Observing Log for Mike Durkin
2/25/2023 about 10:30PMM
Locust Valley, NY
Transparency: 9/10, Seeing 3/5
Temperature: 30-40
Equipment: Hutech modified T3i
DSLR photometry of AB Aur, γ Cas, κ Cas, and ρ Cas.
Note that AB Aur is part of an AAVSO campaign, although I'm doubtful that
they will use my DSLR measurements.
2/25/2023 about 10:30PM
Locust Valley, NY
Transparency: 9/10, Seeing ?/5
Temperature: ??
Equipment: naked eye
Just a quick naked eye measurement of α Ori.
2/24/2023 10:30PM-12:00AM
Locust Valley, NY
Transparency: 9/10, Seeing 4/5
Temperature: 25-30
Equipment: 10x50 binoculars
Visually measures the variable stars W CMa, BC CMi, ψ1 Aur, UU Aur, η Gem,
and BU Gem.
Also some quick looks at:
- Melotte 20, the cluster around α Per
- M35, which I just barely detected
- M44, the Beehive cluster
2/18/2023 6:00PM-11:00PM
Locust Valley, NY
Transparency: 6-8/10, Seeing 3-4/5
Temperature: 30-40
Equipment: Celestron Ultima 8 with PEC
Weather conditions were supposed to be less than ideal, but still might be
reasonable until about 9-11PM. In the end conditions got worse around 10 PM.
It took me about 20-30 minutes to get polar aligned using the ASIAir. I spent a
lot of time trying to adjust in azimuth. Today I found something to loosen the
bolts on the mount which may help make smaller adjustments.
I also spent a lot of time trying to get the guide camera and DSLR in focus at
the same time. I think I need an extender on the guide camera to move it slightly
further away from the off axis guider.
I started my trying to image the Cone nebula. Once I started taking the light
frames I noticed that the center of the light cone was in the upper right of
the frame. I wonder if there is some sagging in the off axis guider or something
similar.
Then I imaged the Eskimo Nebula. My focus shifted and the stars were not always
round. Maybe there was some vibrations, or because the scope was pointing more
western horizon than usual.
NOTE: I'm not too happy with the Cone Nebula. I'm still trying to get the
hang of PixInsight and it looks like I didn't really have enough total exposure
time for this target. Trying to stretch too much just kept bringing out a lot
of noise and some unattractive gradients that I could not process out. I also
read is some message boards that to do a proper flat frame I should take some
dark-flat images. I"ll have to try that next time.
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Cone Nebula Location: Long Island, NY Camera: Hutech modified Canon T3i Telescope: Celestron Ultima 8 with PEC. Image details: 10x120s (20 minutes), with flat and dark frames. 10x120s (20 minutes), with flat and dark frames. Acquired using an ASIAir to control tracking and exposures. Processed with Pixinsight and GIMP. |
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Eskimo or Clown Face Nebula Location: Long Island, NY Camera: Hutech modified Canon T3i Telescope: Celestron Ultima 8 with PEC. Image details: 12x30s (6 minutes), no dark or flat frames. Acquired using an ASIAir to control tracking and exposures. Processed with Pixinsight and GIMP. |
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