Kumeu Observatory Log

MOA 2011-BLG-139

2011-05-09T21:51:00.001+12:00

MOA 2011-BLG-139

RA: 18:10:22.34
Dec: -27:32:56.36
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST10 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-3200ME
Filters: Wratten #12
Autoguider X=?? Y=??
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: David Moorhouse

MOA 2011-BLG-036

2011-03-30T20:09:00.000+13:00

MOA 2011-BLG-036

RA: 18:13:45.44
Dec: -26:28:58.11
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Autoguider X=?? Y=??
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: David Moorhouse

MOA 2010-BLG-394

2010-07-14T20:56:00.001+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-394

RA: 18:05:53.27
Dec: -31:23:59.47
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Autoguider X=90 Y=203
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse Michelle Knowler

MOA 2010-BLG-392

2010-07-12T18:57:00.001+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-392

RA: 18:08:10.14
Dec: -25:15:21.46
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Autoguider X=176 Y=44
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse Michelle Knowler

10 July 2010 UT
Excellent transparency and good seeing. Target is still somewhat faint.
Not doing an all night run because the target is days away from peak.

Note there is a break in the middle of this run, but all the images
are uploaded in the same zip file because nothing was changed, and the
telescope was not moved. (We were doing some camera tests for a while.)

- Guy+Michelle

11 July 2010 UT
Conditions tonight are very marginal. There is some high cloud
tied to a very slowly moving weather system. Unfortunately
we are right on the edge, and it could go either way at any
time during the night. The seeing is also very poor, which
is not helping image quality. The worst images have already
been removed.

On the other hand, Michelle was on-site and taking images as
early as 0630 UT. This means the data does span a considerable
amount of time, even if it is at sporadic intervals. Guy gave
up shortly before 1300 UT.

- Michelle+Guy

MOA 2010-BLG-349

2010-06-30T22:57:00.001+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-349

RA: 17:53:27.65
Dec: -28:24:43.34
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Autoguider X=26 Y=170
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse Michelle Knowler

MOA 2010-BLG-311

2010-06-16T04:17:00.008+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-311
RA: 18:08:49.98
Dec: -25:57:04.27
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Autoguider X=266 Y=28
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse, Michelle Knowler

MB10311.jpg image this is from tonight and is much sharper

15 June 2010 UT
images 001 to 016
Just managed to get a few images before the target set. Last image has an airmass of about 3 but is obvious
16 June
_a images 017 to 029
Fantastic seeing tonight, images are much improved on last night. Did one hour to start with to get some data in the can and have switched to 092. Will get some more later in the night.

_b images 030 to 108 second and biggest batch for the night. Again still great skies and seeing. There is a gap of images numbered
095 to 104, lost the autoguider and it re-captured in a different framing i.e. target is not close to center. These images are fine but I think need to be processed seperately?
**Also note new 00_finder

_c images 095 to 104
these images have a shift right and up compared to all the other images. I have not re-centered them as this
would crop the image severely so thought it best if I left them for you guys just un-touched. At least you
have the data.

17 June 2010 UT

_a images 109 to 117
fisrt images of the night showed greater than expected increase in brightness so looks like high mag event.

_b images 118 to 157: 0820 to 1140UT
target still rising at 1140 UT no sign of the top yet. Still clear but storm clouds out to sea in both directions it's only a matter of time :-(

MOA 2010-BLG-285

2010-06-07T14:37:00.000+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-285
RA: 17:56:48.16
Dec: -30:00:39.47
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Autoguider X= Y=
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse, Michelle Knowler

MOA 2010-BLG-266

2010-06-03T23:34:00.003+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-266

RA: 17:54:50.84
Dec: -34:15:40.35
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Autoguider X=182 Y=196
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse, Michelle Knowler

MOA 2010-BLG-092

2010-06-03T18:01:00.003+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-092

RA: 18:18:57.69
Dec: -26:10:05.50
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Autoguider X=249 Y=96
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse, Michelle Knowler

First night 3 Jun 2010

Clear night, good seeing. Some images have rather poor focus. Nothing to major however.

