This is really a group project that didn't get finished. From earlier this summer, the data was taken by Garrett, and partially processed by Laurie (my daughter). I combined it this morning to see what was there. After power returned to the observatory.
We had a lightning strike that knocked out power to the Old Fort Lewis water pump for just over a week. Unfortunately that is where we tap power.
So these frames had been hidden, while we couldn't get power. Apparently the equipment on the power line that got hit was so old, they had to scavenge something off an old pole in Silverton. (!?)
And the new wedge still needs aligning. And this is the local monsoon season, so the weather has been flakey for over a month. Not too productive!
But! Finally got power back yesterday and did a left-right drift alignment at zenith. (Then took some un-useable M13 while playing around.) Looks clear tonight, so will aim low to try a DEC drift align. Might try to get back to M13, since that should show through the moon.
Maybe something new this weekend.
Charlie
We had a lightning strike that knocked out power to the Old Fort Lewis water pump for just over a week. Unfortunately that is where we tap power.
So these frames had been hidden, while we couldn't get power. Apparently the equipment on the power line that got hit was so old, they had to scavenge something off an old pole in Silverton. (!?) And the new wedge still needs aligning. And this is the local monsoon season, so the weather has been flakey for over a month. Not too productive!
But! Finally got power back yesterday and did a left-right drift alignment at zenith. (Then took some un-useable M13 while playing around.) Looks clear tonight, so will aim low to try a DEC drift align. Might try to get back to M13, since that should show through the moon.
Maybe something new this weekend.
Charlie
Attached Image:
Fort Lewis Observatory: (37.238, -108.052) ~2360m (7744 ft.) elevation.
Darkness - typically 6.5+
Scope - Meade 16" LX200; f6.3 focal reducer
Focus - JMI Smart focus
Camera - SBIG ST-10XE; (~.5"/pixel)
Guiding - AO-8 and/or Meade 5"/DSI/PHD
http://www.fortlewis.edu/observatory
