FIRST Robotics Season 2010 Begins
Posted on January 11th, 2010
The 2010 FIRST Robotics Season has finally begun. The students and mentors from Flowing Wells High School are pleased with this year’s game challenge. The game consists of six robots competing in an arena with four “speed humps”, two low clearance spots, and goals to score from. In the end game, robots that can “lift” themselves off the competition floor recieve extra points. If one of the robots is suspended on another and not in contact with the field, extra points can be scored. This game is going to be challenging. The kicker is that the robot has to weigh less than 120 pounds.
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Taking Pictures through the Galileoscope
Posted on July 17th, 2009
The Galileoscope is a great telescope for the price of $20. I discovered this when comparing it to an $800 Celestron. The images of the moon were of decent quality. Through this course, I have worked on taking pictures through the Galileoscope. A comparison of images will be uploaded soon. I focused on many different objects and used a variety of cameras. I would have to say that the smaller digital point and shoot cameras work very well.
The basics when using the Galileoscope:
- Use a sturdy tripod that can extend relatively high.
- Red LED light is useful for setting the telescope up at night.
- Practice and learn how to use the sights.
- Use low power eyepiece for 25x Magnification
- Focus Telescope on Object: Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, etc.
- Hold camera perpendicular to eyepiece
- Move camera back and forth slowly until optimum image is found, or…
- Move eyepiece in and out of focus until image is found on camera lcd.
- Try to stabilize camera at this location, snap the picture.
- Eye relief of 16mm, this is the approximate distance you can play with to get a good image.
Using a Point N Shoot Camera
- Turn off autofocus
- Turn off flash
- Turn off autoexposure
- White Balance: Daylight
- Mount Camera to Scope
- Get image in focus
- Take test exposures
- Use manual exposure
- Take 10, 20, etc shots
- Use Photoshop or Registax to choose best frames.
This is a quick list of steps to help one get started in taking good pictures through the scope. A cheat sheet has been developed and will soon be released that includes more information on various imaging techniques and software techniques. I would recommend experimenting with pictures of distant objects when there is light before trying to get a good image of the night sky. Also, Camera’s that enable some sort of video (hopefully .AVI) are recommended and would be the best way to capture the moon. When I experimented with the video mode on my camera, I got several frames that were in focus and correctly exposed, and I could also snap pictures during the video to get a single frame on its own. When I compared this to the other still shots, I was blown away by the difference… This is something that has to do with the camera settings or photography in general. I’m very curious and will find out why this happened. Pictures and Video will be posted shortly.
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Galileoscope Astrophotography
Posted on July 10th, 2009
I’m currently taking an independent study course at UA on Astrophotography. I’m required to make several blog posts and keep a log of observations. The goal here is to learn good photography techniques with cheap technology. The class is to help my professor, Dr. Pompea, in his goal to enable young scientists to make observations through the Galileoscope. We are hoping to release a report describing which camera’s will work with the Galileoscope and some practical advice for novice astronomers. I am also working on a concept to make a mechanical mount for the Galileoscope that can be purchased from a local hard ware store for under $10.
For more information on the Galileoscope, please visit the links below:
http://www.noao.edu/iya-noao.php
Filed under Astronomy, Hobbies, Optics, Research, Writing | 1 Comment »