6 June 2010 UT
Very marginal night but got a few holes in the clouds. Most of the five only images have
had a small amount of cloud passing during the exposure but not enough to ruin the image.
Seeing and focus fairly poor.

15 June 2010 UT
perfectly clear night, quick photometry showed target still dropping,
Michelle

16 June
fantastic clear sky perfect seeing. Just got six images before the event was called off as it is a binary.
Dave and Michelle

MOA 2010-BLG-274

2010-06-03T17:59:00.000+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-274

RA: 17:52:24.11
Dec: -33:03:55.57
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Autoguider X= Y=
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse, Michelle Knowler

MOA 2010-BLG-073

2010-05-04T23:03:00.002+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-073
RA: 18:10:11.34
Dec: -26:31:22.54
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Autoguider X=310 Y=113
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse, Michelle Knowler

First night clear until dawn. No idea of what target is yet.

Second night again perfect weather, still having the shutter jamming every so often and losing the autoguider. This is why the Autoguider co-ordanates are in the info above.

MOA 2010-BLG-081

2010-05-02T22:13:00.001+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-081
RA: 17:46:57.45
Dec: -34:57:39.73
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse, Michelle Knowler

MOA 2010-BLG-158

2010-04-21T16:07:00.001+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-158
RA: 17:56:43.83
Dec: -31:58:17.12
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse, Michelle Knowler

No observations taken event called off by uFun

MOA 2010-BLG-146

2010-04-16T22:31:00.002+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-146
RA: 17:55:25.79
Dec: -28:58:06.20
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse, Michelle Knowler

Turned out to be binary

New QHA antenna

2010-04-11T21:54:00.000+12:00

Put up a new QHA antenna today to try diversity reception on the Satellite reciever. Getting a lot of interferance not sure why yet. Seems like a cable issue.

Bunkroom PC

2010-04-11T21:51:00.001+12:00

Guy replaced the motherboard, CPU and memory on the bunkroom PC as it was very noisey.

MOA 2010-BLG-077

2010-04-10T23:23:00.007+12:00

MOA 2010-BLG-077

RA: 18:03:26.88
Dec: -30:40:06.12
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse, Michelle Knowler

First night clear skies, good seeing and transparency. Had a few issues with autoguider lossing lock during the night.

Second night again clear all night. Seeing not as good as last. Autoguider again playing up as we went over the meridian, perhaps a balance issue, time will tell.

Time has told, it's a Binary :-(

MOA 2010-BLG-069

2010-04-01T21:11:00.003+13:00

MOA 2010-BLG-069
RA: 17:52:31.74
Dec: -30:39:49.75
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: David Moorhouse, Michelle

Good night, didn't get started until about 1am as there was to much passing cloud but then got a good run until about 4.30am. Target is bright and well seperated from other stars.

Second night got an early start at about midnight but high air mass of 4! Pics were average, again got stopped after a few hours by cloud. This late night stuff is harsh.

NOAA Satellite receiver

2010-03-27T22:17:00.002+13:00

Today is day one of the new receiver. Putting up the antenna was the last part of the puzzle. The receiver came from www.geo-web.org.uk and cost NZ$400 the antenna is second hand but almost new from Gary Moles in Palmerston North at $140. The images are currently going to www.binoscope.co.nz/wxtoimg/noaa.html but may be hosted on the Auckland Astronomical Society site one day. Below is the very first image it produced. The satellite pass is very low only getting 28 deg above the horizon which is why it is so noisy.

Raising the floor

2010-03-27T22:11:00.000+13:00

For many years users of the Kumeu Observatory have cursed the 150mm (6") drop in the floor between the entrance and the middle storage area. Alistair had a huge job moving his 18" dob in and out. Others couldn't store instruments where they wanted and teh door area became cluttered. I just spent two days mid week putting in a false floor so it's all level. The change is huge making the whole space feel bigger and more connected. Moving of the telescopes is now easy. One day we will get vinyl laid to complete the job.

