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/