About Me
I am a computer programmer who specialises in Oracle databases, as well as MySQL and PHP, together with all things HTML and web based.
I enjoy playing music, my main instruments are drums, keyboards, bass and guitar..
As a child I loved watching Science Fiction films and TV programs, I was one of those kids who hid behind the sofa when the daleks appeared in Dr Who. I worship the Star Wars films, and I can’t remember how many times I have seen them.
So in May 2007 just after my 35th birthday I decided to purchase a telescope and have a closer look at the night sky. I ended up purchasing a Bresser Messier 130N as my first telescope. After about 3 months of summer viewing I decided to make a bigger purchase and bought a second hand 10″ LX200 GPS telescope. My first refractor was a Star Sky £100 80mm scope, which I used as a guide scope and also did some great imaging with it, using a barlow and fringe killer filter. After 9months with it, I liked it so much I decided to buy a Skywatcher ED80 Pro telescope.
This has even driven me to watch the BBC Sky at Night program and purchase the odd astronomy magazine.
I am also a member of the Cambridge Astronomy Association.
My Astronomy Kit
Latest Kit (May 2010 – to date)
- Meade 10″ LX200 GPS Telescope
- Skywatcher ED80 Pro Telescope
- 2x Televue Barlow Lens
- 3x Televue Barlow Lens
- Astronomik H-Alpha CCD Filter
- Astronomik OIII CCD Filter
- Astronomik SII CCD Filter
- Astronomik CLS CCD Filter
- Televue 15mm Plossl
- Televue 25mm Plossl
- Televue 40mm Plossl
- Telrad Finder + Dewshield
- Logitech Quickcam Pro4000 Webcam
- Imaging Source DMK21
- Meade DSI Pro Mono II
- Meade f/3.3 Focal Reducer
- Hursch f/6.6 Focal Reducer
- AE Hartmann Mask + ETX90 Solar Filter
- AC466 AE Solar Viewfinder Converter
- Flexible Dew Shield
- Filter Wheels
- Moon Filter
- Assorted Coloured Filters
- Baader IR/UV Filter
- Baader Solar Continuum Filter
- Baader Fringe Killer Filter
- Meade 12mm Wired Illuminated Eyepiece
- Kelner 9mm Eyepiece
- Astro Engineering Pro Pier
- Meade Ultra Wedge
Camera Equipment
- Canon 450D Digital SLR Camera
- Canon 18-55mm USM Lens
- Canon 75-300mm USM Lens
- Canon Remote Control
- Hama Star Camera Tripod
Old Kit (Sept 2007 – May 2010)
- Star Sky 80mm Refractor Telescope
Old Kit (May 2007 – Sept 2007)
- Meade Bresser Messier 130N 5″ Newtonian Telescope
- RA Motor Drive for MON1
- 2x Achro Barlow Lens
- Plossl 25mm
- Plossl 15mm
- Plossl 10mm
Software currently used:
- Starry Night Backyard & Starry Night Professional
- Stellarium
- Macromedia Fireworks
- Registax
- ICapture
- PHD Guiding
Software NOT used anymore
- Logitech Quickcam Bundled Software
- VLounge Bundled Software with Philips SPC900
- Microsoft AMCap Webcam Software
Astronomy Equipment Wishlist
- Televue Powermate 2.5x
- Televue Powermate 5x
- 1.25″ William Optics Diagonal
- 3″ Bahnitov Mask
- 10″ Bahnitov Mask
- Astronomik H-Beta CCD 1.25″ Filter
- Starlight Xpress USB 1.25″ Filter Wheel
