Three Rivers Observatory

Contact Me

I am happy to answer any questions about equipment or technique at knstars@aol.com

Dome Power

The electrical problem I faced in the beginning was frustrating. When building the dome I contacted the electric company and was unable to get them to give me a downlink for an electrical hookup. The solar power was a neighbors idea. It was a wonderful solution. I have all of the power I need for all of my equipment with plenty to spare. When the electricity is down in the mountains I can always go up to the dome where computers and equipment is usable.

The Nikon Difference

I love imaging with my Nikon f2.8 180 mm lens. I will be posting images from that lens. Super wide field with pinpoint stars. I was also able to buy this lens for under $200. It had some dents but the optics were fine.

Software Bisque Paramount

I found that my two Meade scopes would not carry the Canon 400mm f2.8 lens that I hoped to image with. I could get the scope to carry it with some Mickie Mouse weights and by slewing to the object first and then loading up the lens. It just would not slew. This situation prompted me to purchase a Software Bisque Paramount. I get better pointing accuracy and much better tracking. It will carry most of the weight I need. I now have a C14 and a Takahashi mounted on it. I am able to track even with that heavy load.

Sun Spots?

My most interesting project was Solar images. In imaging sunspots I found that the spots did not photograph as depressions but rather as fountains of hot gas. This was brought out by processing. None of the magazines would accept my conclusions, but several astrophysicists were really impressed with the images. I will be posting that material in the near future.

The Moon

I have done a lot of Lunar and Planetary imaging. Lunar imaging for a book on the moon. I probably learned more about the Moon than I wanted to. Planetary imaging from my site is difficult because of the air currents in the valley location of the dome. I have done some better than average imaging with a Meade 416.

		Contact Me I am happy to answer any questions about equipment or technique at knstars@aol.com Dome Power The electrical problem I faced in the beginning was frustrating. When building the dome I contacted the electric company and was unable to get them to give me a downlink for an electrical hookup. The solar power was a neighbors idea. It was a wonderful solution. I have all of the power I need for all of my equipment with plenty to spare. When the electricity is down in the mountains I can always go up to the dome where computers and equipment is usable. The Nikon Difference I love imaging with my Nikon f2.8 180 mm lens. I will be posting images from that lens. Super wide field with pinpoint stars. I was also able to buy this lens for under $200. It had some dents but the optics were fine. Software Bisque Paramount I found that my two Meade scopes would not carry the Canon 400mm f2.8 lens that I hoped to image with. I could get the scope to carry it with some Mickie Mouse weights and by slewing to the object first and then loading up the lens. It just would not slew. This situation prompted me to purchase a Software Bisque Paramount. I get better pointing accuracy and much better tracking. It will carry most of the weight I need. I now have a C14 and a Takahashi mounted on it. I am able to track even with that heavy load. Sun Spots? My most interesting project was Solar images. In imaging sunspots I found that the spots did not photograph as depressions but rather as fountains of hot gas. This was brought out by processing. None of the magazines would accept my conclusions, but several astrophysicists were really impressed with the images. I will be posting that material in the near future. The Moon I have done a lot of Lunar and Planetary imaging. Lunar imaging for a book on the moon. I probably learned more about the Moon than I wanted to. Planetary imaging from my site is difficult because of the air currents in the valley location of the dome. I have done some better than average imaging with a Meade 416.