lad on Sunday night.

Should be good, though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv5iEK-IEzw

Cheers,
Rick.

[RobF]

Hmmm, Sunday MIGHT be a goer for me. Wasn't going to put the hard word on you Peter, but dammit, now you're dangling it out there :D
Will check with family and work.

[pmrid]

Let's put this on a patriotic level: to the tune of Waltzing McTilda:

"Takin' a sickie,
Takin' a sickie,
Who'll be a'takin' a sickie with me?
For the stars will be shining
On TenChain Hill Observatory
So who'll take a Sickie
on Monday with me????"

All together now!



Peter

[adman]

I am not 100% sure that I would write off Saturday night just yet.

Sunday night is an interesting proposition though - not sure how that one would fly on the home front....?

[RobF]

The BOM models don't show the fine cloud after the muck coming through tomorrow clearing until about midday Sun though Adam. Sun still looking a far better proposition at this stage. I'm planning for Sun at this stage if the gate is open :D

[ozstronomer]

Pete

My only night is Saturday, I'll cross the fingers but won't be surprised if you call it off

Geoff

[RickS]

My fingers are crossed, too Geoff!

[pmrid]

It's just on 2 a.m. here and I've been chasing glory holes for a couple of hours now - with mixed success. Seeing is rubbish but I wanted to get a handle on this new scope and focuser so it was worth the effort.

I won't call tomorrow night off. I'll leave it up to you guys to flip a coin and take your chances. I agree that Sunday probably looks better but this stuff does look like it might clear up late tomorrow so who knows???
Peter

[adman]

well I am keeping my options open for Saturday night, but on the other hand, Sunday night is looking like it might be a possibility. It would still be a school night for me - have to do a few hours at work on Monday morning, and still be back home to do the kids school stuff. So if I can get some sleep in between imaging runs, I can get up at 5am and get back home in time....just.

Adam

[Tandum]

I may be able to do Sunday Peter. I'll try and behave at the xmas party tonight.

Not to keen on Ipswich Road during peak on a Monday morning though :( Might require a sleep in :)

[ozstronomer]

Pete

Not going to bother tonight(sat) the clouds are too thick.

I hope it clears for those going Sun Night

Cheers

[adman]

well, I am packed and ready to go. I will probably leave here around 3:00-3:30 which means 4:00 - 5:00 at Peters place.

Who else is up for it?

Adam

[Tandum]

I also have the scopes jammed in the car, see ya there Adam.

[RickS]

Good luck, chaps! I have tickets to see Eddie Izzard tonight...

[RobF]

I'm in! See you all there later. Fingers crossed.

[jjjnettie]

I'll be there in spirit. I'll set up here at home. Albeit slowly.
Have a fab night you guys.

[ozstronomer]

Looks like it's shaping up for a good night guys. I'm staying put in Brissy catch everyone next time

Geoff

[jjjnettie]

Isn't it a beaut night!!!
Hope everything is running smoothly for you all. :D
Leave Orion alone, those photons are MINE tonight.

[RobF]

Hi JJJ
There's a few of us misbehaving happily. Sure is a good one isn't it! About time too. Glad to hear you're having fun too. Adam is about to steal some of YOUR photons though......:whistle:

[jjjnettie]

The seeing has been getting betterer and betterer all night.
Reckon Adam should NOT go to Orion, and do some Planetary work instead.

[pmrid]

Hi sport. I'm on M1 and doing it in NB at 3900FL wahoo!!!!
Peter

[jjjnettie]

:D Looking forward to seeing the results Pete.
I've pulled the pin. I wish I could have stayed up all night. But well.....I need the beauty sleep.
But I have 3.5hrs of data to work on tomorrow. woo hoo
Enjoy the rest of the morning. :D

[adman]

Yeah I have left Orion for you jjj - I have switched my camera to the little FS60 and m42 is a bit small especially with the reducer..

Having a crack at eta instead. Spent most of before midnight on ngc253

get some sleep!
Adam

[jjjnettie]

Yawns......
Monday is "Show and Tell" :)
Have fun.

