Michael A. Phillips' Astro Blog

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Saturday, June 11, 2011

I've been out a bit trying to improve my collimation skills and hoping to ride the seeing forecast. I've got collimation somewhat under control, but still holding out for seeing. Perhaps I can get a little help from my cooling project. Detail on that later, 1st the best of the past 3 times out.

Click to enlarge.

Enjoy the rest of the season here:

http://maphilli14.multiply.com/photos/album/179

Mike

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

1st presentable Saturn photo in many moons...still tweakin my setup

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Saturn 2011 05 09 in avg seeing

Chomping at the bit for good seeing I braved a couple nights of average seeing with no clouds or rain to grab this decent shot.

I installed some fans on the cell and practices my collimation techniques in weeks prior and still have some work to do, as the tiny star test in the lower left corner can attest to.

Here's a video from the next night, to be posted later in better collimation but worse seeing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQb5AdQoW38

Click to enlarge

I did forget about the meridian flip, i'm N/S reversed! SORRY

Friday, April 29, 2011

Star Parties

20110424
Mike and Mitch Duke at Mike's house
C14 and Akule

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Mars 2009 - 2010 FINISHED!

I had taken it upon myself to go out as often as possible for this apparition. As long as it was clear, I was out imaging. Most nights were mostly poor as is frequent in the winter around here. This was the 1st time using a 5x PowerMate in my C8i. I long planned to get a large aperture, fast f-ratio Newtonian, and now do. Having this plan in my mind it seemed fitting to use it this season on a bright, but small planet in Mars. Here's some highlights that haven't seen the light of day in the past year...

As always, click for larger size and here's the whole Mars 2009-2010 season (http://maphilli14.multiply.com/photos/album/102/Astronomy_-_Solar_System_-_Mars_2009_-_2010)

My attempt at getting Phobos and Deimos using an obscuring bar made from aluminum foil. I only got Deimos...next apparition, both with animation and a 14"!