What have you been up to lately?

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Lady Fraktor Slovakia
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1321

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Congratulations Lyle
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
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Ylem United States of America
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1322

Post by Ylem »


I won this hat at my astronomy club meeting triva;
20231113_005244.jpg

What was the name of the Soviet moon rocket?


N1
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1323

Post by Lady Fraktor »


I posted a video around 2 years ago showing how the N1 rocket engines operated with their closed cycle combustion chamber which nobody else had done.
Quite powerful engines.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1324

Post by JSBach1801 »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 4:21 am Congratulations Lyle
Thank you!
Lyle In Utah

Telescopes: William Optics Zenithstar 73 III APO, ZWO 30mm f/4 Mini Guide Scope
Cameras: Sony a7IV Mirrorless, ZWO ASI120MM-MINI
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1325

Post by StarBru »


JSBach1801 wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 4:10 am One week ago today, I proposed to my girlfriend (now my fiancé) of one year. Wedding's in April, :D
Congrats to you both!
Bruce

Refractors: Meade AR-5 127mm f/9.3, Meade ST-80 f/5 and Meade 60mm f/12, Jason 60mm f/15 #313, Jason 60mm f/12 #306 S7, Bushnell Sky Chief III 60mm f/15.
Reflectors/Catadioptrics: Meade 10" F/4 Schmidt-Newtonian, Galileo 120mm f/8.3 Newtonian, Meade 2045D 4" f/10 SCT, Meade ETX-90EC f/13.8 & Sarblue 60mm f/12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrains.
Mounts: Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro & Meade LXD55 Equatorial mounts, ES Twilight II and Meade 2102 ALT/AZ mounts, a modified 10" SkyQuest Dobsonian mount, various 60mm EQ mounts.
Misc: Celestron 20x80mm binoculars, Revolution II Imager/accessories, & lots of optical accessories/eyepieces.
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1326

Post by StarBru »


SkyHiker wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 3:01 am I am recovering from minor surgery almost 2 weeks ago. It was performed by an autonomous robot and went well AFAIK, after one night in the hospital they sent me home. The recovery normally takes 3 to 4 weeks. In the meantime, I am not allowed to lift anything above 15 lbs. or do strenuous exercise. Last Monday I hiked Gaviota Peak nevertheless, perhaps not the brightest idea. I feel perfectly normal, just have to be careful to let the innards recover. I am not going to open and close the roof of the observatory for a while. Meanwhile I've started working on the DSS source code where I would like to see some live stacking and editing improvements. I managed to build it and am studying to see how it works. At least that I can do.
Well, be careful and I hope you heal soon!
Bruce

Refractors: Meade AR-5 127mm f/9.3, Meade ST-80 f/5 and Meade 60mm f/12, Jason 60mm f/15 #313, Jason 60mm f/12 #306 S7, Bushnell Sky Chief III 60mm f/15.
Reflectors/Catadioptrics: Meade 10" F/4 Schmidt-Newtonian, Galileo 120mm f/8.3 Newtonian, Meade 2045D 4" f/10 SCT, Meade ETX-90EC f/13.8 & Sarblue 60mm f/12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrains.
Mounts: Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro & Meade LXD55 Equatorial mounts, ES Twilight II and Meade 2102 ALT/AZ mounts, a modified 10" SkyQuest Dobsonian mount, various 60mm EQ mounts.
Misc: Celestron 20x80mm binoculars, Revolution II Imager/accessories, & lots of optical accessories/eyepieces.
Projects: 8" f/2.9 and 65mm f/10 reflectors, Dobson-style binocular mirror mount.
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1327

Post by Graeme1858 »


Went fishing today with my son. It was nice to have a relaxing day. We caught three of these:

IMG-20231115-WA0004.jpg


Graeme
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1328

Post by DeanD »


I ran my last paid gig with my portable Planetarium today...

Over the last decade or so I have travelled all over my home state of South Australia, and visited more than 1/2 of the schools and libraries in the state. Usually I have run 50-60 minute sessions including a 20 minute, 360-degree movie (very popular!) as well as a presentation using the planetarium software tailored to the age group present (covering the curriculum requirements for each year level). I have had approximately 200,000 people come through my 5 metre dome: all ages from 3 to 90, but of course mainly school children. In the same time I have run star viewing nights for approximately 20,000 people (again mainly schoolchildren). Responses have been consistently very positive, and the children have often complained when the bell goes to finish the session (a very good sign!). I even had a 7yo girl come up to me last week to say "This is the best thing that has has ever happened in my life!" !!?? :)

In a few weeks I will take the dome, projector etc. to a science-education mob based in country Victoria (the next state over) and help them set it up for its next life.

