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Session Log
Sessions at the TSC@BDO
Imaging Session
2009.09.13
Bromont, Québec
While we're glad we got a good shot of the Triangulum Galaxy (M33) we're pretty pissed off about the session overall: Weather gave signs of possibly turning bad at around 3AM, at which time we decided it might be a good idea to pack up and avoid rain. Five minutes after packing up, the signs of bad weather dissipated and the night went on being clear. So, we essentially torched 3 hours of perfectly good and clear sky. Damnit! At least now we're on a roll, so there will be more to come.
Imaging Session
2009.09.06
Bromont, Québec
Finally a session at the official site, with use of all the official gear. Due to technical difficulties with the surface on which the telescope was setup, no DSO's were successfuly shot. The telescope did, however pick up a great set of pictures to assemble a mosaic of the 98%-full-moon.
Imaging Session
2009.08.16
Montreal, Québec
Another city session, again with planetary photography, notably of Jupiter. Attemptes of photographing Venus and Mars were failed.
Imaging Session
2009.08.13
Montreal, Québec
A smooth session setup while enjoying the perseids. First session with use of the StarShoot Autoguider kit. No DSO's shot. Pictures of Jupiter and the Moon shot.
DSO Imaging Session
2009.05.23
Ste Adèle, Québec
After a frustrating start (picked the wrong star during align, then the scope shut down after a good align due to a surge) we finally managed to image two objects from this new location, Nick Montoya's home up north. The Deer Lick galaxy came up on the DSI imager, but the main target of the night was the Whirlpool Galaxy, an object we had not imaged nor seen before. The picture and sights of M51 sure made our night! First session since DEC engine was replaced on warranty. Mount appears nominal.
Saturn Imaging
2009.04.19
Montreal, Québec
Thought we had it easy imaging Saturn, which was right above the balcony, nice and easy to target. Of course, the Declination engine thought it would be a great night to experience a malfunction. Nothing good was imaged and we were limited to visual observing and manual tracking on a @%^@*!$@%% equatorial mount. (Don't get me wrong... love EQ's for computer guided. But manual... ouch. Especially when the mount isn't designed for manual)
Spring Setup
2009.03.17, 2009.03.25
Montreal, Québec
Attempted to start a mosaic of Pleiades each time. Pictures may be released in re-processing albums in the near future, but for now these two sessions rendered nothing worth posting just now.
DSO Imaging Session Attempt
2009.01.23
Montreal, Québec
Forget it. Too cold, LCD freezes up. Shortly after, the operator of the telescope freezes up. That would be me. Screw this. See you this spring.
DSO Imaging Session
2008.11.01
Montreal, Québec
This session was particularly interesting. To begin with, it was the first time that instead of worrying about technical details, we knew enough to get setup much faster and concentrate our time on imaging.
This was incredibly successful as we not only managed to shoot targets we had picked prior to the session but, while waiting for the Orion nebula to show in our field of view, also spent four hours imaging the Andomeda Galaxy to experiment with mosaic pictures.
Weather wise, it was cold, but it was a good cold: perfect to keep the cam cool and not too harsh to freeze the LCD monitor on the telescope's controller. Conditions were ranging from excellent to good, with a few moments where atmospheric distortions would interrupt imaging.
First DSO Imaging Session
2008.10.19
Montreal, Québec
Geez, finally we hook up a computer that isn't broken (aka: has Windows Vistaster installed), isn't slow (aka: the 12 year old computer that serves as firewall), isn't unavailable (aka: not mine) : and it turns out it's the same computer that hosts our radio & video shows!
That's right! Our first successful imaging session, to my great disbelief, was carried out at the BDO HQ here in Montreal, Canada, instead of our preferred observatory in Bromont, Québec.
Turns out the results were pretty impressive given I still suck at fine alignments, camera adjustments and other such things. See our photography album of this session to view the results.
Viewing session
2008.08.31
Bromont, Québec (TSC@BDO)
Finally resolved many align issues, mostly all revolving around the date/time setting, which unexpectedly reset after hard shut-downs. Viewed an incredible range of objects, ranging from nebuale, galaxies and other faint, deep-sky objects. Notable objects that were not visible in previous sessions: Deer lick Galaxy, Triangulum Galaxy and M74 (All possible photo targets, especially Triangulum). The sky was virtually crystal clear until 4:35AM - near-winter quality. Telescope had severe secondary mirror misalignment from day 1 and was functionning at 60% at best. Problem found only after the session. Fixed. Can't wait for next session!!
Rooftop session
2008.08.29
Montreal, Québec
Used the 70mm refractor since it was a one-man session. The 8" scope requires 2 people to carry to the roof. Waited for Orion to rise at the East in order to view its many nebulas. Surprisingly, under city skies, with a 70mm refractor, the view of M42 was impressive (M42 and its surroundings are all defenite photo targets)!
Rooftop session
2008.08.28
Montreal, Québec
Somewhat surprised by the efficiency of the telescope. Managed to view the Ring Nebula.
Testing session
2008.08.16
Bromont, Québec (TSC@BDO)
Practised precise align and other tracking features. Viewed the moon and a few deep sky objects. The full moon obstructed the view at least by 45%. The Milky Way was not visible.
First session at TSC@BDO
2008.08.09
Bromont, Québec (TSC@BDO)
Aligned telescope and shot for the stars right away. Managed to view a good range of objects from the Ring Nebula to M31, the Andromeda Galaxy (All possible photo targets). Session interrupted by excessive dew on everything and battery failure.
First session on rooftop
2008.08.02
Montreal, Québec
Aligned telescope. Viewed Jupiter. Could not locate any objects under such poor skies.
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