Latest News

Rants, raves, ramblings.....things that have happened that affect me, the observatory or the results obtained.

[July, 27 2010] 7Timer Sky Predictions

I have only recently come across a sky conditions prediction service written by Chinese Undergrad Student Quanzhi Ye.  It is remarkably accurate so far and has allowed me to plan the targets that best suit the expected sky conditions thus opening up extra observing time and allocating time to the right target.  Well done Quanzhi. 

The Remote access I now have to my observatory has been tested well and works almost flawlessly.  I was able to attend a Canberra Astronomical Society meeting at Mt Stromlo and still monitor and adjust my observing run at Hunters Hill Observatory.  Bob Denny, author of the automation software ACP that I am using has been inundated with queries as to how his software will work on the iPad.  I guess I am breaking ground for him here providing screen dumps and browser recommendations :)

[July, 01 2010] Winter brings better Weather

Some improvement in the weather as winter strikes.  Also added to the technology to make observing a little easier.  With the introduction of a Static IP address and the acquisition of an Apple iPad, I can now access the observatory from anywhere I can get a 3G phone signal or WiFi signal.  (Just a convenience factor really)

[March, 31 2010] More Bad Weather

Wow, can't believe that it is March already.  Weather hasn't been too kind this year so far.  When it was fine (3 days) I was sick with the flu - figures.

[November, 14 2009] More Hot Weather

Summer has arrive with a vengeance - again - and it is hot.  With temperatures well over 30° almost daily (and minimums in the high 20's/low 30's) BUT it appears with this years hot weather has come some consistency in clear nights.  Winter saw a huge number of whole weeks and months of cloudy conditions.  Fingers crossed the clear weather will continue.

[January, 30 2009] More Hot Weather

Summer has arrive with a vengeance and it is hot.  With temperatures well over 40°c (around 110°f) almost daily (and minimums in the high 20's/low 30's) it's been hard to get good images due to poor camera cooling and lots of CCD noise.  This is an all time record for number of days at this temperature here in Canberra - and we don't have the worst of it......

[December, 05 2008] More Bad Weather

More bad weather keeping the observatory closed.  If it's not cloud then it's wind.  Ah well, things can only get better and chances are I'll get a long string of clear nights (probably over a full moon period)

[August, 24 2008] A break in the Bad Weather

A break in the weather and a mostly clear night.  That makes 4 such nights in 3 months......  I haven't had this type of 'bad' weather before but at least it's raining with it.

[July, 05 2008] Bad Weather

Been a long string of poor weather.  Strong westerly winds or cloud have kept the observatory closed.

[May, 30 2008] MicrFUN again

The uFUN team announced an exciting target with the possibility of an infinite lens/magnification and they were desperate for observations.  HHO was placed to catch the rise and possibly the peak.  The target did brighten significantly as can be seen here.

[March, 31 2008] What a string of good weather...

Instead of the usual 5 or 6 nights I got 16 nights worth of data.  Busy, busy, busy.  That's a lot of data (Gb's) lots of reduction and analysis and an additional 6 targets completed!

[March, 14 2008] Nice bout of good weather for a change...

Finally some good weather and now many targets under my belt for 2008.  I was also awarded by Graduate Certificate in Science (Astronomy) from Swinburne University.  Next will be another 4 units to get my Graduate Diploma - but I am going to have to strengthen my math skills....

● Email Me at higginsdj at bigpond dot com ●