ASTRONOMICAL IMAGING COURSE (Winter 2010)

Early Spring / Late Winter, I will be holding Workshops for those that wish to learn Astronomical Imaging.   The course will be held over a number of evenings and will take the participants from basics in astronomy step by step to the process of capturing and processing images of astronomical objects.  Included in the Course will be sessions in the observatory to obtain hands on experience with the equipment.  At the end of the course, you will also have an entire night in the observatory to your self (or with your partner) to put your new found skills to work and create your own work or works of art, or undertake your own scientific research.  Each of the students images will then be considered for inclusion in the annual Calendar or upcoming  Images from Thunder Bay Observatory book.

 If your Interested in signing up for one of the limited spots, contact me at Astrorandy (at) tbaytel.net

COURSE WILL COVER THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

• Astronomical Coordinate Systems

• Introduction to Telescope

• Overview to Astronomical Objects

• Overview of planning your imaging session

• Introduction to Observatory Operations

• Details on operating related imaging equipment (filters, focuser, guiding..etc)

• Detailed explainations of CCD technology

• Detailed explaination of the CCD imaging process

• Using Software for controlling equipment (Autostar, Maxim DL, Starry Night, Carte de Ceil)

• Details on capturing images using the equipment

• Details on processing your images after

HANDS ON PORTIONS OF THE COURSE WILL INCLUDE:

• Observatory startup and shutdown procedures

• Observatory operations

• Planning your imaging session

• Finding, centering and tracking objects

• Reaching optimal focus

• Manual vrs automated imaging

• Capturing Images

• Processing Images

INTRODUCTORY COST: $150 (only $25 more if you want to bring a partner)
Students are asked to bring a Laptop to continue learning between sessions, however, Computers will be provided for those that do not have a laptop.

Scheduling will be determined later to accomodate all the students.  Options include one evening a week for about 6 weeks, 3 Sundays or a compressed weekend Saturday and Sunday 8 hours each

HOW TO BOOK OBSERVATORY:

If you are interested in booking the Observatory for a group, please email the following to Astrorandy(at)tbaytel.net.  NOTE: Many voice messages have been automatically deleted by the system before I was able to retrieve them, sorry for the inconvience.

Primary Contact: Email, Phone Number
NAME OF GROUP:  (School, Guides, Scouts..etc)
SIZE OF GROUP:
AVERAGE AGE / AGE RANGE:

Type of Tour:  1) Slide show, Lecture & Observatory Tour 2) Telescope Only Tour 3) Snack, Slide Show and Tour

Preferred Date:  (I always suggest dates around the first 1/4 moon are best)
Alternative Date: (In case cloudy, or will you proceed with Tour and slide show..etc)

Forward the information to ASTRORANDY (at) tbaytel.net

Thank you

Randy

Latest Image From Observatory
M31 - Andromeda Galaxy

M33 - Pinwheel Galaxy Nov-2009  

STAY TUNED

Upcoming Theme Nights planned over the winter!

 Fall 2009 Update

LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY:  Welcome back 2nd year LU students.  Once again Thunder Bay Obsevatory will be providing access to the Observatory, Telescope and Imaging equipment to students attending the PHY 2410 "Observational Astronomy" class.  Students are currently forming groups, designing their research projects and will be soon booking sessions on the telescope.    Once the student schedules are booked, the Observatory will be accepting new bookings for Student tours, and adult groups.

Also this fall, a number of special evenings are planned for the Faculity of Education and local teachers.  Please stay tuned for programing and dates.

NOLALUECOCENTRE.ORG  Once again I will be presenting a nite with the stars, Backyards to black holes picture tour of the universe work shop.  Sep 26th.  See NolaluEcoCentre.org for booking your seat.

DIGGING FOR THE TRUTH.  Saturday Oct 24, I will be hosting a work shop on life in the universe, a blend of a scientific and conspiracy look at life out there...with a overview of the UFO phenomenon.

May 2009 News  

TBOB successfully hosted a couple of dinner parties in the last month. The feedback from the groups was very positive and this area of the operation seems to be growing as does the interest.

I hope to start construction of dedicated facility that will be used for hosting large groups for lectures and special catering events.  

The Lakehead University Observational Astronomy Course has now been approved.  Last years pilot project was a huge success and the feedback from all students and facility has been very positive.  Look for the course to run again this fall semester.

Partnership with the Nolalu Eco Centre continues to grow.  Look for expanded offerings this coming fall between the eco centre and TBOB.  New workshops and programming.

This fall TBOB plans to expand its Highschool and Public school offerings to better meet the needs of the education system.

TBOB is also in the process of working out partnerships with local hotels and shuttle services to give our out of town guest a easy method to access the observatory and more flexibility to sleep longer and check out later at the hotel.

As you can see...much activity is underway as usually !!!

We are close the the 4 weeks of no darkness...so stay tuned for the annual sky party in early august.

 Randy

UPDATE  March 2009

Sorry folks...I've been a bit preoccupied as of late.   I have recently started another house re-build project (#5) in order to fund some of my observatory expansion plans for 2009.  Plans include a 75 seat lecture theater / catering facility, a show room / studio and a second observatory for the LU students next semester.  I hope to finish the house project in a month or so and resume operations of the observatory in a bigger capacity shortly after.

Thank you all for you support, encouragement and invovlement in my on-going development of this facility. 

Stay tuned...

