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Re: Free poster for outreach?
RASC ottawa has a large portable display wall. They've used it at
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science fairs. You poster would be approprate for that wall. I don't recall who at the rasc maintains such, but Chris Teron probably knows. attilla danko, , danko@..., attilladanko@... On Sun, Jan 15, 2023 at 1:19 AM PolyWogg <thepolyblog@...> wrote:
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Free poster for outreach?
Hello Ottawa astronomers, I've been going through all the stuff to put on my walls and I came across a large poster that I really like but have no wall space to use. Good overview of the planets, some Messier objects, natural satellites?in the solar system, etc. I've attached a pic of it below. Could be good for outreach etc or just for an observatory wall even.? As I said, I have no space on my walls for it, and I hate to send it to the landfill in case someone might like it. Any takers? Happy to drop it off somewhere near Ottawa (within reasonable?limits, of course). Paul |
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Re: Observing the Geminids tonight in the east end is a GO!
Hi Gordon!
Good to hear! ?Hopefully you can make it. ?It’s suppose to be a bit windy so I’ll likely setup further down that road, along the row of trees - in a spot where there are no hydro wires overhead. In any case it’s a go for me! Clear skies, Pierre |
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Re: Dobs, 3D printing, and optics...
Paul, I’ve still got three 3D printers (gave one to my brother recently). I’ve used them to print a few things for astronomy, but more importantly I think for you is I also had the chance interview on astronomer who 3D printed a whole scope! The video is very interesting insights to the whole process and hopefully give you an idea of what you are looking to get into. Overall, expect to spend a lot of time tweaking the printer and the prints to get everything perfect, but once you make one, making another ten would be relatively straightforward. This website by TechingTechYT is by far the best tools for setting up and calibrating your printer once you’ve gotten past the first print. Highly recommended. Regards, Graeme On Tue, Dec 13, 2022 at 2:22 PM R WAGNER <rick.wagner@...> wrote:
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Graeme Hay Photographer / Cinematography / Astroimaging EmberSkyMedia.com |
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Re: Dobs, 3D printing, and optics...
开云体育This one got a ~1.3 page write up in the Jan 2023 Sky and Tel and was reviewed quite favourably. Rick On 12/13/22 14:08, Steve Attfield
wrote:
In my internet travels I did see this design that might be of interest if you haven't seen it yet. As a bonus, it appears to have a bit of a community which I find is very useful for big projects? |
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Re: Observing the Geminids tonight in the east end is a GO!
开云体育Interesting! I may show up. I will send a follow-up if I do. :)
—骋
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Pierre Martin <pmartin@...>
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2022 12:30:03 PM To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: [OAFs] Observing the Geminids tonight in the east end is a GO! ?
Hello all!
I plan to be out to observe the Geminids meteor shower tonight, at a dark sky site east of Ottawa. It has been a long while since we've done any group observing sessions, therefore I'm extending an invitation to join me if you are interested in having some company. The location is on the side of a quiet country road. ?It is called Johnston Rd, and located just east of the town of Bourget, about 45 minutes east of Ottawa. ?This is a decently dark area with no lights, and has some excellent horizons. ?It has become my typical "winter go to" site for the east end, due to its quietness (traffic at night is very rare), the road wideness, and for being reliability plowed. ?Here's a link to the exact location on Google maps. ?It's a fairly easy drive. ?Note that my exact position along that road might not be exact. ?If it is very windy, I may relocate further down the road to gain the protection from a row of trees. Tonight, the gibbous moon rises at 9:20pm, so meteor observing will be affected — with reduced numbers. ?However, the Geminids are well known for producing bright, colourful meteors especially near and shortly after the peak. ?It is arguably the year's best and most reliable meteor shower, and also my favourite so I feel that the effort to bundle up and head out in the cold is worth it. ?The exact peak time is tomorrow morning after sunrise, but the Geminids typically show near max rates for several hours. The weather is expected to be clear all night, with the exception of some possible clouds between 8-10pm. ?Nevertherless, I plan to get there around 9pm to setup and stay until the morning. ?Due the bright moon, I'll likely observe mostly facing the north (and keep the moon's glare behind me). ?Expect temperature of -5C (will feel like -11) at around 9pm, and a low of -8C (will feel like -13) at around 4am. If you are interested in coming to setup a scope, that's fine but we cannot block the road (traffic is unlikely but still possible). ?The best approach is setting up on the side of the road, along a single file. ?I will have reflective markers to warn any possible motorists. ?If you are interested in watching the Geminids, all you need is a lounge chair and a warm sleeping bag and lots of blankets. ?I also highly recommend air activated or battery "hand and feet warmers". ?Trust me, it's a lot easier to get cold when you're not moving much.? If the weather is good tomorrow night (and so far it looks promising), I may return early in the evening to observe any post-maximum activity (possibly brighter meteors). If interested, please let me know so that I get an idea who wants to join in. ? Cheers! - Pierre |
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Re: Dobs, 3D printing, and optics...
