Orion's Sword, the region of sky below Orion's Belt includes the Orion Nebula(M42), Running Man Nebula(NGC 1977), the open cluster NGC 1981, and Iota Orionis.
The Orion Nebula is the closest stellar nursery to our solar system. Stellar nurseries are clouds of molecular gas that produce thousands of new stars and then gradually dissipate. The Orion Nebula is 1,500 light years fromEarth and six light years or 35 trillion miles across.
---------------------------------
The Nebula was captured using a Canon T1i Camera at ISO 3200 on a 6 inch Schmidt Newtonian. Autoguide Meade by Pictor on a Celestron CGEM mount
HDR processing by Rob , 0306=13s, 0307=78s, 0304=-296s
.
Photo ID: m42hdr20091018_Sat74_Q80.jpg
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Friction Telescope Drive, a new design
I will detail the development of a new design that started out as simple way to achieve accurate telescope tracking for astrophotography, free of periodic error and backlash. By simple, I mean that the basic embodiment can be constructed by hand tools.
Initial tests exceed my expectations, even with known fabrication deficiencies.
------------------------
Arcturus photo using 411 sec exposures. New drive design by Ed Johnson
High Wind Warning in effect and windy. Seeing = bad (see insert, short exposure crop)
Field 1.05ยบ high, North=down, Mag limit ~~ 14-15, ISO=100
11 day old moon not far away from target. Right image is contrast enhanced.
8 " f/4 scope, see www.flickr.com/photos/edhiker/2978778220
Closeup of drive lashup www.flickr.com/photos/edhiker/3491156027/
Friction drive at 76.5 Hz and 0.500" drive roller = best (right photo)
Left exposure used 75.5 Hz drive rate.
.Comments:
Pointing and guiding is not easy at this time (keep unguided exposures <2min)
Wind showed the friction drive is very sturdy-rigid-stable.
Pole finder tube used - only.... recheck axis elevation
Next time, start off by taking Polaris with drive off, then on.
Next drive roller to be about 0.6375" for 60 Hz drive (adjustable accurate source (this part is a game, to see how close the mechanics can be made))
Next is to make it transportable and easy setup.
Motor=4RPM, gears 20:66 (15 / 20) * 66 = 49.5 sec @ input of 40:1 worm = 1980 sec (33m) rotation on drive roller. Roller ratio s/b 86164 / 1980 = 43.5171717
Small roller r s/b 13.88 / 43.5171717 = 0.318954552, Dia = 0.6379 for 60Hz
Measured r of drive arc sector = 13.88"
.Background
Friction drive efficiency is high, very smooth, many times stiffer than any other gearing system, has zero backlash and periodic error. Machining is very straight forward as only cylindrical surfaces are needed (www.dfmengineering.com)
Large scope using a friction drive: www.flickr.com/photos/edhiker/3210785525/
.
The Earth's rotation relative to the stars is called a sidereal day, it has a length of 86164 seconds (a Solar day is 86400 seconds)
Coincidence of Dimensions: 0.6379 - 0.6375 = 0.0004" = Rob's calculation from my by trial speed setting vs my calculation from moter speed\gears\roller sizes
.
IMG_7940-41_Arcturus_8inF4_411-412_75.5-76.5Hzsec
Test photo link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/edhiker/3509743245/
I will detail the development of a new design that started out as simple way to achieve accurate telescope tracking for astrophotography, free of periodic error and backlash. By simple, I mean that the basic embodiment can be constructed by hand tools.
Initial tests exceed my expectations, even with known fabrication deficiencies.
------------------------
Arcturus photo using 411 sec exposures. New drive design by Ed Johnson
High Wind Warning in effect and windy. Seeing = bad (see insert, short exposure crop)
Field 1.05ยบ high, North=down, Mag limit ~~ 14-15, ISO=100
11 day old moon not far away from target. Right image is contrast enhanced.
8 " f/4 scope, see www.flickr.com/photos/edhiker/2978778220
Closeup of drive lashup www.flickr.com/photos/edhiker/3491156027/
Friction drive at 76.5 Hz and 0.500" drive roller = best (right photo)
Left exposure used 75.5 Hz drive rate.
.Comments:
Pointing and guiding is not easy at this time (keep unguided exposures <2min)
Wind showed the friction drive is very sturdy-rigid-stable.
Pole finder tube used - only.... recheck axis elevation
Next time, start off by taking Polaris with drive off, then on.
