Astronomy Log

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 (July 2012 – to date)

Meade 5000 ED Triplet 127mm Telescope

Altair Astro 80mm Triplet ED Telescope

Altair Astro 200mm/8″ GSO RC Telescope

Coronado PST Telescope

Atik 314L+ CCD Camera

DMK21 AU618 Mono USB CCD Camera

DMK21 Colour USB CCD Camera

QHY5 Guider Camera

Skywatcher NEQ6 Mount

Lakeside Stepper Motor Focus Systems

Starlight Xpress USB 1.25″ Filter Wheel

Astronomik H-Alpha CCD Filter

Astronomik OIII CCD Filter

Astronomik SII CCD Filter

Astronomik LRGB Filters

AE Imagemate 4x

Televue Barlow 2x

Televue Powermate 2.5x

Televue 15mm Plossl

Televue 25mm Plossl

Televue 40mm Plossl

3″ Kendrick Bahtinov Mask

Baader IR/UV Filter

Baader Solar Continuum Filter

Kelner 9mm Eyepiece

Astro Engineering Pro Pier

2x Rapid Observatory Power Supply

Camera/CCD Equipment

• Canon 550D Digital SLR Camera
• Atik 314L+ CCD Camera
• DMK21 Mono USB CCD Camera
• QHY5 Guider Camera
• Canon EFS 18-55mm USM IS Lens
• Canon EF 50mm Mk II Lens
• Canon EFS 75-300mm USM Lens
• Manfrotto Camera Tripod

Old Kit (Feb 2012 – Feb 2013)

• Skywatcher Equinox 66mm Telescope
• Skywatcher MN190 Telescope

Old Kit (Mar 2011 – July 2012)

• Skywatcher ED120 DS Pro Telescope
• Skywatcher ED80 DS Pro Telescope

Old Kit (Sep 2008 – Mar 2011)

• Meade 10″ LX200 GPS Telescope
• 3x Televue Barlow Lens
• Telrad Finder + Dewshield
• 10″ FarPointAstro Bahtinov Mask
• Meade  f/3.3 Focal Reducer
• Hursch f/6.6 Focal Reducer
• AE Hartmann Mask + ETX90 Solar Filter
• Flexible Dew Shield
• Moon Filter
• Assorted Coloured Filters
• Meade Ultra Wedge

Camera Equipment

• Canon 450D Digital SLR Camera

Old Kit (Sept 2007 – May 2010)

• Star Sky 80mm Refractor Telescope
• Logitech Quickcam Pro4000 Webcam
• Philips SPC900 Webcam

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
• Photoshop
• Maxim DL
• 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

• Astronomik H-Beta CCD 1.25″ Filter
• Atik 460EX CCD Camera