MOA 2010-BLG-020

2010-03-23T23:26:00.001+13:00

MOA 2010-BLG-020
RA: 17:52:49.88
Dec: -30:36:06.42
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: David Moorhouse

No images taken, cloud all evening

MOA 2010-BLG-050

2010-03-11T22:35:00.001+13:00

MOA 2010-BLG-050
RA: 18:01:26.30
Dec: -28:38:33.83
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: Wratten #12
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: David Moorhouse

Seven images taken all night due to cloud.

Storage area insulation

2010-02-28T00:00:00.003+13:00

Today makes the finish of the insulation project. We finally did the roof area of the entrance and storage area. It now has pink batts insulation R2.6 rating so we should be warm at night during this years Microlensing season. Gone are the days of sleeping inside at 2 deg centigrade above the outdoor temperature! I can't believe the difference compared to what the place looked like when we started going there. Once again Peter our neighbour came to the rescue with a trailer to get the materials to site and a electric screw gun. He also suggested using a gib lifter which lifts sheets of gib board to allow installation on the ceiling, the kitchen area we did by hand, it took three of us and was a real mission, this became a simple one man job, thanks Peter.

Network and weather station problems fixed.

2010-02-19T17:29:00.003+13:00

Fixed the network connection to from the Dome to Steves house, 200 meters away. The post on which a repeater was on had been removed! A few screws and cable ties and its fixed. Also the remote sensor for the external wind vane and rain gauge stopped talking wirelessly to the inside unit. Ran a wire between the two, seems to be working fine now. Manual says this will reduce battery life so have to watch that.

New bunks!

2010-02-07T00:04:00.001+13:00

The new bunks. We now have a set of King Single bunks to replace the old wire frame singles we had before. They are wooden and very sturdy from 'The Bunk House' in Manakau cost about $800 mostly donated by Guy Thornley. Bad nights sleeps are going to be a thing of the past.

Kitchen Insulation and cleanup

2010-02-01T18:58:00.001+13:00

Just spent three days working to insulate the remaining walls and the ceiling of the downstairs kitchen and sleeping area. We had to remove the large shelf unit above the window. This was cut in half while on the wall to be able get it down safely. Found out how the rats were getting into the wall by the window, there was a huge hole near the flashing at the top of the window. Put up six sheets of gib with insulation on these walls. The ceiling took five sheets of gib and one bag of insulation. Took one trailer load of rubbish to the dump. Cleaned the floor in the wasp and gave the place a good once over. Shelves are back up, one in kitchen and the other half near the doorway to the dome.

Wratten #12 yellow filter

2010-01-24T17:30:00.000+13:00

Just recieved an ASTRONZ #12 Wratten to try this season on the C14. We are going to also use the Ted Argos focal reducer this season. We are hoping to get improved FWHM with the optics working at their designed spacing and also the reduced scpectrum will help as well. Testing as soon as we get a fine evening.

MOA 2009-BLG-137

2009-08-06T20:11:00.001+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-137
RA: 17:51:37.95
Dec: -29:32:43.23
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: David Moorhouse

MOA 2009-BLG-387

2009-08-03T18:38:00.002+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-387
RA: 17:53:50.79
Dec: -33:59:25.20
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: David Moorhouse, Guy Thornley
3rd Aug Target very faint, resonable run for about one hour till cloud came
4th Aug much brighter however much passing cloud and worse seeing
5th Aug Guy got the evening started about 0900UT and went until about 1530UT clear skies and good seeing, moon although full was further away from target.

MOA 2009-BLG-406

2009-07-26T22:10:00.003+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-406
RA: 17:59:17.61
Dec: -28:26:35.52
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: David Moorhouse
Got a few images starting at 1100UT then nothing till 1330 when I got a break until about 1530 when the cloud came back again. Seeing good early falling off later. Transparency was fantastic however. Looks like it may be a binary now though.

