Great Weather At Last !!

Well, after six weeks of terrible weather, Mother Nature has finally smartened up. As much as I'd like to be out at the observing site, I have already committed myself to shucking corn for the world record. I do, however, think I may just do a little personal observing tonight and maybe some imaging of Saturn. Tomorrow looks just as likely to be nice and clear and I quite possibly will be out at the site. Yippie for good weather!!
I can't wait to have something to post about.

TEC Astronomy Camera, Full Cycle

Here you can see a full cycle of the TEC cooling. The temperature range is quite significant, but I'm working on it.

Assistance Needed to Convert Older Webcamera to Long Exposure Astronomy Camera

I'm hopeful there is someone who may be able to assist me in any way in converting this camera. I also need the drivers as well. I am also under the assumtion that this camera is from the UK. I have been researching modifications by Steve Chambers and others, but the camera selections are extremely limited. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cooled Astro Camera: Model 001

This is my first attempt at building a thermoelectricaly cooled astronomy camera. The main components consist of an unmodified webcam (aside from being removed from the factory casing), a standard digital home thermostat, a thermoelectric coupler scavenged from a portable 12 volt cooler and a mid size project box. So far as I can tell the thermostat is only capable of reading as low as 5.5 degrees Celsius, but I do know it can get colder than that since I had frost form on the camera during one test. Can't wait to start on Model 002.

Club Observing Session for Tonight

So far so good on the forcast for tonight. For those who are able to make it out for a little star gazing tonight, I will be there around sunset to start setting up. There will be a thin 5 day old cresent Moon to view along with the planets Mars and Saturn to enjoy. Hopefuly I can have a glitch free evening this time.

Apparent Cloudy Skies for Friday Night/Solar Eclipse Sunday, May 20th

After having looked at the usual websites to make a guestimation on tonight's weather, it would appear to me that tonight will most likely be too clouded over for any real decent sky watching. It may clear late tonight for those that can observe from home. I am hopeful that tomorrow night will be clear. There will be on a good note this Sunday the 20th, an annular solar eclipse (where the Moon doesn't completely block out the Sun). The partial eclipse starts at approximately 5pm and ends at 7:23pm. This event should be well seen in both Abbotsford and Chilliwack. *REMEMBER: IT IS NOT SAFE TO VIEW THE SUN WITHOUT AN APPROPRIATE FILTER SUCH AS WELDERS GOGGLES OR ACTUAL SOLAR VIEWING PRODUCTS.* (This months issue of "Sky News" does contain a pair of Solar Glasses that are safe for this particular viewing without a telescope or binoculars.) I hope everyone gets a chance to see it.

Invite by Fraser Valley Astronomers Society.

Tonight I have accepted an ivitation to McDonald Park, observing site of the Fraser Valley Atronomers Society. I encourage others to come out for a look-see.

Planets and Stars Abound in Clear Skies

To my pleasure, I would like to invite all club members to join me at our observing site for an evening under the stars. The skies should be clear with good to great seeing and transparency. Three planets will be on display again tonight with Venus showing a fine crescent shape. I hope to see many of our members come out for a good time.

Clear Skies for the Weekend

So far, to my enjoyment, the weather forecast for this weekend looks very promising. Friday may have a few scattered clouds, but Saturday may be totally clear. So far as I know, there aren't any special happenings in the sky this weekend other than last quarter Moon. As we saw last weekend, the Moon never fails to amaze, so it will be one of my targets this weekend. Hopefully we shall see another evening of celestial wonders.

Super Moon

This weekends super moon didn't fail to impress. Club members and non club members I've talked to were thouroughly delighted.

Super Moon

A heads up on the upcomming week.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.space.com%2F15474-supermoon-full-moon-2012.html&h=8AQFtcqxr

Club Member Has Website Up

Chilliwack Night Sky Observers club member Conway Hui has posted his own amature astronomy website. I wanted to pass along this info to all other club members. Enjoy.

http://www3.telus.net/telescopereviews/

Cloud Cover For The Evening

Due to the weather, the club will not be meeting tonight. Possibly tomorrow if weather permits.