Feeling a bit sad at the moment: lots of mixed emotions!, but I guess all things come to an end. Maybe I will get stuck into the imaging and sketching that I have been meaning to do for years, not to mention finally getting around to building that 14" binocular telescope project that has been sitting in my shed for several years!

Hopefully I have excited and encouraged lots of children to explore our wonderful world and universe, and to make a difference as they develop their lives.

- Dean
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1329

Post by helicon »


That's pretty incredible Dean. You truly are a master of outreach! Good luck on whatever projects you end up working on.
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1330

Post by Ylem »


Absolutely a horrible morning here, it's going to be hard to continue on...
20231122_105339.jpg
The coffee maker has died 😢
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1331

Post by Ylem »


Back to the 80s, going to see a Pink Floyd laser show at the planetarium with some old friends :)
Last edited by Ylem on Sat Nov 25, 2023 5:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1332

Post by Big_Eight »


I am relaxing this evening after having a great Thanksgiving with the family at our house. I haven't done a lot of peaking through my telescope lately (but I want too). Right now, I am trying to find that life/school balance. I have decided to go back to school for a major career shift after being a Geologist for 15 years. Which path did I decide to pursue you ask? Well, I of course took a challenging one that I think I will find very satisfying and that is electrical engineering with an aerospace concentration. Wish me luck! Hopefully I can get out and view some stars here before too long!
Telescope: Orion Starblast 6i newtonian tabletop
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1333

Post by Nakedgun »


~

Wife took a shot of me at the track the other day.


:
IMGP6561 - Copy - Copy (2).JPG

:




.
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1334

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Nice that you can still get out on track.
My season ended 2 weeks ago and today the seasonal tear down for inspection and replacement starts.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
The only culture I have is from yogurt
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1335

Post by Nakedgun »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 4:18 am Nice that you can still get out on track.
My season ended 2 weeks ago and today the seasonal tear down for inspection and replacement starts.
~

Fortunately for me I don't suffer the winter weather you have, my cold sensitivity increases with age.



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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1336

Post by pakarinen »


Ordered an 8x50 RACI finder for my ST102, moved the 6x30 RACI onto my ST80. I now have a RACI on all three of my fracs.

It's been too cloudy to try out the 8x50, but I might give it a quick look tonight - very quick since it's supposed to be down to 16°F by 20:00.
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1337

Post by SkyHiker »


I moved the AP gear from my 12" GSO to my ED127CF. I haven't used the ole triplet in 7 years or so. I had to figure out how to attach the autofocuser. For this I had to get some screws from the hardware store. What do you know, the bracket fit perfectly. I glued some feet from cut up foam corks to my Pegasus for some traction on the OTA. The Pi on top of it, rubber band around the whole thing and it sits perfectly stable. Instead of the OAG I went back to my SSAG guide scope, with the new QHY guide scope of course. To separate the rings from the old setup I had to use to strap wrenches. It worked fine, thankfully, even on the 2 mm one. I needed a 1.25" extension for my autoguider, thankfully I found one. It took me the whole afternoon to move it over but it is working now, taking some M45 images. It's quite windy so we'll see but I'm happy it is all working.
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1338

Post by SkyHiker »


Here are some pictures. I think it looks pretty clean. The new cork feet of the Pegasus are out of sight but that simple fix completely stabilizes the setup. The Pi sits on top of it. The humongous oak tree is shedding leaves, one of them fell in the dew shield.
IMG_1546_small.jpg
IMG_1544_small.jpg
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1339

Post by SkyHiker »


Just moved it over to the ED80. That wasn't hard because it has the same Explore Scientific stock focuser. It looks OK, hopefully it will be clear tonight, if ClearOutside is totally mistaken about the 100% clouds.
IMG_1548_small.jpg
IMG_1551_small.jpg
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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Re: What have you been up to lately?

#1340

Post by JSBach1801 »


Ylem wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 4:14 pm Absolutely a horrible morning here, it's going to be hard to continue on...

20231122_105339.jpg

The coffee maker has died 😢
RIP :violin:
Lyle In Utah

Telescopes: William Optics Zenithstar 73 III APO, ZWO 30mm f/4 Mini Guide Scope
Cameras: Sony a7IV Mirrorless, ZWO ASI120MM-MINI
Mount: Sky Watcher EQM-35i
Control: ASIAIR Plus
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