MOA 2009-BLG-365

2009-07-13T10:34:00.002+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-365
RA: 17:58:47.32
Dec: -30:42:54.42
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, Steve Calveley, David Moorhouse

MOA 2009-BLG-259

2009-07-03T14:11:00.001+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-259
RA: 17:57:57.51
Dec: -29:11:39.39
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observers: Guy Thornley, Steve Calveley, David Moorhouse

New Observing Report

2009-06-25T12:58:00.002+12:00

A new observing report from Paul Kemp for observing conducted Saturday 20th June is now available at;

http://southernsentinel.co.nz/Observing/Observations/OB-09-06-20.htm

MOA 2009-BLG-319

2009-06-24T17:49:00.004+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-319
RA: 18:06:58.13
Dec: -26:49:10.89
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec

Observers: Guy Thornley, David Moorhouse
Tried and failed to get even a single exposure, the clear patch was seen ten km or so to the east so Jennie was getting clear skies.

OGLE 2008-BLG-270

2009-06-18T14:26:00.006+12:00

OGLE 2008-BLG-270
RA: 18:05:20.03
Dec: -30:33:46.1
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observer: Guy Thornley, Steve Calveley, David Moorhouse
This is a followup of a 2008 event that they think may well have the earth pass through the lens a second time. We are going to be doing periodic measurements over the next few months of about 20 minutes each time when practical.

Guttering fix-up.

2009-06-18T13:47:00.002+12:00

There was a small section of roof about 1.5 meters wide that just ran off the roof and onto the ground running under the building. This now has it's own guttering so it should be drier underneath. There is still an issue with the long gutter run, outside the kitchen, that has a leaky joint in the middle.

Second New Window and carpet!

2009-06-18T13:30:00.005+12:00

The downstairs area has just had a makeover. I have put in a second window to allow light and afternoon sun in to keep the place warmer and drier. We also put insulation in two of the walls so should be warmer all night. Many thanks again to Peter our neighbour and Guy Thornley for help wrecking the old wall to get the framing done and the carpet down. The carpet was provided by Paul Kemp several years ago but we have just been slack, until now. The whole area now feels totally different and cleaner. Now we just have to find some planets!

MOA 2009-BLG-273

2009-06-04T18:33:00.002+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-273
RA: 18:14:04.84
Dec: -27:16:51.84
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observer: Steve Calveley, David Moorhouse
04 Jun 09
Steve got us going at about 0900UT with David looking in remotely. Reasonable seeing, no cloud untill 1800UT when the autoguider lost the plot. To late/ tired before dawn to get any more data. Cloud rolling in mid morning, rain in afternoon.

MOA 2009-BLG-268

2009-06-03T18:04:00.002+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-268
RA: 18:04:26.81
Dec: -28:48:39.31
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observer: David Moorhouse
02 June 09 1520hrs UT
Got a run until dawn, clear skies good seeing

MOA 2009-BLG-274

2009-06-02T12:12:00.002+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-274
RA: 17:53:23.04
Dec: -33:07:16.83
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observer: Steve Calveley, David Moorhouse
02 June 09UT
With Steves help we got imaging at about 0930UT things didn't go to plan as we had used all this months internet usage of 3Gb it slowed to dialup speed. This meant I couldn't operate the PC remotely. We got there in the end. Ran until 1500UT then changed targets as this one was to faint and merged with another star.

Wasp roof

2009-05-29T17:51:00.000+12:00

Finally finished the eastern eves and replaced the ridge cap with the final version. All weather tight and secure for the winter now.

La Crosse weather station

2009-05-29T17:48:00.006+12:00

Kumeu Weather Station

Put in a La Crosse weather station from Dick Smiths. Using weather display software which is locally written. I have also made a WAP page for the mobile which is http://www.astronz.co.nz/weather/wap/index.htm just enter this on your mobile web in your phone and get ten minute updates. I have integrated the Boltwood cloud sensor data to make an icon showing current conditions as well.

New window

2009-05-29T17:44:00.002+12:00

Spent a few days putting in a new window in the observatory wall facing NW next to the dome. Got the window free from a friend of Grant Hay a work mate. Peter next door basically did the install for me which was a great help. Inside is now much warmer with the afternoon sun streaming in.

