Doug's Introduction

Doug gave the usual introduction to the Society, along with an overview of some of the topics of the rest of the meeting.

Observations

Doug: noticed Orion is leaving us for the winter.
Ben Llewellyn is in hibernation, along with a lot of people this winter.
Tim Caruk: images, shown later in Robert's segment.
Greg Baggs, Robert Babb: 12+ objects last week at Butterpot.
Garry Dymond: Garry has a few spectra, shown later in Robert's segment.

Mallincam CCD Observational System

Greg has come back to Newfoundland, but was previously a member of the Ottawa Valley Astronomy and Observers Group (OAOG). One of their founding members, Rock Mallin, developed a video astronomy system as a business. The system is based on the newer security cameras. Some of the highlights:

These are highly modified security video cameras. They produce video output, so there is no need of a computer, just a TV set. They can take exposures of 7-14 seconds. The latest models can do up to 56 seconds of on-chip integration.
Electronic shutter feature: 1/60 to 1/12000 (the frame rate is still the same).
Built in Peltier coolers.
Rock hand-selects the CCD chips so there are very few hot spots or other quality issues.
Easier on polar alignment and focusing.
Can be operated remotely (sort of) with up to 50 feet of video cable. Probably can handle twice that no problem.
The controls are physical switches and buttons on the camera, so remote operation is only possible once a certain selection of settings have been chosen.
Settings are changed by an On Screen Display (OSD), like your DVD/VCR.
The pixel number is about the same as a web cam, but the size is 1/2-inch (bigger). This is better for astronomy.
Can mask a chosen quadrant of the image (eg. to prevent blooming from a bright star in that area). The pixels are turned off in that particular quadrant.

Greg proceeded to some slide show shots of the OSD and explained some of the main settings you would use for lunar, planetary, or deep sky objects. The configuration change, while manual, is pretty minimal to go from one to the other.

Greg showed us some images obtained from video capture (what you see on you TV screen will be of a slightly better quality). There were three from Rock Mallin himself, including one of M57 in daylight (technically the sun was below the horizon). Greg had a number of pictures, his favourite object being NGC 4565. The camera makes it easy to quickly scan over what you want to look at. Later, you can edit a video to grab the good frames only and process them.

GA 2008 / The Rooms

Doug had a brief blurb on the upcoming GA, including what to expect at a GA if you are a newbie. We are involved with an exhibit at The Rooms, called "Time and Space". Three artists are displaying, but some Centre members were asked to provide a few photos and these are being displayed in a small side room. We are looking for help for some public observing events that will be held in conjunction with the Rooms. Right now these are scheduled for May 8 and May 28 at 8-10pm. If you can help or bring a scope for the public to view objects with, get in touch with Gary Case, our Education Director, or any other member of the executive.

The Butterpot Star Party is scheduled for August 8 - 10, though final arrangements await the opening of the Park in the next few weeks, when staff come back.

Sky Next Month

Robert passed out his sheet of upcoming things to look for. He discussed the sky over the next month. Some member's pictures followed, with Robert as MC:

Tim Caruk: Tim has some new pictures, in particular the Rosette Nebula, on the web site.
Garry Dymond: Garry has recently gotten into taking spectra and playing with software to tease out the lines. He has gotten almost professional results, showing us a spectra of Regulus. The black and white version of his spectrometer can get down to 9th magnitude, the colour one he has needs slightly brighter stars. Not bad for a couple of hundred dollars.

Coffee

Other Minutes: All Previous Next

Please send any additions or corrections to:

David Bourgeois

This document was generated using AFT v5.096