tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71737966498458634922011-11-27T18:27:43.751-05:00Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.comBlogger191100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-19953231688617234292009-01-14T20:24:00.004-05:002009-01-14T20:35:15.663-05:00

I see it has been some time since I have updated this. Sorry.And I know people have been visiting, since I get a report once a week showing how many have stopped by.Well, being in New England, it's been just a bit chilly to get out there and do any gazing with the scope. I do, however, peer up there every night when I go out to get some more wood and just watch.Venus over there......Orion coming

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-31735199800368529822008-09-22T20:26:00.004-04:002008-09-22T20:34:36.386-04:00

So this evening I have been playing around with the Software I downloaded the other day.I must say, very impressive for FREE software.I decided to re-process my images from Saturn earlier this year.This one is a stack of 20 images out of 95.This really brings out the detail. You can see the Cassini Ring better, and really notice the shadow on the back side along with the large band on the planet

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-70967426300660499682008-09-21T13:43:00.004-04:002008-09-21T14:00:23.860-04:00

Ok, after spending a bit of time this morning using Registax (see link to right), I have managed to improve on the image my last night out observing.It's not bad in my opinion. In fact, if you really enlarge the image, and brighten it up, you can see some of Jupiter's Moons to the right and left.So, here it is:I'm going to try and improve on the image from Satrun earlier this year and see what I

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-2121367163650200692008-09-19T21:38:00.007-04:002008-09-19T22:01:35.433-04:00

As I type, my fingers are still numb. :) But I did have a pretty good night. No viewing, just imaging.My first attempt this evening was Jupiter, yet again. But I did manage get some better images.Now these are pre-processing. I'll update with some post-processed images later.This one was the 1st attempt this evening: This was attempt #2: I call it Jupiter-2. Not to be confused with the Space

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-10341167181926040882008-09-10T21:59:00.004-04:002008-09-10T22:16:05.430-04:00

So this evening I thought I would try and image Jupiter. That's my goal. I really would like to share what I see and what a fantastic hobby Astronomy can be.But, as they say, the stars where not in my favor. Just couldn't get a good focus. Was able to better adjust the color, but with the heat rising off the surface of our wonderful planet, there was no way I could get a good focus.So, rather

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-85769325008006357892008-08-26T22:33:00.006-04:002008-08-27T15:14:26.986-04:00

After last nights disappointment (battery was dead in my focuser) tonight turned out GREAT!!!Last night's only excitement was an Iridium flare which I happen to see while waiting for Polaris to appear.I was able to image Jupiter (stay tuned for the final image), but I'm not too pleased. I find it difficult to focus, let alone find it in the camera image. Then, the contrast never seems to good.

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-3533909209237047502008-08-01T21:50:00.003-04:002008-08-03T08:42:39.953-04:00

Wow, what I night!My father-in-law stopped by, so I mentioned the possibility of looking at Jupiter and he was all for it. My plan really was to try and image it, but like many say, looking is just as good.So we had a really nice view of Jupiter and 4 moons. Truly fantastic. Jen (my wife was there - and surprisingly she looked too), and Lauren, my oldest daughter too.Once we viewed Jupiter it was

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-37137776583317346512008-07-27T17:22:00.002-04:002008-07-27T17:28:24.212-04:00

Well, I finally got around to posting some of my images.These are the best. Didn't want to force you all to look at some boring, out of focus pictures.I hope to get some more up soon. ust as soon as I take some. It's either too cloudy, or the mosquitos too fierce (they've been about the size of Volkswagen Beetles lately).You can view them here: Gallery

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-6009588351979190942008-07-21T20:16:00.002-04:002008-07-21T20:20:02.713-04:00

Ok, I know I'm a few days behind.............So last Friday I made my attempt to image Jupiter. Not really me day I guess.I get the scope all aligned and go to slew to Jupiter. Just about there, then.........no power!!! The power cord slipped out of the extension cord. :(So, time to re-align.Aligned.Slewing.Got Juptiter.Install camera.Go to get Jupiter in the view.Jupiter moves behind some trees.