Randy McAllister
Director,
Thunder Bay Observatory

P.s. If you feel like hammering nails, stringing drywall ...drop me a line..

Over the last year I have been concentrating my efforts at the observatory on introduction and operation of a number of technologies in preparation for the Lakehead University's Physic's Operational Astronomy class. 

Now that the first pilot semester is successfully coming to a close, I plan to re-instate the TBOB NEWS LETTER.  If your interested in getting this publication...please send me an email with your email address.   Also you can create a member login account on this website and you will automatically be added to the distribution.   Your name can be removed at any time...and there is no fear that you will be spam'd  :)

Newsletters usually contain

• Dates of Public Viewing Nights 
• Updates on technology
• Changes at the observatory
• Things to watch for locally in the sky
• Other astronomy activities.

 Clear Skies...

Randy

Over the last 4 years I have been forming partnerships with Educational Facilities in and around the Thunder Bay Area.  Last year I partnered with Dr. Catalan at Lakehead University to pitch the Thunder Bay Observatory as a potential off-campus site for Lakehead University Students to learn hands on Astronomical Research.  This September the PHY-2410 elective was launched and it was more successful then anticipated.   Currently 20 students are learning hands on use of telescope and related astronomical equipment and conducting mini research projects.  So far feed back from students has been very positive.

SOCIAL THEME EVENINGS

Starting this Fall Thunder Bay Observatory will be hosting regular small group social evenings. (10-16 people)  Perfect for the individual looking to meet others with similar interest, or for couples or small groups looking for a different experience.   The Evening will include  cocktails and a variety of appetizers, a informative and visual introduction into astronomy with a focus on a particular subject, and then a hands on tour of the universe through the telescope.  So far themes on the list include:

• Life out there...UFO's, Extra Solar Planets, Seti..etc
• Astronomical Research...whats the scientific community up to?
• Space Travel . History and Future of
• Big Bang to Black Holes ...the violence in our universe
• The Scale of things!

If your interested in signing up for a Theme Night...let me know.

NOLALU ECO CENTRE - ASTRONOMY EDUCATION

Thunder Bay Observatory will once again be putting on educational talks at the Nolalu Eco Centre www.nolaluecocentre.org/ if your interested check the web site.  Next lecture scheduled for Sept 27th.

WELCOME LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY STUDENTS - USING THE OBSERVATORY   

Starting September 2008, Lakehead University will be hosting an new elective in the 2nd Year Physic program.. Observational Astronomy.   The practical portion of the class, the students research data collection will be taking place at the Thunder Bay Observatory.  This partnership has been a few years in the making .  Good luck to all the students...I look foward to working with you this semester.

 Randy

OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT - SUNDAY AUG 10, 2008

Forcasting clear skies...the meteor shower peaks in 24 hours put we can still expect a couple dozen fire balls an hour... Jupiter is up high enough to see until about 2 am.  The Moon will set about the same time and visitors can see a couple faint nebulas and galaxies.

Annual Kick-Off  coming Early August

Every year I shut down the observatory for maintenance during the "no darkness" time around the summer solstice (June 20th)  A few weeks later the darker skies start to return and by the Annual Perseid Meteor shower (Aug 11/12)

 So each year I host a public event at the observatory ...my kick off to a new year of dark skies...

 Stay tuned for more details...I suspect it will be the Aug 9th for working and the late night of August 11 / morning of the 12th for the true die hard fans.

 Please email me if you exect ot attend so I can gauge interest.  Thanks, see you then.

 Randy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

 Due to the growing interest in accessing the observatory,  I am now offering SIGN UP VIEWING nights.

Its your chance to come out and see one of the largest professional telescopes in Canada in operation.  On typical viewing night you can see with your naked eye.. 

• the rings of Saturn
• the storm bands and moons of jupiter
• the bright colors of Mars, Neptune or Uranus
• the dust regions of a nebula
• the spirals arms of distant galaxy. 
• the shape and size of many unusual nebulas

Also visiors can request to join me in an imaging or scientific data collection session and learn how to acquire and use astronomical data. 

How it works: 

• I will select a number of dates that are well suited of viewing (see below). 
•  If your interested in attending any of the nights, send me an email, and let me know how many will be attending and how likely your attendance will be.   ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it )
• Once I have enough confirmed visitors, I will then proceed.  And you will be notified by email.   
• All viewing nights start at sunset and run until about midnight.  Everyone is welcome to stay as long as they wish.
• There is a limited number of visitors that can be supported at a time, so sign up is first come first serve.
• If you need to cancel, please give me 24 hour notice
• Most viewing nights have a back-up night in case of clouds.
• Cancellations of viewing will be posted on this web site if weather or other reasons occur
• New dates are added regularly , check back.
• Donations of $5 per person, or $10 for a car load is asked to help support the facility.

Planned dates are as follows:

March 7/8  Cancelled, cold temperatures and not enough participants signed up
Dark sky nite...great nebula and galaxy viewing.  Saturn's rings and Mars will be up

March 12  Booked - private party

March 13 :  Young moon, great viewing of craters and can still see brighter nebulas.  Saturn's rings and Mars will be up

April 4/5 :  Dark sky nite...great nebula and galaxy viewing.  Saturn's rings and Mars will be up

May 2/3:   Dark sky nite...great nebula and galaxy viewing.  Saturn's rings and Mars will be up

More dates will be posted soon...

Thank you,

Randy