[Greg Bock (Greg Bock)]

Name: Greg Bock
Location: Windaroo, Queensland


Type of Program: Supernova search program known as the “3S (Snapshot Supernova Search) Program” which operated between 2004 and 2007, now to be re-developed and operated again in 2010 in conjunction with the BOSS team.

Number of observations per year:
The following stats apply to the “3S Program” at Bannockburn Observatory 2004 to end 2007 inclusive.

My stats only counting the ST8 images. (I used an MX516 between 31 August 2000, and 9 March 2004 with no record of how many I took)
No. galaxies on my list = 403, all classed as spirals

2004 – 21/2 to 31/12 = 1478
2005 – 19/1 to 24/12 = 3672
2006 – 9/1 to 23/11 = 2166 (numbers reduced once I commenced working with Sicame and had to travel alot, and also upgraded the 10” Meade to a 12” Meade which cost some time)
2007 – 29/3 to 29/11 = 1884.(No SN search images in January and February while I was side tracked with colour imaging with the Canon 350D thru the MN61, and observatory closed when we moved house mid December 2007)

2008 – 2009, no observatory at home in Windaroo. Instead, much colour imaging done at Leyburn each available month. ‘Leyburn Dusty Downs’ observatory first light night on 25 April 2009.

Total “3S Program” supernova search images taken for 4 years = 9,200 images, at an av. per month for Feb 2004 to Nov 2007 is 200. (9200/46)

During those 4 years, the ST8 recorded 27,684 images, of which 9,200 were kept as part of SN searching, others were for colour images, test images, just playing around, etc

Observations submitted to (eg CBAT): None as a discoverer. However, I have searched for SN since the late 80’s in various ways, but have also assisted a number of principal investigators and discoverers with post discovery confirmation work to confirm and publish a number of SN suspects going back to the early 2000’s. This includes discoveries by Bob Evans, Peter Marples, and Stuart Parker available from CBAT.

How many years interested in astronomy: 45
Achievements: just personal ones involving imaging, building various scopes, and lotsa astro-fun with mates at Leyburn and other dark sky sites in south east Qld with the BAS and SAS over the last 23 years.


Scope Used: For the “3S Program”, 10” and 12” LX200’s in Bannockburn Observatory, 14” LX200R ready to go at new Windaroo Observatory early 2010. For colour imaging at “Leyburn Dusty Downs”, mainly use a 6”F6 Intes MN61.


Mount Used: Meade LX200GPs, and Losmandy Gemini G8, Losmandy G11.


Camera (if applicable) used: “3S Program” - ST8, colour images taken with a Canon 350D unmodded.


As of January 2010, Windaroo Observatory is under construction (very slow) and will include a Meade 14” LX200R on a Losmandy G11 for continuation of the “3S Program” with the BOSS team. Hope to be operational early 2010.


Greg Bock
BackyardObservatorySupernova Search
Windaroo, Qld. Halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Life is too short for a small telescope.