Next drive roller to be about 0.6375" for 60 Hz drive (adjustable accurate source (this part is a game, to see how close the mechanics can be made))
Next is to make it transportable and easy setup.
Motor=4RPM, gears 20:66 (15 / 20) * 66 = 49.5 sec @ input of 40:1 worm = 1980 sec (33m) rotation on drive roller. Roller ratio s/b 86164 / 1980 = 43.5171717
Small roller r s/b 13.88 / 43.5171717 = 0.318954552, Dia = 0.6379 for 60Hz
Measured r of drive arc sector = 13.88"
.Background
Friction drive efficiency is high, very smooth, many times stiffer than any other gearing system, has zero backlash and periodic error. Machining is very straight forward as only cylindrical surfaces are needed (www.dfmengineering.com)
Large scope using a friction drive: www.flickr.com/photos/edhiker/3210785525/
.
The Earth's rotation relative to the stars is called a sidereal day, it has a length of 86164 seconds (a Solar day is 86400 seconds)
Coincidence of Dimensions: 0.6379 - 0.6375 = 0.0004" = Rob's calculation from my by trial speed setting vs my calculation from moter speed\gears\roller sizes
.
IMG_7940-41_Arcturus_8inF4_411-412_75.5-76.5Hzsec
Test photo link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/edhiker/3509743245/
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Comet Lulin over Los Angeles, Feb 3rd - will be brightest around Feb 24th
The Comet Lulin is getting brighter, and the public may soon be able to enjoy a view of the phenomenon without specialized telescopes.
Exposed for 20 minutes on February 03, 2009, 4:59 AM, 152mm f5, Canon Rebel
See also next three shots in photostream.
Comet Lulin's closest approach will be on February 24th, 2009
Mag 16 stars are easily seen in this shot, processed for "Light Pollution Reduction"
Read the news about at:
www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=comet+lulin&btnG=Go... and news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=comet%20lulin&um=1&a...
.
Dark sky view at antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090207.html
Exposed for 20 minutes on February 03, 2009, 4:59 AM, 152mm f5, Canon Rebel
See also next three shots in photostream.
Comet Lulin's closest approach will be on February 24th, 2009
Mag 16 stars are easily seen in this shot, processed for "Light Pollution Reduction"
Read the news about at:
www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=comet+lulin&btnG=Go... and news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=comet%20lulin&um=1&a...
.
Dark sky view at antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090207.html
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
30 inch f/12 Refractor by John Wall
How does it work? See www.nightskies.net/zerochromat/products/index.html and patent below.
The inventors have found that, if a negative lens is interposed between the field lens and the corrective positive lenses, it becomes possible to greatly shorten the optical train,
Accordingly, the invention provides an optical train comprising: a positive objective lens; a field lens, located at or close to the focus of said objective lens; one or more lenses, together forming a positive lens array, located beyond the focus of the said objective lens; and characterised by the provision of at least one negative lens, interposed between said field lens and said positive lens array.
The positive lens array is preferably arranged to correct for chromatic aberration, as described below.
The field lens - to gather off-axis rays - may be mounted at the focal plane of the objective lens. However, in this case, any imperfections in the field lens, or dust and the like located on the surface of the field lens, will come into focus, and adversely affect the image quality. Therefore, it is preferable that the field lens is not located precisely at the focal point, but wherein the said field lens and the focal point of the said objective lens is less than 5% of the focal length of the said objective lens.
More preferably, the distance between the said field lens and the focal point of the said objective lens is less than 1% of the focal length of the said objective lens.
www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?WO=2006123124&IA=GB20060...
----------------
The Hanwell Observatory also has a 30 inch f/6 reflector
myweb.tiscali.co.uk/hanwellobservatory/30_inch.htm#30inch
ps - The Crayford Focuser was invented by English amateur John Wall
The inventors have found that, if a negative lens is interposed between the field lens and the corrective positive lenses, it becomes possible to greatly shorten the optical train,
Accordingly, the invention provides an optical train comprising: a positive objective lens; a field lens, located at or close to the focus of said objective lens; one or more lenses, together forming a positive lens array, located beyond the focus of the said objective lens; and characterised by the provision of at least one negative lens, interposed between said field lens and said positive lens array.
The positive lens array is preferably arranged to correct for chromatic aberration, as described below.
