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Post by stewartw on Oct 24, 2014 9:45:04 GMT
Interesting discussion at groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/meteorobs/conversations/topics/43790Essentially it talks about the potential for an outburst of the Phoenicids between 23:00 on 01st and 01:00 on the 02nd December. The radiant is given as Declination -57 and hence not observable from the UK but it is suggested that ZA will bring this up to Declination -27 which would allow it to creep up and over our southern horizon. Bill - have you booked clear skies for that night? Best regards William
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Post by leolion on Oct 24, 2014 10:56:47 GMT
Some mention of observation from the Canaries in the discussion so a trip there or North Africa could 'warm up' the winter. Bill does manage the odd trip 'daan saarf'
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Post by BillW on Oct 24, 2014 13:40:06 GMT
I think I saw that somewhere else too, but haven't put my clear sky request it yet....
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Post by BillW on Oct 24, 2014 14:38:56 GMT
However.... MegaSpec is nearing completion. A few more holes to drill and tap to carry the camera and it'll be time to test it out. Attachments:
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Post by stewartw on Oct 24, 2014 17:33:23 GMT
Wow! That's going to hurt if you drop it on your toe in the middle of the night!
How are you handling the dew issue? Blowing warm air on to it or heating from the sides / read?
Best regards
William
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Post by stewartw on Oct 24, 2014 17:33:54 GMT
sides / rear?
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Post by BillW on Oct 24, 2014 22:04:18 GMT
The actual first iteration will be with muh smaller atik camera to check out such things. I have recently purchased a reel of nichrome wire from ebay. This will be insulated by heat shrink and wound around the various bits for that purpose. I've made two test loops which are now keeping two of the watecs and their gratings toasty.
At around 7kg+ it will be on a telescope mount and (hopefully) not even touched through the night. It's size does however preclude regular use. It'll only be used during showers. That's the plan....
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