Bunkroom PC

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

MOA 2010-BLG-077

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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!

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

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

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.