The field lens - to gather off-axis rays - may be mounted at the focal plane of the objective lens. However, in this case, any imperfections in the field lens, or dust and the like located on the surface of the field lens, will come into focus, and adversely affect the image quality. Therefore, it is preferable that the field lens is not located precisely at the focal point, but wherein the said field lens and the focal point of the said objective lens is less than 5% of the focal length of the said objective lens.
More preferably, the distance between the said field lens and the focal point of the said objective lens is less than 1% of the focal length of the said objective lens.
www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?WO=2006123124&IA=GB20060...
----------------
The Hanwell Observatory also has a 30 inch f/6 reflector
myweb.tiscali.co.uk/hanwellobservatory/30_inch.htm#30inch
ps - The Crayford Focuser was invented by English amateur John Wall
Friday, February 13, 2009
Windows 7 Beta - an education
*** Windows 7 Beta - an education ***
Attention span for Win7 ran out, driver nightmare and I don't want to mess my machine up by swapping hardware, but it was a fun two days learning 2/13/09
----- My bookmarks ---------
http://www.computing.net/answers/windows-2000/making-bootable-isos/60987.html
http://www.allbootdisks.com/iso.html
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/12/23/illustrative-guide-to-create-bootable-iso-image-from-vista-win-image-files/
.. from my email http://runwin7fromusb.blogspot.com/2009/01/windows-7-free-activation-keys.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/removable-media-drives/341778-how-burn-bootable-iso-file.html
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/ Win Beta 7
List of Windows 7 Secrets http://blogs.msdn.com/tims/archive/2009/01/12/the-bumper-list-of-windows-7-secrets.aspx
Windows 7 Networking http://windows7forums.com/windows-7-networking/ , http://windows7forums.com/windows-7-networking/2510-windows-networking-fixed-w7-xp.html
Is it really impossible for MS to use old WinXP drivers in the new OS ? http://windows7forums.com/windows-7-hardware/2798-drivers-general.html
Windows 7 with Hardware report, Testing 'older' parallel, USB. http://forums.scotsnewsletter.com/index.php?showtopic=21932 no go for parallel printer..
alot (if not all) of these driver/hardware/software issues will be fixed by final release
Windows 7 Beta (7022 and 7032) http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4712592/Microsoft_Windows_7_Beta(Build_7032.0.x86fre.winmain.090115-1850 Comments
Windows 7 - impressions https://geekswithblogs.net/lvega/archive/2009/01/09/128507.aspx
Ubuntu 9.04 Alpha4 vs. Windows 7 Beta http://blog.ibeentoubuntu.com/2009/02/ubuntu-904-alpha4-vs-windows-7-beta.html (Linux)
Step-by-Step Guide to Migrating Files and Settings http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457074.aspx
Attention span for Win7 ran out, driver nightmare and I don't want to mess my machine up by swapping hardware, but it was a fun two days learning 2/13/09
----- My bookmarks ---------
http://www.computing.net/answers/windows-2000/making-bootable-isos/60987.html
http://www.allbootdisks.com/iso.html
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/12/23/illustrative-guide-to-create-bootable-iso-image-from-vista-win-image-files/
.. from my email http://runwin7fromusb.blogspot.com/2009/01/windows-7-free-activation-keys.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/removable-media-drives/341778-how-burn-bootable-iso-file.html
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/ Win Beta 7
List of Windows 7 Secrets http://blogs.msdn.com/tims/archive/2009/01/12/the-bumper-list-of-windows-7-secrets.aspx
Windows 7 Networking http://windows7forums.com/windows-7-networking/ , http://windows7forums.com/windows-7-networking/2510-windows-networking-fixed-w7-xp.html
Is it really impossible for MS to use old WinXP drivers in the new OS ? http://windows7forums.com/windows-7-hardware/2798-drivers-general.html
Windows 7 with Hardware report, Testing 'older' parallel, USB. http://forums.scotsnewsletter.com/index.php?showtopic=21932 no go for parallel printer..
alot (if not all) of these driver/hardware/software issues will be fixed by final release
Windows 7 Beta (7022 and 7032) http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4712592/Microsoft_Windows_7_Beta(Build_7032.0.x86fre.winmain.090115-1850 Comments
Windows 7 - impressions https://geekswithblogs.net/lvega/archive/2009/01/09/128507.aspx
Ubuntu 9.04 Alpha4 vs. Windows 7 Beta http://blog.ibeentoubuntu.com/2009/02/ubuntu-904-alpha4-vs-windows-7-beta.html (Linux)
Step-by-Step Guide to Migrating Files and Settings http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457074.aspx
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Comet Lulin over Los Angeles, Feb 3rd
Exposed for 20 minutes on February 03, 2009, 4:59 AM, 152mm f5, Canon Rebel
See also next three shots in photostream.
