Newbie from NZ here

john_drummond (John Drummond) · #1 25-03-2005, 05:41 AM

Hi all,

just joined this group and someone from this group said I should introduce myself and "show us your rig"...

I live in Gisborne (New Zealand - don't shot me!) and have a 16" (41cm) f4.5 Newtonian Meade Starfinder (with a modified mount - using Anssen Technologies (Oz) stuff) with an 8" (20 cm) f4 Vixen Newt guidescope. I have loved astronomy since a child and mainly do comet observations, DSO observing, and astrophotography.

My setup and images can be seen at:

http://www.possumobservatory.co.nz

My most recent images can be seen at:

http://www.possumobservatory.co.nz/l...continuing.htm

or

http://tinyurl.com/6229b

I look forward to continuing the trans-Tasman relations!

Cheers

John Drummond
Gisborne, New Zealand
E 178* 03', S 38* 40'
email: john_drummond@xtra.co.nz
website: http://www.possumobservatory.co.nz

gbeal · #2 25-03-2005, 07:51 AM

Welcome old timer, what took you so long?
Gary

atalas · #3 25-03-2005, 08:00 AM

G'day John

Welcome to my planet dude ! nice photo's on your site, John I'd like to see what you would do with an RC in your hands.

Louie

gbeal · #4 25-03-2005, 08:11 AM

Yeah, I forgot to mention this guy is THE astrophotographer from this side of the Tassie. Beware.
He does have a weird affinity for frogs however.

Striker (Tony) · #5 25-03-2005, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Welcome old timer, what took you so long?

Welcome John......is their any young folk left in New Zealand....lol

acropolite (Phil) · #6 25-03-2005, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Yeah, I forgot to mention this guy is THE astrophotographer from this side of the Tassie. Beware.
He does have a weird affinity for frogs however.

Welcome John
Doesn't matter where you go someone knows you.....

Sign your frogs up as well, mike wants as many new members as he can get...

silvinator · #7 25-03-2005, 08:51 AM

Welcome John! I'm flabbergasted by the quality of your astrophotos and can only hope I might one day obtain pictures as good as yours. Inspiring stuff!
Hope you enjoy our ever-growing family here

john_drummond (John Drummond) · #8 25-03-2005, 09:33 AM

Hi all,

thanks for the welcome! In case you're wondering about the comments re my affinity to frogs, this arose when a friend put some photos on NZ Astronomers (Yahoo Group) of me inside my telescope doing some upgrades - image attached...

Cheers

John ('frog legs')

Starkler (Geoff) · #9 25-03-2005, 09:33 AM

Hi John and welcome.

Suburb astro photos there mate

atalas · #10 25-03-2005, 10:34 AM

John it's just a reflection of the stars,there not realy in the tube!

Louie

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #11 25-03-2005, 10:52 AM

Hi john,

Welcome to the group. I was actually over from Oz in Gisborne for 5 days over Xmas N/Year for a wedding. Would have been nice to know you then and I could have done an observing session with you.

CS-John Bambury

mch62 (Mark) · #12 25-03-2005, 11:27 AM

Gday John , I studied your observatory design quite a bit when I was looking at building an observatory.
Found your web site in the http://obs.nineplanets.org/obs/obslist.html .

The idea of the rotating building intrigued me quite a lot , but have gone with a simpler design.
Great personal web site you have.
Mark

Ashgill · #13 25-03-2005, 12:55 PM

Old timer, eh? Glad you made it to the boards!
Now start posting and making yourself useful, soldier!

ving (David) · #14 25-03-2005, 01:53 PM

hi and welcome aboard. hope you enjoy your stay.
thats some serious size bucket you have there!

rumples riot · #15 25-03-2005, 02:07 PM

Welcome to the site John, Very impressive rig and astrophotography. I hope that we can benefit from the experience and no doubt wisdom that you possess.

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #16 25-03-2005, 02:25 PM

the "pot in Orion"...one of the best images of the Orion area I have ever seen.

Wow

Dave47tuc (David) · #17 25-03-2005, 02:45 PM

John,
Great to see you here.

You and john. B put some good experience here

Enjoy.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #18 25-03-2005, 03:20 PM

John. After looking at your site I'm certainly hoping to meet up with you at the NZ astrophotofest in May to pick your brains.

Robby · #19 25-03-2005, 04:45 PM

About time JD.. Good to see you here. Two of the forum members are on their way to the NZ Astrophotography weekend in May. Westsky & 1ponders.
Guys, John is the "other" conspiritor in the weekend organisational structure!! He is sorting out the program, so if there's anything you want included, JD is the man, or frog! Full credit

[1ponders] (Paul) · #20 25-03-2005, 04:49 PM

I'm certainly looking forward to it. Just gotta work out with westsky what were going to bring to play with