Removed the CCD camera and filter wheel from the imaging scope, brought it indoors, and let it warm up. Then I checked the filters for cleanliness – they seem OK and I decided not to muck with them other than blowing dust off. Disassembled the CCD camera and found the protective window to be quite dirty with microscopic dust spots, so I cleaned this with 99% isoprop alcohol, both sides. The CCD itself seems ok, and I didn’t clean it except for gently blowing off dust.

Notes from Journal Page: January 9, 2010

It’s finally clear, but very cold.  Right now the outside temperature is showing (only) -12 but the forecast says it will drop to -21 tonight, hitting the low about 10:00 PM and staying there.

I went outside this afternoon to clear the snow and ice from the dome cover and shovel the deck clear around the dome door, and went into the dome and turned on the heater at the “keep from freezing” setting, which will very gently warm the interior of the dome just slightly, holding it a few degrees above freezing, which should make the startup of the mount, gears, motors, etc., a little easier.

Tonight’s plan is to gather more data for the B33 region that I started a couple of weeks ago.  I still need all three RGB colours, and would also like some straight luminance to serve as a base for the Ha capture I already have.  I will also do a quick RGB image of a G2V star, if I can find a convenient one quickly, to calibrate the colour mix. Continue reading →

Journal Page: January 21

It’s finally clear, and not very cold – about -3C. Been cloudy for weeks, and suddenly a good clear stretch. Quite warm – around freezing – the last few days so humidity will be high and probably poor transparency.

Tonight’s plan is to gather more data for the B33 region that I started a couple of weeks ago. I still need all three RGB colours, and would also like some straight luminance to serve as a base for the Ha capture I already have. I will also do a quick RGB image of a G2V star, if I can find a convenient one quickly, to calibrate the colour mix. Continue reading →