WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSE AS SEEN THROUGH MY EYES

Pinwheel Galaxy

Mon, 3 May 2010 01:18:32 -0700

In April, I spent most of my time collimating the scope and touching up a few things with the scope setup. I was able to redo my 2008 image of M101. I’m very pleased with it’s outcome.

RC Optical Systems 12.5” Ritchey-Chrétien

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:33:22 -0700

After much waiting, my final scope has been installed. This telescope just oozes quality. I was lucky to receive a mirror with a 1/35 wave RMS. The Astro-Sitall mirror held focus all night long. Only a few counts of focus change from 65F down to 32F. I used this on Friday night for my own private Messier Marathon, and it delivered in strides. I’m still kickin’ the tires and working out the last few issues, but should be able to get some images off it soon. Collimation was spot on straight from the factory. I was able to get ~2 hrs of M106 Lum to test.

Seeing Monitor Online!

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:24:05 -0700

With an excellent pole and head design by Dave Hellmann from PVCC and physical labor of digging the hole by my friend James (I pulled my back on Thursday), we were able to get the SBIG Seeing Monitor online. Check out the data on the Weather Page

Finally

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:51:21 -0700

Febuary’s new moon cycle was good this month. After many months of dodging clouds, six solid nights graced us during this month. I finished a deep M51 finally replacing my feeble first attempts a few years ago on this awesome galaxy.

Horrible Winter

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:41:42 -0700

This winter has been so bad! I only finished one galaxy and have had the observatory closed for more than a month. UGGGGGH!