In my internet travels I did see this design that might be of interest if you haven't seen it yet. As a bonus, it appears to have a bit of a community which I find is very useful for big projects?
Disclaimer: I know very little about either telescopes or 3D printing |
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Observing the Geminids tonight in the east end is a GO!
Hello all!
I plan to be out to observe the Geminids meteor shower tonight, at a dark sky site east of Ottawa. It has been a long while since we've done any group observing sessions, therefore I'm extending an invitation to join me if you are interested in having some company. The location is on the side of a quiet country road. ?It is called Johnston Rd, and located just east of the town of Bourget, about 45 minutes east of Ottawa. ?This is a decently dark area with no lights, and has some excellent horizons. ?It has become my typical "winter go to" site for the east end, due to its quietness (traffic at night is very rare), the road wideness, and for being reliability plowed. ?Here's a link to the exact location on Google maps. ?It's a fairly easy drive. ?Note that my exact position along that road might not be exact. ?If it is very windy, I may relocate further down the road to gain the protection from a row of trees. Tonight, the gibbous moon rises at 9:20pm, so meteor observing will be affected — with reduced numbers. ?However, the Geminids are well known for producing bright, colourful meteors especially near and shortly after the peak. ?It is arguably the year's best and most reliable meteor shower, and also my favourite so I feel that the effort to bundle up and head out in the cold is worth it. ?The exact peak time is tomorrow morning after sunrise, but the Geminids typically show near max rates for several hours. The weather is expected to be clear all night, with the exception of some possible clouds between 8-10pm. ?Nevertherless, I plan to get there around 9pm to setup and stay until the morning. ?Due the bright moon, I'll likely observe mostly facing the north (and keep the moon's glare behind me). ?Expect temperature of -5C (will feel like -11) at around 9pm, and a low of -8C (will feel like -13) at around 4am. If you are interested in coming to setup a scope, that's fine but we cannot block the road (traffic is unlikely but still possible). ?The best approach is setting up on the side of the road, along a single file. ?I will have reflective markers to warn any possible motorists. ?If you are interested in watching the Geminids, all you need is a lounge chair and a warm sleeping bag and lots of blankets. ?I also highly recommend air activated or battery "hand and feet warmers". ?Trust me, it's a lot easier to get cold when you're not moving much.? If the weather is good tomorrow night (and so far it looks promising), I may return early in the evening to observe any post-maximum activity (possibly brighter meteors). If interested, please let me know so that I get an idea who wants to join in. ? Cheers! - Pierre |
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Re: Dobs, 3D printing, and optics...
I shall be interested to hear how your 3d printed scope turns out,
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since I would not think to do so. I've been 3d printing for 6 years. I've printed hundreds of things. Most of them were telescope bits. In my experience, 3d printing is the best way to get custom parts that don't need to small and strong at the same time -- provided you can't buy them. If you can buy them, its usually cheaper as faster than printing. Quality non-brittle (i.e. *not* PLA) filament isn't cheap. Parts that take 12 hours to print are not rare. Most of the work is designing (and re-re-re-designing). Huge effort is saved if you can use someone else's design files. But I'm skeptical that the 3d files you like would result in a scope that would hold collimation. But it would be fun to be proven wrong. If you do decide to print those parts for that scope, I suggest you feel free to iterate the design and customize it to be exactly what works best for you. Customization is the power of 3d printing. clear skies. -ad On Tue, Dec 13, 2022 at 2:36 AM PolyWogg <thepolyblog@...> wrote:
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Dobs, 3D printing, and optics...