[adman]

Hmm - all of about an hour and a half sleep. Hope all that data is worthwhile.

[Tandum]

It started to brighten up around 4am so that was stumps. I have not had the weather to shoot all night for a long long time.

[RobF]

It was certainly a treat to see a nice sunset and pack it away at first light (even if I did skip a few hours along the way :whistle:)
Thanks for having us Peter!

I may have accidentally acquired some M1 data off the USB stick on the 2nd computer - hope that's ok and was the plan?

[RickS]

Glad you had a good night, and not at all envious :sadeyes:

[pmrid]

Hi Rob. Yes, that's right. But I didn't get around to putting any calibration frames on that thumbdrive for you. I can send some DSS Master Cal files (darks and Bias) to you via email if you like.

Peter

[RobF]

Thanks Peter - Robin mentioned he thought you'd copied it onto a CD or USB, so glad you didn't mind me looking. Didn't want to wake you over it. I'd love to get some master bias/darks if possible. I'll PM my gmail email. I started to have a go at it last night and ran out of waking brainpower to remember how to do the artificial colour assignment :P

[Tandum]

Those fits will be way too big for email rob. They'd have to be 16meg each out of that 11002, even binned x2. And gmail won't accept zip files, sif that would help anyway :)

I think iis has an ftp running for this sort of thing. Ask an admin maybe.

[pmrid]

That's a good idea. I just dropped Mike a note so stay tuned.
Peter

[adman]

Sunday night was a rude reminder of just how much the temperature of the 550D sensor impacts the amount of noise in my subs.

Everything was going beautifully on the night, guiding was great, no (significant) equipment problems, no clouds - but then getting home and looking at the data was not a happy experience. I think even my noise had noise.

I am not sure that it is worth trying to process it at all...:sadeyes:

When I get home tonight, I will post some examples

Adam

[RobF]

Thanks re the files Robin, MIke and Peter. Have the master bias and dark now.

Adam, I guess the last time you were out was the end of winter, and was a heck of a lot cooler as you said. Hope you can salvage something with darks.

[adman]

It might be possible - the only darks I have in my library are for about 22-25 degrees. Will have to take some more for mid thirties.

Adam

[pmrid]

I spotted someone (leinad) selling a polar finder scope for the G8/11 the other day and figured one of you would probably want it but since others were already nibbling, I bought it just in case.
So anyone who wants it can have it for what it cost - $180.
First-in etc etc.
Peter

[ozstronomer]

Hey guys, looks like the weekend was productive, sorry I couldn't share the skies

Lovely work on M1 Peter and Rob.:thumbsup:

Adam, sorry to hear the DSLR is noisy. I had the exact same problem with my 20d through last summer. I gave in and purchased the cooled Moravian G2-8300 and haven't looked back... go cooled CDD you'll love it;)

[adman]

I saw that one - but I have sworn off polar scopes since putting my neck out trying to align my old EQ5!

Adam

[adman]

Here are some 100% crops of the 550D in action at different temps:

they were taken with different scopes, hence the differences in image scale and contrast etc.

[jjjnettie]

:( yeah, it's a crying shame isn't it. All that time wasted.
I had to throw out 3.5hrs of m83 one time.

[pmrid]

Hi folks, a quick note to let any EQ6 owners among you know that I have installed my Pegasus pier on it's own concrete base that sits out with the two existing slabs. It has the top plate to fit an EQ6 - and in due course it will also be able to take my Dall-Kirkham whenever I finish the truss arrangement for it. (That could be never of course - at the current rate of progress).

Also, a reminder that I also have a polar scope for a G8-G11 here for anyone that wants one.

This isn't a good time for new moon nights I know but I'm hoping to see a bit of action anyway - if the weather allows and anyone who wants to duck out is welcome to do so.
Peter

[pmrid]

I suspect that Xmas may be a few days early: according to Skippy at least. Tonight is looking promising at this stage.
If there is any sort of break in the weather in the week after Xmas, I'm open to suggestions. On current plans I will spend most of that week too pissed to drive anywhere anyway.
Whatever, hope everyone has a nice break for a few days and gets lots of astro gear from Santa.
Peter

[ozstronomer]

Hi Peter

I have between XMAS and New Year off. If the weather cooperates I'll pop up during the week, I'll keep an eye on Skippy and keep my fingers crossed.

