Now that I am on semester break from SAO, I decided to give the new (to me) FSQ106N a whirl. Its been sitting in its pelican box waiting to be taken out for the last 2 months.
I have a QSI583 wsg and it worked a treat - autoguiding was a snap with that new acrylic disk in the imaging train and with pulse guiding. (Damn dodgy ST-4 cable led me on a merry chase of my own tail!).
Anyhow, here is that windy night from last week - 50 minutes L, 15 minutes each RGB. Stars are fat and the whole picture is a bit noisy. But as a first shot with the new scope, I am a v happy camper.
How are you going with the SAO (which course are you doing??).
I started with the Grad Certificate course - choose any 4 subjects. I finished that last year and have kept going so I guess I'm now moving on to the Diploma and if I am patient enough, finish off with the Master of Science.
So far I've done the introductory solar system, stars and galaxy subjects (just finished the galaxy one). These are all mandatory for the MSc I think. Also done the radio astronomy subject which was a real challenge but fascinating. The astrophotography subject was also good - I (foolishly) thought it would be a softer option. Not so of course.
I'm looking forward to the cosmology/relativity subject next year as well as the particle physics subject. Next term is observational astronomy. Hopefully familiar but I expect it to be challenging nevertheless.
To be honest, I am loving it. 1 subject a term is plenty - it can be a demanding course in terms of hours and trying to squeeze it in among full time work and family commitments is a challenge.But its well worth it
I cheat Pete by using dew straps to thermostatically heat my 300mm lens just above the ambient temperature before an imaging run starts. Focus once equilibrium is reached, and that way focus is maintained all night no matter what the ambient temperature does.
In Melboune 'summer' ambient on a clear night can be from 25C down to about 5C. In winter it can range from 16C to 1C. I leave the heater on 24/7 as that way my optic never gets condensation on it and it is always ready to roll at a moments notice.
I started with the Grad Certificate course - choose any 4 subjects. I finished that last year and have kept going so I guess I'm now moving on to the Diploma and if I am patient enough, finish off with the Master of Science.
So far I've done the introductory solar system, stars and galaxy subjects (just finished the galaxy one). These are all mandatory for the MSc I think. Also done the radio astronomy subject which was a real challenge but fascinating. The astrophotography subject was also good - I (foolishly) thought it would be a softer option. Not so of course.
I'm looking forward to the cosmology/relativity subject next year as well as the particle physics subject. Next term is observational astronomy. Hopefully familiar but I expect it to be challenging nevertheless.
To be honest, I am loving it. 1 subject a term is plenty - it can be a demanding course in terms of hours and trying to squeeze it in among full time work and family commitments is a challenge.But its well worth it
Pete
Great to hear you're liking it
If you can, try and get your masters. Then, if you want to go all the way, your masters will get you into a PhD course. Then you'll be a professional astronomer!!!
I cheat Pete by using dew straps to thermostatically heat my 300mm lens just above the ambient temperature before an imaging run starts. Focus once equilibrium is reached, and that way focus is maintained all night no matter what the ambient temperature does.
In Melboune 'summer' ambient on a clear night can be from 25C down to about 5C. In winter it can range from 16C to 1C. I leave the heater on 24/7 as that way my optic never gets condensation on it and it is always ready to roll at a moments notice.
If you can, try and get your masters. Then, if you want to go all the way, your masters will get you into a PhD course. Then you'll be a professional astronomer!!!
Carl,
I think the divorce will come before the PhD! Actually its my kids who jack up towards the end of semester
I have to say, its great the way the course is laid out. 12 weeks of "lessons", 2 weeks to finish off the project (always needed and usually accompanied by lousy weather) and then 2 1/2 months off to recover and remind the family what I look like.
I think the divorce will come before the PhD! Actually its my kids who jack up towards the end of semester
I have to say, its great the way the course is laid out. 12 weeks of "lessons", 2 weeks to finish off the project (always needed and usually accompanied by lousy weather) and then 2 1/2 months off to recover and remind the family what I look like.
At this rate I have only 3 1/2 years to go
Pete
They wouldn't get to see you all that often anyway, being a solicitor
I can just see it now....SWMBO: "Peter, if I hear another word about laminar flow, mesoscale turbulence, adiabatic lapse rates, atmospheric temperature profiles and giant planet atmospheres, I swear, I'll.......!!!!"
