Secret Still Observatory

'Star, star teach me how to shine, shine'

Mark

1 minute read

    Integration time (running total):
    * OSC 365 X 60s (365m)
    * Total: 6h05m
    
    Integration time target
    * Target: 6 hours
    * Progress: 100%

Notes

Seeing index: Excellent 5/4
Jet stream: Poor (32m/s) Moon phase: 80%
Transparency: Poor

Mid-Wales Dark Sky

Observing plan for Bortle 3 dark sky trip

Mark

1 minute read

Almost defeated by the dire Autumn weather. On the night of 9th a brief 45 minute spell with gaps to the heavens gave poor views of M31 but surprisingly good ones of M57 (x150). The following morning dawned clear (again briefly, after another night of thick cloud) to the beautiful sight of the crescent Moon with earthshine, Venus and between the two the still-visible star Regulus in Leo.

Mark

2 minute read

    Integration time (running total):
    * OSC 139 X 120s (278m)
    * Total: 4h38m
    
    Integration time target
    * Target: 12 hours
    * Progress: 39%

The bright supernova SN2023IXF currently visible in M101, the Pinwheel Galaxy.

Mark

1 minute read

    Integration time (running total):
    * OSC 63 X 120s (330m)
    * Total: 5h30m
    
    Integration time target
    * Target: 6 hours
    * Progress: 92%

Another try in the latter stages of this year’s galaxy season where the weather has been so awful. Aiming for some good resolution and brightness using the 268C and a fast Newtonian.

Mark

1 minute read

    Integration time (running total):
    * OSC 11 X 120s (22m)
    * Total: 0h22m
    
    Integration time target
    * Target: 2 hours
    * Progress: 18%

This is another experiment on the feasibility of using an F12 scope for deep sky imaging. I have deliberately chosen an object close to the zenith which should remain visible for some time with the aim of completing a multi-night image before the end of galaxy season. The altitude will decline as we enter the month of June so the next two…

M3

Mark

2 minute read

    Integration time:
    * OSC 33 X 120s (66m)
    * Total: 1h06m

This evening was unexpectedly clear though with a thin layer of high, semi-tramsparent cloud which affected guiding and visibility. Around half the gathered frames were discarded. The clouds got thicker around 1 am so I closed the observatory roof and left the calibration frames for the morning. As has been the case recently, calibration frames have been very problematic but I did finally resolve two outstanding issues:

Mark

1 minute read

    Integration time:
    * OSC 148 X 120s (296m)
    * Total: 4h56m
    

3rd May 2023 Having initially imaged this in December, I have only now been able to process this properly but again without flats (disaster struck again!)

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