MOA BLG-2009-262

2009-05-27T22:55:00.005+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-262
RA: 17:55:41.69
Dec: -29:51:22.94
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observer: David Moorhouse

27 May 1250 UT
Started late after hearing about this new target. Faint but visible. Seeing is good and no cloud for now. Ended up being fine till dawn.
28 May UT
Fine just for a few hours early evening then fog and scattered cloud rolled in.

Wasp Floor

2009-05-23T10:38:00.002+12:00

After several years of concrete flooring I have finally got around to putting down a wooden floor. It cost about $600 of a pre-engineered material that has tounge and groove on boards about 1000mm x 200mm the top layer is about a 5mm veneer and is pre-vanished so it goes down and is finished. I needed to do about two days concrete grinding to get the floor flat enough.

MOA 2009-BLG-229

2009-05-21T17:32:00.004+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-229
RA: 18:05:19.86
Dec: -30:05:50.09
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observer: Steve Calveley, David Moorhouse, Guy Thornley

21 May 09
Off to a slow start with passing cloud making imaging almost impossible cleared at about 3am till dawn
22 May 09
Just getting one hours worth of normalising data

C14 Dew Sheild

2009-05-21T01:14:00.003+12:00

Finally got the dew sheild installed today. It looks fantastic, bright yellow! It is made from three 4mm thick MDF rings 398mm ID and 450mm OD then skinned in a 2mm balsawood sheet outside. The sheet was made with ten 100x600mm sheets glued side by side to form a massive sheet. The outside coating is Solarfilm made for model aircraft, it is easy to apply and a nice shiney finish. Inside is matt black paint. Yet to get clear skies to test it out but it looks real black looking down the barrel.

MOA 2009-BLG-227

2009-05-19T14:54:00.004+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-227
RA: 18:07:34.92
Dec: -27:00:44.06
Kumeu didn't end up getting data on this event

MOA 2009-BLG-174

2009-05-13T18:49:00.004+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-174
RA: 18:02:07.60
Dec: -31:25:24.20
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 120 sec
Observer: David Moorhouse

12 May 2009
Lots of passing cloud and rain, needed to use 120 sec because of close moon and close to peak at mag 11. Got several good runs through the night.
13 May 2009
Just five normalising images taken as MB204 was doing an exit crossing so was more important
14 May 2009
Finally some clear skies without rain. Did about one hour normalising data at two minutes to keep it standard.

Optec TCS focuser installed

2009-05-08T13:17:00.002+12:00

Installed last night with no issues. ASCOM driver downloaded and MaximDL is happy. Autofocus routine in MaximDL seems OK time will tell. Temperature compensation will be a big help once we get a co-efficient worked out. Many thanks to Ohio State University Astronomy Dept, who have provided this unit to us for help with microlensing events.

MOA 2009-BLG-204

2009-05-05T22:33:00.005+12:00

MOA 2009-BLG-204
RA: 18:02:23.62
Dec: -28:45:18.48
Optics: Celestron C14
Focal length: 2634mm
Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel
Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe
CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observer: Guy Thornley

May 04 2009
Lots of passing cloud and rain.
May 13 2009
Again a poor night but managed to catch a caustic crossing exit that will help nail this one down, only 16 five minute images through the night.

Painting

2009-04-18T20:55:00.002+12:00

Finally after years of talking about it I painted the dome last weekend over a few days. It had two coats of white Wattle Solarguard. There were a few places that I did repairs on the fibreglass first with west system epoxy resin and glass cloth. The top of the hatch is rotting and needs repair still. Also a coat of Forestwood stain was put on two sides of the Wasp Observatory

MOA 2009-BLG-106

2009-04-04T14:26:00.008+13:00

MOA 2009-BLG-106
RA: 18:09:56.49

Dec: -27:14:59.36

Optics: Celestron C14

Focal length: 2634mm

Pixel Scale; 0.70"/pixel

Camera: SBIG ST7 XME Deluxe

CCD: KAF-0402ME class 1

Filters: No filter

Exposure: 300 sec

Observer: Guy Thornley

Day 1: 04-04-2009 1200 to 1515hrs UTC

Occasional cloud no issues

Day 2:

OGLE 2009-BLG-076 MOA 2009-BLG-094

2009-03-26T20:20:00.003+13:00

Day 1: Off to a slow start with guiding issues, target very faint
Day 2:
RA: 17:58:31.93
Dec: -29:12:17.91
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observer: David Moorhouse

OGLE 2009-BLG-020 MOA 2009-BLG-011

2009-03-25T16:11:00.007+13:00

Day 1: UTC 25-03-09 1300 to 1400 hrs
Started run only to have cloud roll in soon afterwards
Day 2:

RA: 18:04:20.96
Dec: -29:31:08.96
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observer: Guy Thornley
David Moorhouse

Moa 2009-BLG-048

2009-03-24T03:51:00.012+13:00

Day 1: UTC 23-03-09 1430 to 1745 hrs
This is the first target for the year. Easy and bright, perfect evening clear, good seeing.

Day 2: UTC 24-03-09 1300 to 1730 hrs
Another good run till dawn. Perfect skies one break due to a computer issue so autoguiding on different star at about image 10?

Day 3: UTC 25-03-09 1200 to 1300
Just a few images to be able to calibrate our results

RA: 17:52:06.71
Dec: -32:35:24.91
Filters: No filter
Exposure: 300 sec
Observer: David Moorhouse

File naming and directories

2009-02-20T13:54:00.002+13:00

So we can easily find files and know instantly what they are, when they were taken, what temperature, which darks and flats to use for calibration etc. we are going to use the following file naming conventions. This fits easily into MaximDL's auto sequence system. The names also allow easy sorting of images when put into a common processing directory. Also the calibration masters needed for each dataset will be placed in the dir with the raw images.

Ted Argos Focal Reducer

2009-01-31T11:18:00.003+13:00

I have just recieved the focal reducer tube from Ted it has my Celestron x0.63 optics installed in it. Will be installing it on the back of the Wasp's 10" Meade OTA hopefully tonight.
http://www.ziplink.net/users/lester/FLR.html

Update 5 Feb 2009 I have installed the focal reducer and it was no problem to get back to 1600mm (the correct ratio) from 1900mm without the tube (optics in the old housing) stars look tight and field curvature isn't much of an issue. Makes for a much nicer installation with less mass away from the center of rotation.

Cloud sensor page now working

2009-01-09T21:47:00.002+13:00

In the middle of last season the cloud sensor page showing all three Auckland Boltwood Cloud Sensors stopped working as the AAS updated their webservers. It is now working again and has had two links added from the Metservice that show both rain and cloud animations. The page is at
http://www.binoscope.co.nz/weather.html

Proceedure changes for a fast startup

2009-01-09T20:52:00.003+13:00

We have been working on a number of different ways to speed up the observatory startup. To date they are.

1. Re-arranging the power supply so the ArgoNavis can remain powered.
2. Developing a HFD V curve to aid in faster manual focusing.
3. Making a library of darks, rather than doing so each evening.
4. Using logmein remote desktop to allow startup with Steve onsite.
5. Getting Skype running via Dect phone.
6. Learning the new issues caused by new version of MaximDL

ArgoNavis DSC coordinate errors

2009-01-09T20:43:00.003+13:00

We are currently having issues with the ArgoNavis DSC (digital setting circles) in that when used in LX200 protocol emulation we get positional errors being returned to the PC.

What we have found is that the ArgoNavis under LX200 returns J(now) instead of J(2000) coordinates. This is a one direction only error. Entering J(2000) in the scratch objects on the unit works fine. Doing a from planetarium command and issuing a slew to object from a planetarium works correctly. However the returned value is in the wrong format for either TheSky6 or MaximDL so as to be able to do a plate solve.

Skype phone

2009-01-09T17:18:00.003+13:00

We now have a new phone which is a Linksys CIT200 it has a local number which is (09) 889 9227 so you can call us at the dome!

Start of a new BLOG

2009-01-09T17:01:00.000+13:00

First entry for the Kumeu Observatorys daily log, we will have info about the images taken and issues when we are onsite