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Contact information
e-mail
kevsmith@globalnet.co.uk
.
websites
http://www.kevsmith.com
http://
www.siriusobservatoriesuk.com
.
Locator
Map
http://www.frappr.com/apppublic
Level of accuracy:
town of Woodford, England
Biography
I have
been interested in astronomy since my early school days. Initial curiosity
was heightened with the manned space flights of the sixties which I
followed with great interest. Afterwards, as I grew older I bought a small
60mm refractor from Dixons which though appalling did give me a chance to
try a little astronomy. I became an active member of the Leicester
Astronomical Society at the age of 15, and had access to larger
instruments, and some assistance to forward my hobby.
As time
progressed my interests changed from astronomy to beer, women, music & motorcycles.
However, astronomy
never left me. I spent many a festival lying on my back thinking: "I
really ought to do a little more astronomy sometime". I eventually
got a small house and decided after initial years of hardship to purchase
my first reflecting telescope -- a Meade 10" LX200.
I am area sales
manager and training officer for MetPrep Ltd -- a supplier of
metallographic consumables equipment and image capture & analysis systems. I
was
married and then divorced. Since then I have built an observatory
and channeled my energies into things that I like doing: solar astronomy
and deep sky imaging. I am a member of the SPA, BAA (British Astronomical
Association), NNHS astronomy section, Guildford Astronomical Society, and
Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS). My other interests
include photography for which I obtained my AIS, rocks & minerals (FRPS),
beer, microscopy, Hawkwind (cult band), cheese, ancient sites, Egyptology, hi-fi, and
my dog Sandy.
Astronomy Tales
No major tales, but have survived various
storms, fallen over many a guide rope, split
my skull open on counterweight shafts and the usual traumas.
I have
experienced most of the
pit falls of the careless astronomer in the field and still go back for
more.
Areas of astrophotography interest
Solar astronomy and deep sky imaging
Astrophotography publications
BAA
Journal, The Society for Popular Astronomy, Genesis 2 the search for the
truth
continues - Dr Les Howarth, The Sky & Night
Have had several images on the television.
Observing sites
Home
site
The Sirius Home Dome Observatory
x
Remote site
Local Star Parties such as The Equinox Star Party on East Anglia.
Visual magnitude variable, weather very variable.
Astronomical Equipment
Telescopes
Telescopes include RCOS 12.5" Truss tube RC with instrument rotator & TCC,
a Takahashi FS128, and Takahashi FCT 76 all mounted on a Paramount ME
mount.
CCD/Cameras
SBIG ST10E with USB upgrade and True Technology filter wheel for
deep sky.
A Basler A101firewire camera for Solar & Lunar imaging using
Aquinto A4I
Docu software.
I also have a TouCam.
Software
The SKY 6, Adobe Photoshop,
CCD Soft, Registax and A4I Docu software
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