New halotype observed

Couple of days ago, there was dropped a very nice observation into Taivaanvahti -database. There was a set of images, showing a new previously unidentified type of halo. It was located approx in the middle of upper parts of 22 ring and lower part of CZA. Haloarc is curving slightly upwards. See Marko Mikkilä's observation details here:

http://www.taivaanvahti.fi/observations/show/15998

The name of halo is not known yet. Also the fact, what kind of crystals this halo would require, is still unsure. According to text, there is already a preliminary simulations done. Still there is no data available publicly. Hopefully we hear more of this, in near future...

Visit to Nuuksio

On the 9th March 2013, there was another trip to Nuuksio. We did photograph some nightsky timelapse - for the startrails image. Totally 36 images were taken, before my Nikon D200 jammed - due to low temperature.

Other activity this night, includes visual observing, with colleagues 25cm newton. For the solar system, we took look at Saturn. Most of other deep sky targets, were from the Messier catalog. The familiar M81/82 pair showed nicely. M101 was a bit more difficult then, it showed as faint large are smudge. I did not see the sprilar construction of this galaxy.

Returned to home, after two...three hours of observing. Thanks to Tomi for the car ride :-)

Sir Patrick Moore, R.I.P

From BBC news today...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20657939

ISS and Sun (10th Nov 2012)

Another alarm again, from CalSky service. This time ISS would have passed in front of Sun disk at Espoo / Finland, on 10th November 2012. Estimated time was approximately 12:33. I tried to follow, also this time - plans were not successful. Sky was full cloudy...

Nikon DSLR battery project, converter selection

Some background investigation is done now. Few samples from couple of DC/DC converter manufacturers, seems a good solution. One that I first noticed, was 75Watt series from Meanwell. Type MHB75-12S12 provides conversion from 4S LiPo cell voltage to constant output voltage. Most important spec are:

Half-brick size (2.28" 2.4" 0.5")
2:1 wide input range
Protections: Short circuit / Over current / Over voltage / Over temperature
High efficiency up to 89%
Built-in remote ON/OFF control
Built-in remote sense
Trimming output 10%
Five-sided shield metal case

For more detailed information, check MHB75-12S12 specs here. This type of converter, is in sale at Elfa Distrelec.

Images from Utö, Messier 27

Another image from trip to Utö... This time one planetary nebula (Messier 27), as wide angle image. It is visible in image upper left corner, as green dot. Difficult imaging indeed, conditions were windy and I had to struggle keeping my tripod on the ground. Image taken with Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S G 50mm, at f/1.4, single 8s exposure at ISO2500. Unfortunately sensor produces lot of noise :-(

Nikon DSLR battery project, converter specs

This battery project, requires some additional electronics. Main purpose is to keep output voltage stable as the input voltage changes (depending on the amount of 4S LiPo cell discharge level).

There is many options and manufactures to look at... First I will check what local stores (like YE, Partco and Elfa) are selling. I will make later decisions, what voltage converter to use. Because of efficiency requirements, converter module based on the linear technology, is not an option here...

requirements:

-typical input voltage 14.8…16.8V DC

-output voltage 12...13.5V DC

-output current 6A continuous

-efficiency bigger than 80%

-input low voltage cut-off @ 14V => 4*3.5V for 4S LiPo

-output short circuit protected

-preferred as PCB model

-small size recommended

-small heatsink usage - ok