Astronomy goals for the coming year?

xelasnave · #1 27-12-2008, 09:17 AM

I have a short list... to get my gear working

... 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 · #2 27-12-2008, 09:18 AM

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

alex

Jen · #3 27-12-2008, 01:46 PM

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

Ric · #4 27-12-2008, 05:29 PM

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

Cheers

acropolite (Phil) · #5 27-12-2008, 07:38 PM

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 · #6 27-12-2008, 08:02 PM

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.

Leon

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #7 27-12-2008, 08:13 PM

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 (Peter) · #8 27-12-2008, 08:49 PM

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

mozzie

Lester · #9 27-12-2008, 09:09 PM

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 (Rod) · #10 28-12-2008, 07:40 AM

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 (David) · #11 28-12-2008, 10:07 AM

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

Ian Robinson · #12 28-12-2008, 04:57 PM

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 (Craig) · #13 28-12-2008, 04:59 PM

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 (Carl) · #14 28-12-2008, 05:15 PM

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 (Ron) · #15 28-12-2008, 06:26 PM

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 · #16 28-12-2008, 07:16 PM

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

matt · #17 28-12-2008, 07:26 PM

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 · #18 28-12-2008, 07:27 PM

**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 (Rob) · #19 28-12-2008, 09:20 PM

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....

AlexN · #20 28-12-2008, 09:34 PM

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