Comet Lulin's closest approach will be on February 24th, 2009
Mag 16 stars are easily seen in this shot, processed for "Light Pollution Reduction"
Read the news about at:
www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=comet+lulin&btnG=Go... and news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=comet%20lulin&um=1&a...
.
keywords:
Comet Lulin edhiker
See also next three shots in photostream.
Comet Lulin's closest approach will be on February 24th, 2009
Mag 16 stars are easily seen in this shot, processed for "Light Pollution Reduction"
Read the news about at:
www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=comet+lulin&btnG=Go... and news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=comet%20lulin&um=1&a...
.
keywords:
Comet Lulin edhiker
Thursday, January 29, 2009
New Comet Lulin over Los Angeles 1/28/09
Comet Lulin will make its closest approach to Earth on February 24, and while it will probably be hard to see with the naked eye, astronomers think the "fresh" new comet has the potential to brighten rapidly. The icy body has the potential to do something unexpected. Comet Lulin is arriving from the far reaches of the solar system on a nearly parabolic orbit, as if it come from infinity.
The comet's orbit is in nearly the same plane as Earth's but is traveling in the opposite direction. This causes Lulin to appear to move unusually fast and display a rare anti-tail—an optical effect that creates a secondary "tail" pointing toward the sun.
Pictures from non light polluted sites already showing Lulin's rare anti-tail.
www.ruppel.darkhorizons.org/IMAGES/N3_false_color_012409.jpg
As seen from Griffith Observatory tomsastroblog.com/?p=2760#
More can be found on Google www.google.com/search?sa=N&tab=nw&q=Comet%20Lulin
This image is a stack (using Deep Sky Stacker ( DSS )) of nine 47 second exposures, ISO 800. My location is light polluted Los Angeles city.
exposures using a Canon 75-300mm lens at 300mm.
The comet's orbit is in nearly the same plane as Earth's but is traveling in the opposite direction. This causes Lulin to appear to move unusually fast and display a rare anti-tail—an optical effect that creates a secondary "tail" pointing toward the sun.
Pictures from non light polluted sites already showing Lulin's rare anti-tail.
www.ruppel.darkhorizons.org/IMAGES/N3_false_color_012409.jpg
As seen from Griffith Observatory tomsastroblog.com/?p=2760#
More can be found on Google www.google.com/search?sa=N&tab=nw&q=Comet%20Lulin
This image is a stack (using Deep Sky Stacker ( DSS )) of nine 47 second exposures, ISO 800. My location is light polluted Los Angeles city.
exposures using a Canon 75-300mm lens at 300mm.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Comet Kushida over Los Angeles, closeup view
Comet Kushida over Los Angeles, closeup view
also at http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2866027/Main/2866027
Taken with 530mm lens at f7 on 1/16/09
also at http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2866027/Main/2866027
Taken with 530mm lens at f7 on 1/16/09
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Griffith Park Maps
http://edhiker.googlepages.com/gpmap05_se.jpg
http://edhiker.googlepages.com/gpmap05_ne.jpg
gpark.html4k
gpmap.html3k
gpmap03_sw.jpg297k
gpmap05_ne.jpg231k
gpmap05_nw.jpg235k
gpmap05_se.jpg241k
gpmap05_sw.jpg255k
gpmap32.jpg826k
Old links
http://edhiker.googlepages.com/edhiker_links.html
http://edhiker.googlepages.com/gpmap05_ne.jpg
gpark.html4k
gpmap.html3k
gpmap03_sw.jpg297k
gpmap05_ne.jpg231k
gpmap05_nw.jpg235k
gpmap05_se.jpg241k
gpmap05_sw.jpg255k
gpmap32.jpg826k
Old links
http://edhiker.googlepages.com/edhiker_links.html
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Yahoo is Watching YOU !
