Author: Liam O’Brien
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PiKon Telescope – DIY, 3D printed, Raspberry Pi enabled
This neat project from Royal Astronomical Society member Mark Wrigley showcases what can be done with new low cost disruptive technologies like 3D printing and single board computers such as the Raspberry Pi. Costing only ~$312 as a fully built kit or much less if you have some of the parts and tools needed. This is among one…
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Russ Leonard builds 6in refractor
Member Russ Leonard recently put the finishing touches on a brand new 6in F/15 refracting telescope, mounted on a DIY Alt-Az mount built from stained Oak, the design utilizes a friction clutch complete with precision settings circles, much like a Dobsonian. Weighing in at almost 500lbs and standing taller than Russ (who is pretty tall to start with) this telescope means business,…
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Member published in Astronomy Technology Today
Member Shef Robotham recently had an article published in the “Astro Tips” section of Astronomy Technology Today, detailing a modification for mounting the guide scope used for imaging. You can see a copy of the article below (click to enlarge). Great job Shef!
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Unusual Comet Survives a Fiery Plunge
Click here to view an animated image sequence of the comets trip around the sun. Astronomers using NASA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) are puzzling over a new comet that recently made a dive towards the sun and lived. According to recent observations the comet appears to be getting brighter as it heads earthwards, possibly turning into a…
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Incoming! Comet C/2014 Lovejoy Makes An Appearance
Comet Lovejoy is at its best this week and next, especially now that the Moon is gone from the evening sky. The comet is glowing at about 5th magnitude well to the west of Orion early in the week — nice in binoculars and possibly visible very dimly to the unaided eye, depending on your sky conditions.…
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LHAAC and MAS members repair telescope
The 16 inch telescope now in the observatory is not the original one. The 17.5 inch telescope originally built by members of the Mattatuck club was removed some years ago to be equipped with automatic tracking. The project languished but is now back on track. Members of the two clubs are working to complete the…
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Observatory repaired
The observatory at White Memorial was built in 1996 by the Mattatuck Astronomical Society and has been showing signs of age. In November, 2013, members of MAS and LHAAC got together to repair the rails for the roll-off roof. We believe those repairs will outlive most of us. The 17.5″ telescope has been installed, replacing…