2010 – The year in review from the Doghouse

[h0ughy (David)]

2010 – The year in review from the Doghouse

I thought that this year i would have a little monologue of how my year has came and gone - yes, yet again the spaceship earth has brought us all to this time of year when the mastercard cops a hiding?

For me personally it has been a bit of a mixed bag, but on the whole I am happy and getting better and better every day . I have a few images published locally and overseas, I attended Astrofest and brought home a lot of photons, I built my lovely Doghouse Observatory in the beginning of the year, and just recently embarked on a beginning of my new quest for photons by re tooling for the future with a C11 hyperstar scope and a QHY10 imaging camera – imaging at F2!!!

I have enjoyed the time spent with other of similar ilk, and enjoyed the day at IISAC this year and especially my time at Queensland Astrofest – there is no event like this!!! It is the only time of year that one can truly relax and take in the scenery. This year saw the introduction of the Astrotrac - brilliant bit of kit – liked it so much I bought a second one – you can never get enough photons

I wish to acknowledge the help and advice I have received from some close Astrofriends – Paul Russell, RB and Alan Meehan. I wish to congratulate Alan for taking out the astrophotography award for the deepsky section at astrofest; Mate, that is a fantastic personal achievement and couldnt happen to a nicer bloke. Paul’s tuition and advice has been invaluable, especially when setting the gear up, he can fix most frustrations with alignments of just about anything (I couldn’t find south if my life depended on it LOL). Thanks mate for the help. As for RB – well - he has been my conscience. One must always consult your conscience before going off and doing some thing stupid – sorry RB I should have listened . He enjoys spending my money!

I also wish to thank some of the more advanced Astrophotographers for their advice throughout the year. I have taken note of many things. For the foreseeable future I will be upgrading my mount to one that can handle a bit of weight and is robust enough to suit my needs – I hope to get a Losmandy Titan late next year, or earlier if the dollar looks like sliding out of existence.

The biggest downer for me has been illness at crucial times (SPSP and IISAC) and this incessant CLOUD. but its not my fault - Honest

My goals for 2011 are to improve my image processing, bag a terabyte of data from Astrofest, automate the dome of the doghouse, learn some photoshop techniques, attend the inaugural Astro imaging conference in Brisbane, and lastly hope my wife gathers more understanding of my astroimaging needs. Somehow one of those statements may never happen.

SO may all your Christmases come at once and you get all of what you need, mine is in the mail……..Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all.

[hotspur (Chris)]

Yeah,well 2010 was pretty much a none event-astronomy wise here in S.E QLD.

The cloudy days and nights,have been more than regular.

Unfortunately.we only had two new moon nights here on the Blackbutt Range
observing grounds.Only 4 people attended-but what a great couple of nights.

I look forward to David,Mark,Mike and Geoff coming for some viewing and astro-photography next year.

The AAQ meeting and camp oven meal was cancelled due to rain,so really hope we can get one happening next year.

Astrofest,was a good catch up with people,but that's all,one night had 3 inches of rain!

The one,BIG positive for me personally was one astro-photograph I took,that went of around the world,to earn fame and fortune!-oh how I love royalties!,Over 17'000 people viewed it on this forum alone,so I was rather amazed.

I never ever thought,a photo I took would produce such amazing results from a world wide audience,and be a commercial success earning thousands of dollars.And be the subject of much praise from many scientist around the world.(It's currently in Italian Science Magazine,along with the story.The mag has a readership of 30K plus,so my agent says)

I must say a big thank you to some of the members here,who I have learnt quite a bit off,and received very helpful advice off.

Lets hope there is a bit less cloud next year,and we can get some great observing in.

Cheers,and all the best for Xmas/new year

Chris

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

It's always a joy to see you at Astrofest Dave. Brings a smile to my dial every time.
Congratulations on your achievements over the past year.
I hope next year brings you good health and clear skies.

[astroron (Ron)]

Always a pleasure to catch up with you at Astrofest Dave.
I hope 2011 brings you health and astro happyness
cheers

[leon]

Dave I have never met you but feel that i know you through your posts.
Great report, and I hope all your dreams and wishes come true, have a great Christmas and all the best for the new year.

And of coarse to all the crew of IIS be safe, and enjoy where ever you may be.

Leon

[h0ughy (David)]

thanks guys and gal. I think its only a beginning - some real big events to come up yet - Venus transit in 2012 and the total lunar eclipse - really looking forward to that.

One thing i probably will do very late in 2011 is pimp the C11 and do what Marc did with his - add 3 anti flop bolts and two cooling fans. I am really looking forward to imaging at F2.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Its always a pleasure catching up Dave. And it has been abig year this year for you by the sounds of it. next year if you make it to the Astroimaging Conference you would be welcome to spend the intervening time between it and astrofest at the dark little site on the sunshine coast.

[h0ughy (David)]

well thats the problem Paul - if i go to the astro conference and stay i will have been gone from home for nearly a month - which is a no no. if i come up for the imaging conference it will be for a day or so and return on plane - then come back the following week for astrofest

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

So long as you make it up Dave. Looking forward it.

[Jen]

good on ya Dave you have come a long way in this last year
Oh man i wouldnt complain about your doghouse pretty spoilt i reakon
All the best for next year buddy (good luck with the mrs)

[duncan]

Ahh!! it's always great to hear and see from Houghy and his mates!!!!!!!!!!.
All the best for XMAS & New year to you all.
And well done on your achievements for the year, i envy you all.
Cheers,
Duncan

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Jen

good on ya Dave you have come a long way in this last year
Oh man i wouldnt complain about your doghouse pretty spoilt i reakon
All the best for next year buddy (good luck with the mrs)

thanks Jen - to think that the wife and kids may even come with me to the beach tomorrow night for the lunar eclipse - mind you though i have to buy them dinner as a bribe LOL

Originally Posted by duncan

Ahh!! it's always great to hear and see from Houghy and his mates!!!!!!!!!!.
All the best for XMAS & New year to you all.
And well done on your achievements for the year, i envy you all.
Cheers,
Duncan

thanks Duncan