All the best to you and all the 10Chain Hill Gang...Merry XMAS and A Happy New Year :)

Geoff and Matt

[RobF]

Yes, Merry Christmas Peter and all the 10 Chainers.
I'd love to get up sometime over the next week if weather behaves Peter. Very hard to call though - almost a day to day thing. Fingers crossed.

[RickS]

Hope you all have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year! I'll be working next week, but I could probably have a late start one day if the weather is kind ;)

At least I've had enough clear sky this week to get FocusMax working with my Atlas and grab a couple of bright targets from home.

Cheers,
Rick.

[adman]

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone! I doubt I will make it up there till the new year. Too much going on these holidays for me.

Cheers
Adam

[Tandum]

Same here, I doubt I'll get away next week, so Have a Merry Xmas everyone.

[ozstronomer]

All 10 Chain Hillers...

I am looking to change mobile providers, currently on Telstra and get good coverage at Peters.

Is any one on the Optus network and do you get good signal while at 10 Chain Hill?

Geoff

[RobF]

I'm with optus (Virgin) Geoff and was surprised to see quite a few bars at Peter's last time. Didn't actually use the phone mind you.

[ozstronomer]

Thanks for the info Rob, fingers crossed for a fine new moon:)

[pmrid]

I have a whacking great 3G booster antenna up here that I could very easily plonk onto the side of the shed for anyone with a mobile with an external antenna jack. Some do. Both my Samsungs do but my el-cheapo Virgin doesn't. I find that both Telstra and Virgin get fair reception without it but 6 bars with.
SIng out if you want me to put it up somewhere for your use. (That doesn't sound very nice does it?)

Peter

[Tandum]

I'm on a TPG $10/month plan and I think that's via Optus.
I was able to phone home last time I was there although signal was pretty weak.
It's easier on the batteries if you turn it off :)

[Tandum]

Peter,
Here's a sample of gradient removal from those tools I was looking at.

1st is the gradient, 2nd is two passes with annies actions and 3rd is gradient xtermnator. Notice xterminator left a black ring around that central star.

[pmrid]

How much difference would it make if you took good flats? Wouldn't that deal with the bulk of gradients?
P.

[Tandum]

The gradients are from light pollution, that triplet shot is flat fielded.
The eternal flame at the refinery did that but I also get similar in NB subs when the moon is close.
The way the weather is, I need to fix them instead of tossing them :)

[adman]

Yep - ditto for me geoff - they must have put up a new tower somewhere in the last year or so, because there was no reception there at all when I first started going a couple of years ago. Now I get not only phone, but decent 3G signal also.

Adam

[ozstronomer]

Thanks for the info guys, catch everyone in the new year

[RickS]

Robin,

I did a quick DBE (DynamicBackgroundExtraction) in PixInsight. It is one of my favourite tools :thumbsup: Pics below are your original, the DBE processed version and a slightly stretched version of the background that DBE removed. That's a very colourful and complex gradient!

Cheers,
Rick.

[Tandum]

Cheers Rick, That background looks very much like a median filtered and blurred image out of PS, attached. If you layer it as difference you get this result, although this example is a bit heavy handed and I've found that way a bit iffy when you use it on nebula. This gradient xterminator seems to be a pretty good all rounder for what I need. A lot of those annie's astro actions (http://www.eprisephoto.com/) don't seem to work real well and the gradient tool won't work on gray scale, but for $10 just now, they where worth a look and there are a few NB tools coming for it. The CN croud seem to like them.

[pmrid]

OK. Thinking caps on please. We need a name for this edifice. Current suggestions include:
Star Bar (a little prosaic);
Far Queue BarNGrill(a little risque);
Tatooine Hilton (for Star Wars fans);

The winning entry earns the right to paint the necessary signage.

Peter

[RickS]

Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grille?

[pmrid]

Would I have to provide Matzoh Ball soup?
P.