Hello knowledgeable OAFs: Soooo, let's start with the fact that I am NOT Mr. Handyman. But I did recently get a 3D printer, and my goal for 2023 is to build my own scope of some sort.? I found a decent layout for a Newtonian reflector, can get it down to a simple 6" to try with a lot of 3D printing of the parts/trusses, etc, BUT obviously ordering the mirrors. I am not particularly interested in grinding my own mirrors, etc., so willing to order a package for that. Agena has a combo that is recommended (out of stock at the moment) for $220. Plus a Crayford focuser for $115. Then there are assorted other parts, screws, etc. By the time I'm done, I don't think it will be a lot cheaper than just buying one hehehe. However, I guess I was wondering if people had thoughts about building a small Dob that would push me one way or another. Here's the link to the 3D printer setup (free files are good). I guess I'll still have to build a wooden base for it.? I'm not wedded to it. I confess I would MUCH rather do something with a Mak design similar to the Sarblue commercial version. I'm almost tempted to buy one and rip it apart for dimensions. :) Paul |
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Re: HomeBrew accessories for Celestron mounts: need testers!!
Possibly not know to the general OAFs community, Mark helped
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rebuild/refurbish the 18" starmaster that Mike Wirths donated to the Ottawa RASC. It could not have been done without Mark's excelent workshop. On Mon, Nov 28, 2022 at 2:19 PM <oafs@...> wrote:
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HomeBrew accessories for Celestron mounts: need testers!!
Hi.? I am Mark Lord, and am quite active on the CloudyNights site.? I use a Celestron 8" Evo, and have used Covid isolation time to design/build several interesting (open source hardware and software) electronic accessories for Celestron mounts.
But alas.. everything I build always works perfectly on my own Evo mount, but not always on other types.? So I am hunting for more Celestron Go-To mounts to try stuff on, especially older ones but also the latest stuff.? This is very low risk to the mount -- the hardware is designed to be as electrically safe as possible. So if you have a Celestron, and want to partake in testing and perhaps even build or acquire a gizmo for yourself, please get in touch.? These gizmos include Celestron-compatible WiFi and Bluetooth adapters (much less expensive than the brand-name, and better performing too), GPS (aka. "SkySync") clones, joystick style slew/focus controllers, and a bunch of other nifty devices. More info on some of the various gizmos is on my server, at But there is lots happening beyond what is currently there!? I have started on a project to clone Celestron's fancy (expensive) Dew Heater Controller for $50 or less, which will be compatible with their software and hand-controller menus. Cheers |
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Re: Heart and Flaming Star Nebula
A stunning image. I particularly like fine dark-lane detail. The star
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colors look ok to me. The stars look like they're showing a small amount of image rotation. Perhaps your polar alignment wasnt perfect. Being a visual observer, I find the image far too oversaturated. However, as a piece of art: stunning. attilla danko, , danko@..., attilladanko@... On Sat, Nov 19, 2022 at 12:23 PM <gregz12@...> wrote:
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LEONID METEOR SHOWER ALERT
LEONID METEOR SHOWER ALERT:?Earth is approaching the debris zone of Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, source of the annual Leonid meteor shower. Forecasters expect a minor peak of 15 meteors per hour on Nov. 17th (~2300 UT), followed by a more intense peak on Nov. 19th (~0600 UT). How intense???range from 50 to 200 meteors per hour. The possible Nov. 19th outburst is associated with a dense stream of debris ejected from the comet in 1733. Its timing favors observers in the eastern half of North America, who should be alert for meteor activity this Saturday morning between 1:00 and 1:30 am EST. |
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Re: Light pollution Masson area
It is a massive $100M Canabis production plant/greenhouse.? Lights (orange glow)? upwards. Yesterday it was visible from very far North (at least 50 km) and higher local intensity than the city of Ottawa. Looks like a massive fire...
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There have been complaints from local residents about the smell. Judy.trinh@... did a story about it a few years ago.? The light pollution maps dont capture the recent increase of light. It would be nice to see? a satellite example of the light.. Marco
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Re: Light pollution Masson area
开云体育贬颈… ? I saw a discussion about it amongst some geocacher friends on Facebook yesterday or today. Their comments were it seems to have gotten brighter. A photo taken from Orleans (I think) that I saw was a bit shocking. I haven’t noticed it from where I am in Tunney’s Pasture, but my horizon in that direction isn’t that good. ? ? —骋 ? From:
[email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of marco Vanderkooij <marcovanderkooij@...> Hi,? ? just North of the ferry Cumberland-Masson there appears to be an increase of light pollution related to the large weed plant /green houses. I knew it was there but I can now see it driving south from Mt Laurier as far as 50 km away (more clearly than Ottawa itself).? Did anybody notice it from the west end or central Ottawa? ? Thanks,? ? Marco
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