If you belong to ANY Yahoo Groups - be aware that Yahoo is now using
"Web Beacons" to track every Yahoo Group user. It's similar to
cookies, but allows Yahoo to record every website and every group you
visit, even when you're not connected to Yahoo. Look at their updated
privacy statement at: Privacy
http://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/details.html
About half-way down the page, in the section on *cookies*, you will
see a link that says *WEB BEACONS*. Click on the phrase "Web Beacons."
On the page that opens, on the left find a box entitled "Opt-Out." In
that section find "opt-out of interest-matched advertising" link that
will let you "opt-out" of their snooping. Click it and then click the
opt-out button on the next page. Note that Yahoo's invasion of your
privacy - and your ability to opt-out of it - is not user-specific. It
is MACHINE specific. That means you will have to opt-out on every
computer (and browser) you use.
"Web Beacons" to track every Yahoo Group user. It's similar to
cookies, but allows Yahoo to record every website and every group you
visit, even when you're not connected to Yahoo. Look at their updated
privacy statement at: Privacy
http://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/details.html
About half-way down the page, in the section on *cookies*, you will
see a link that says *WEB BEACONS*. Click on the phrase "Web Beacons."
On the page that opens, on the left find a box entitled "Opt-Out." In
that section find "opt-out of interest-matched advertising" link that
will let you "opt-out" of their snooping. Click it and then click the
opt-out button on the next page. Note that Yahoo's invasion of your
privacy - and your ability to opt-out of it - is not user-specific. It
is MACHINE specific. That means you will have to opt-out on every
computer (and browser) you use.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Springfield Telescope with Big Finder
Schmidt-Cassegrain Springfield Telescope
I'm thinking of making the ultimate user friendly telescope, fixed eyepiece and capable of having the observer in a warmed room.
It's amazing how close the final picture below is to my idea, goes to show how few ideas are really new.
Drawing fodder is below.
http://www.celestron.com/c2/images/files/technologies/starbright_xlt/tube_dia.gif
Optical layout of a Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope. A mirror will be placed near the center of gravity, directing the light path out the side, like the blue drawing below.
http://i.pbase.com/o6/22/675522/1/86448511.SfbXbEsU.IMG_7745.jpg
http://www.solarworlds.co.uk/images/about_sct.jpg
Below from http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Board/atm/Number/856685/page/2/view/collapsed/sb/7/o/all/fpart/3
"What I was looking at was an exact replica of the famous "Springfield Telescope" built by a gentleman who was a retired machinist. I handed him some money and asked that he send me a copy of Porter's original "blueprint". He did and I set about to model the device in one of today's more respected 3D solid modeling softwares: SolidWorks. - Art Bianconi Member # 15558
Total Posts 4659 Homepage http://www.vortexgenerator.net Occupation Mechanical Designer/Engineer
Attachment
(from edhiker) The project is to use a optical layout about like the above, but use a 8 to14 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope mounted as a Springfield.
Book - Unusual Telescopes By Peter L. Manly, pictures below from the book.
Notes which document taking apart a C11 = http://www.rothritter.com/C11_Project/
Ed 11/18/08
I'm thinking of making the ultimate user friendly telescope, fixed eyepiece and capable of having the observer in a warmed room.
It's amazing how close the final picture below is to my idea, goes to show how few ideas are really new.
Drawing fodder is below.
http://www.celestron.com/c2/images/files/technologies/starbright_xlt/tube_dia.gif
Optical layout of a Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope. A mirror will be placed near the center of gravity, directing the light path out the side, like the blue drawing below.
http://i.pbase.com/o6/22/675522/1/86448511.SfbXbEsU.IMG_7745.jpg
http://www.solarworlds.co.uk/images/about_sct.jpg
Below from http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Board/atm/Number/856685/page/2/view/collapsed/sb/7/o/all/fpart/3
"What I was looking at was an exact replica of the famous "Springfield Telescope" built by a gentleman who was a retired machinist. I handed him some money and asked that he send me a copy of Porter's original "blueprint". He did and I set about to model the device in one of today's more respected 3D solid modeling softwares: SolidWorks. - Art Bianconi Member # 15558
Total Posts 4659 Homepage http://www.vortexgenerator.net Occupation Mechanical Designer/Engineer
Attachment
(from edhiker) The project is to use a optical layout about like the above, but use a 8 to14 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope mounted as a Springfield.
Book - Unusual Telescopes By Peter L. Manly, pictures below from the book.
Notes which document taking apart a C11 = http://www.rothritter.com/C11_Project/
Ed 11/18/08
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