CNSO on YouTube & Twitter

A video of the newly donated Dobsonian telescope can be seen at the Club YouTube channel. Search and subscribe to ChwkNghtSkyObs. There is currently only two videos at the moment, but there are other handy channels linked to ours. Check it out.

We can also be found at @chwknightsky on Twitter if you use that as your main account.

9.25 Inch Dobsonian Telescope Donated!!

The Chilliwack Night Sky Observers would like to welcome two new menmbers, Paul Greenhalgh and Ben Rankin. Coincidentaly, Paul is the President of The Fraser Valley Astronomers Society of Abbottsford who through the generosity of Paul's club, donated a 9.25 inch Dobsonian telescope to The Chilliwack Night Sky Observers. It does need just a little TLC to get it in optimum working condition, but this is minor. So, our club now has it's own scope for all to use. Thanks again, Paul.

Cancled Club Debut

To my dismay, I will have to cancel tonight's club debut. Unfortunately Shaw was not able to attend either. I will have to put some thought into when the best date will be for our attempt at our next debut. As always, watch the Facebook page and the Club Blog.
You can also observe the weather reports here:

http://cleardarksky.com/c/McDnldPkBCkey.html?1

and here:

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/satellite/animateweb_e.html?imagetype=satellite&imagename=goes_wcan_vvi_m_..................jpg&nbimages=1&clf=1

I have been tossing around the idea of doing a beginners astronomy class and possibly a astrophotography and planetary imaging course. If anyone is interested, please let me know.

Losing Faith in the Weather

Well, I definitely am losing faith in the weather forecasts. Unfortunately I was under the impression that it was going to be partly cloudy last night, so I figured it wouldn't be a good night out for the club. I was wrong. The sky was exquisitely clear. The cold breeze died off around 11pm, but by then it was a little too late to go set up. So, I have decided that due to last nights failure to accurately predict the weather, for future club gatherings, I highly recommend checking the Facebook page or the club blog to get the latest update on when a night at the observing site is going to happen or not happen.
The latest update is that Shaw will not be available to film any video due to a higher priority commitment. They have given advance notice for the June 5th transit of Venus.
So at this moment in time, the forecast is not looking so hot, so an update as to the debut night happening will be posted by 6pm.

Spring Time Debut Night

So far the weather report looks promising for the Spring Debut Night for our little club meet on the 21st. On the evening of the 21st, the Lyrid meteor shower should offer up a great view. Venus and Jupiter will be visible for a time after sunset and Mars will shine brighly as evening sets in. Saturn will make a stunning target with the rings tilted an easily visible 17 degrees. For those who may be able to make it to the wee morning hours, Mercury will rise just before sunrise on the 22nd.

The 21st is also International Earth Day. I hope a large number of people take part by unplugging or turning off any uneccessary electronics to help in reducing their carbon footprint. Plus it wouldn't hurt to turn off any excessive outdoor lighting to help return our dark night skies.

Hope to see many of you there.

Second Successful Club Get-Together !!

Second Night Out A Stellar Success

Another spectacular evening under the stars last night. With 13 people in attendance, it's our largest gathering so far. Seven of those who attended, were first timers.  Views of Mars, Venus, Saturn and the Moon were a few of the glamorous objects viewed last night. Even a few meteors were seen. 

The night wasn't without it's hiccups. I had hoped to have a camera ready to capture images that would display on a computer, but I was still a little rusty having it ready.... Next time.

With numbers increasing, I am hoping that it will be a continuing trend as summer and warmer weather approach.

Keep watching the skies!

Club Night at the Observing Site !!

