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.

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My Astronomy Kit

Latest Kit (July 2012 – to date)

  • Meade 5000 ED Triplet 127mm Telescope
  • Altair Astro 80mm Triplet ED Telescope
  • Coronado PST Telescope
  • Atik 460EX CCD Camera
  • ZWO Optical 120MM-S Mono Camera
  • Skywatcher EQ8 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
  • Canon EFS 18-55mm USM IS Lens
  • Canon EF 50mm Mk II Lens
  • Canon EFS 75-300mm USM Lens
  • Manfrotto Camera Tripod

Old Camera/CCD Equipment

  • Atik 314L+ CCD Camera
  • DMK21 Mono USB CCD Camera
  • DFK21 Colour USB CCD Camera
  • QHY5 Guider Camera

Old Kit (to 2019)

  • Altair Astro 200mm/8″ GSO RC Telescope
  • Meade 105ETX Telescope

Old Kit (Feb 2012 – Mar 2014)

  • Skywatcher NEQ6 Mount
  • Atik 314L+ Camera

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

  • Skywatcher Espirit 150