http://studioindigo.com/observatory/ The happenings of the Hermitage Observatory en-us Nucleus CMS v3.22 © Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://studioindigo.com/observatory//nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://studioindigo.com/observatory/ http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=14
I was able get serveral observations in before I closed it up. I was finally able to submit a file of 10 PEP observations to the AAVSO using the SSP 3. Since February I was able to get IR observations of Beta Gem, SW Vir, and two runs on R Leo. The folks at the AAVSO has been kind enough to allow me to keep the SSP 4 photometer over the summer.

That is it for now. I hope to get everything set up again in early October.

Troy]]> General http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=14 Sun, 4 Jun 2006 13:02:39 -0700 http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=13
The next few days look promising. Hopefully I can get out and add some more observations to the database.

Troy]]> Photometry http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=13 Sat, 11 Feb 2006 09:11:49 -0800 http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=12
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.]]> Photometry http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=12 Sun, 22 Jan 2006 14:09:59 -0800 http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=11
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.]]> Photometry http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=11 Fri, 13 Jan 2006 22:02:49 -0800 http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=10
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. :-)]]> Photometry http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=10 Tue, 10 Jan 2006 23:33:54 -0800 http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=9
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.]]> Photometry http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=9 Mon, 9 Jan 2006 13:17:29 -0800 http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=8
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..... ]]> General http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=8 Fri, 6 Jan 2006 23:16:33 -0800 http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=7
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.]]> General http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=7 Tue, 3 Jan 2006 19:14:32 -0800 http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=6
I was also hoping to do a calibration of my SSP-3 but too many clouds rolled in. With the forecast of clouds/rain over the next 5-7 days it looks like the calibration and use of the SSP-4 will have to wait till 2006.

Last night was the first night I was able to spend a couple of hours in the observatory since the concrete was poured. It performed great and I can't wait to spend hours each evening counting photons for the AAVSO.]]> General http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=6 Wed, 28 Dec 2005 08:09:38 -0800 http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=5
It is supposed to be clear tomorrow night so I hope to do a drift alignment and then begin making use of the SSP-4 IR photometer. I would also like to do a calibration run on the SSP-3. But, perhaps I'm being over ambitious. :-) Regardless, I'll keep you up to date.

]]> General http://studioindigo.com/observatory/index.php?itemid=5 Thu, 22 Dec 2005 21:44:43 -0800