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-19629068293410581342008-07-15T22:28:00.002-04:002008-07-15T22:38:38.734-04:00

Clear skies tonight!!! Yippee!!Got the scope out and tried tricking the scope into thinking it was in a different time zone (set back 1 hour), only to find later that I shoud set DST to "Yes".Had some great views of Saturn. Even went down as low as 9mm.Tried doing a sky tour, but the scope was thrown off when my JMI focuser hit the base, Grrrrrrrr.But reset and all seems to be ok. And re-did the

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-31614171728976381532008-07-10T21:43:00.001-04:002008-07-10T21:47:20.829-04:00

Don't get me wrong, I'm not lazy.But it's 9:45 and I just don't want to drag everything out.I just hope tomorrow is just as nice.So I go out to close the windows and my Jeep and look for Jupiter.It has got to be the brightest thing in the sky right now!!!!So I go and get my binoculars (as mentioned in a previous post) and take a look.Now I don't see any detail, but I do see at least 1 moon and

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-12499699687229889562008-07-01T19:27:00.005-04:002008-07-01T19:40:33.052-04:00

Given the sort of weather we are having, I really haven't had the opportunity to take the scope out since my last posting.We keep having these late afternoon, early evening storms. In fact, we're having one now. :(By the time things clear up, I just can't find myself getting all my gear out for just a few minutes of viewing.So, what does one do when they want to view the sky, but don't want to

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-72937342311469470342008-06-25T20:07:00.002-04:002008-06-25T20:23:33.093-04:00

So I've been trying to put this new scope (so to speak) through it's paces, but the weather doesn't seem to cooperate. It's cloudy in the earlier evening (9-ish), and it's not until 10 or 10:30 that the clouds seem to depart. By that time, I don't feel like bringing the scope outside.So this is what I have been doing:1)I do have it on it's tripod.2)I have brought it outside, but only to the

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-20245143840499026612008-06-24T15:21:00.002-04:002008-06-24T15:27:23.162-04:00

Well, nothing new to report. Still no scope. They haven't shipped it back yet. I'll have to remember to give them a call sometime today and see what's up. When I called on Monday, I was told no later than Thursday, and I should receive an email stating it has shipped and a tracking number. :(On another note, I thought I share a couple of other things with you.The other day I did finally receive

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-66328449927824119602008-06-24T15:21:00.001-04:002008-06-24T15:21:45.398-04:00

Wow, some great things today!!1) Today is my daughter's 16th Birthday. (Well, maybe that might be too great.....she's growing up too fast). My does time fly!2) Meade Customer Service called. They say my scope should be finished this week and shipping back. Yippee!!3) Susie from Meade (Community Relations Rep), emailed saying they are shipping me a hat! I know, sounds kinda lame, but I just like

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-24123772801016200972008-06-24T15:20:00.000-04:002008-06-24T15:21:19.617-04:00

Ok, so if you have been reading this, you know my scope is in for repairs.I called last night, and Meade says another week. (I'm good with that). I do miss it. There have been some great nights this past week, that I would have loved to have used it.In the meantime, what have I been doing?Mostly yard work. :( But when the sun goes down, I still manage to stare up at the sky.I recently started

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-56076098463656221442008-06-24T15:14:00.002-04:002008-06-24T15:19:48.972-04:00

May 16, 2008 -My long awaited package came yesterday. You people from Meade4M will appreciate it. :) This is what arrived:- Meade 4M Community Patch, Pin and Decal- Bag (of the cooler variety) I estimate it holds 8-10 Miller Lites. :)I'll probably just use it to store all my Scope Cables (Controller, DSI, Power, etc).Now don't get me wrong and think I'm being picky, but I was a bit disappointed

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-1526456608898223812008-06-24T15:14:00.001-04:002008-06-24T15:14:34.861-04:00

Well, some of you who may know me from the Meade4M Forum, I go under the name swholden, probably have read my numerous posts about issues I have been having with my telescope.As it turns out, according to Meade, there is high probability there is an issue with the motors.For the last few weeks I have not been able to acquire a proper alignment, and even if I did get some sort of alignment, the

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173796649845863492.post-85197381139294132962008-06-24T15:11:00.000-04:002008-06-24T15:12:10.769-04:00

May 2008 -So...where do I begin?I could go back to the 5th grade, or my Senior Year in high school, but what really got me "addicted" would be the past October.Here I am, standing out on my deck one evening (pretty much a nightly occurrence) just looking at the sky. I find myself looking at this one particular star (so I thought).So I decided to drag this old Tasco Telescope out to take a look. I

Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06440122255415962054noreply@blogger.com0