Well, after being sick for a week and Las Vegas being under clouds for a few days, I was finally able to get out and do some photometry. I was able to warm up the SSP-4 and do a run on Eps Aur and Del Ori. Their magnitudes were J: 1.76 H: 1.62 and J: 2.77 H: 2.84 respectively. I was going to hit IS Gem with the SSP-3 but some clouds rolled in so that was it for the night.

Tonight doesn't look too good for observing but we'll see. I'd like to get a few more stars with the SSP-3. I have only done a few since the observatory has become operational. I'd like to get a total of ten before the end of the month.

I was able to get in a quick observation of Beta Per (Algol) before thin clouds started to roll in. My data showed a magnitudes of 2.09 in J band and 1.91 in H band. Estimated error was .07 and .06 respectively.

It looks like it will be cloudy for the next several days. I may not be able to get any more observations for a week or more. :-( Oh well, I'll take the down time to tidy up the observatory and make some minor upgrades.

We have had a string of clear nights here in Las Vegas. Last night, I was able to do an IR observation on W Ori (J: 1.21 H: .20). In addition to that, I was finally able to complete the calibration run with the SSP-3. So, now I can begin to use both photomters each night.

And tonight I did just that. I started out with IR observations of Mira and Algol. Then I switched to the SSP-3 for an observation of CE Tau. Then, back to the SSP-4 for an observation of Eta Gem. Finally, I followed that up with a SSP-3 observation of Eta Gem. I have not reduced tonight's IR observations since it is currently 11:30 pm. I will reduce them in the morning and submit them to the AAVSO tomorrow.

This is still a ton of fun and I don't mind the reduced sleep. It is gratifying to know that even with my modest equipment, I can make a contribution to astronomical research.

Tonight's weather was clear. The temperature was 40 degrees when I closed up. Downright balmy for those of you up North or back East. :-)

Today I was able to submit my first observations with the SSP-4. I submitted an observation for Rho Per (J: -.85 H: -1.72) and Mira (J: -.96 H: -1.56 ). Tonight I plan to make another IR run on Mira then do my calibration run with the SSP-3. If I have time after that, I'd like to do an IR run on Algol if it is still high enough. Last night's numbers on Algol had too much error in the numbers. Hopefully tonight will be better.

It looks to be clear for the next few nights so I hope to be productive with both photometers. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that it stays clear.

Finally, on Wednesday night (1/4/2006) I was able to get my first observations (Rho Per) with the SSP-4 infrared photometer. It was a bunch of fun and I learned that the photometer needed a bit of adjustment in its offset.

Tonight, I was able to make another run on Rho Per with the SSP-4. The offset adjustment definitely made a difference. I hope to reduce the data tomorrow and see if it was a productive run.

I was also hoping to do a calibration run with my SSP-3 on an Orion red-blue pair of stars but cirrus drifted in before I could start. Grrrr. I need to get that calibration done so that I do some PEP V observations in between the IR observations.

One last thing...I am VERY happy with how everything in the observatory is working. The alignment is great and the trio of TheSky 6, TPoint, and Orchestrate works GREAT! The pointing accuracy is so good that I don't need to mount the finderscope and every object requires very little adjustment to put it in the center of the photometer. Needless to say, I'm quite happy with the performance of the observatory.

Now, if I can just get some clear nights.....

On Friday night (12/30/05) I was able to do a 68 star T-Point mapping run. It took nearly two hours but I think it was definitely worth it. After applying the models to the data, T-Point displays a pointing accuracy near 50 arc seconds. I am VERY pleased with that number, especially with a mass produced Celestron NexStar 11 GPS mount.

Now if we can get some clear skies here in Las Vegas I will be able to begin my IR PEP as well as traditional PEP observations.