After  few weeks of almost horrible weather, it appears that the skies should be beautifuly clear tonight for observing. However, on the down side with a plus, the moon reached fullness yesterday which will prevent observation of many of the wonderful, faint objects that are such a joy to observe. On the plus side, with the full moon in the sky all night, it provides ample time to really scrutinize the closest neighbor to earth.
Venus will be visible for about a couple hours after sunset, presenting a 1/4 phase similar to our moon.

Venus as it would appear at high magnification

Mars reaches it's highest point in the sky this evening at just after 8:30 pm appearing about 11 arc seconds in diameter.



Mars as it would appear at high magnification

Saturn reaches it's highest point near midnight showing it's rings tilted and possibly the beginning of a shadow from the planet on the rings. 

Saturn as it would appear at high magnification with rings tilted.

So with the weather improving, I invite members and non-members to attend tonight at the Unsworth Observing Site. Dress warm though, since with little cloud cover, the temperature may drop quite low after dark. See you there !

The Clubs first meet at the observing site was another success. 9 members were in attendance, including the wife and myself. The weather wasn't the greatest as a significant drop in temperature and increase in wind drove us all indoors. Unfortunately the seeing conditions (the amount of sparkle and shimmer of stars) being not so good for viewing, put a hamper on Saturday night.
Hopefuly the weather and temperature make a change for the better next weekend. I will do my best to keep the club posted on future outtings, and I hope to see as many or more members next time out.
Keep watching the skies.

Thin cresent moon at sunset from the obsevrving site

With such an improvement in the weather, the first club night is tonight. For all those in the club who would like to meet at the observing site, I will be there from 7:30 until about 12:00. The entrance to the observing site is located on Unsworth Ave, between Kieth Wilson and Lickman Ave. near the elementary school. There will be a sign to watch for. See you all there!

Last nights inaugural meeting was considered a success, although not all members were able to attend. We did raise a possible new member or two as well. Our next club meeting is currently scheduled for April 21st, the debut night for the club. Shaw cable will be filming a piece about the club, so I hope that as many members can make it as possible.

The club is now up and running. We are able to use the site on Friday and Saturday nights when the weather permits. However, Mark who has donated the land prefers that I be present on all observing nights to moderate any activities. We are hoping that the weather improves soon and the ground dries at the site. The April debut night will be here before we know it.

More Astro Photos

A decent attempt at a close up of Jupiter. Celestron C8 and modified webcam.

 Composite of Jupiter and it's moons.

The Orion Nebula, north is at left. Antares 152mm Achromatic Refractor and Canon 350D.

Stacked frames from webcam and Clestron C8.

The Double Cluster in Perseus. Celestron C8 and Canon 350D.



Planetary Conjuction

Jupiter and Venus in conjunction on March 13th, 2012. The Plieadies Cluster can be seen near top center.

Chilliwack Night Sky Observers Debut Night

There has been a change for the date of the debut night for Chilliwack Night Sky Observers. The event is now scheduled for Saturday April 21st (weather permitting) from 7pm on. It is a great night for a debut since the planets Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn will be in the sky to view, the Lyrids meteor shower should put on a good show and a thin cresent moon may also be in the sky to view just before sunset.

With no shortage of great targets to view, please come out and support our group and learn a little about the universe we live in. Also you can show your support even if you don't come out to the debut night. Earth Day is April 22. All you have to do is turn off all unecessary lights and other power sources for one hour at 8pm local time. That's it. Help reduce power consumption and ligtht pollution in one easy step.

Sunset thrills

 

Tonight the planets Mercury, Venus and Jupiter can be seen in the West if you have a clear horizon and Mars  pairs with the moon in the East. If clear skies allow, arorae from a massive solar eruption the day before yesterday could show. However the full moon may prevent any from being seen. Enjoy !

Club Meet and Greet

There is going to be the inaugural meeting of the Chilliwack Night Sky Observers at The Canton Garden in Chilliwack on Monday, March 19th at 6pm. A meal is optional. I hope to see many attend.