|
The EOA meets at COCO's restaurant at 14971 Holt Avenue,Tustin just
East of the 55 Freeway. You will usually find
the group in the back dining room seated at the corner booth
table for 8.
It is usually held the fourth Monday of the month, and
starts at 7:30 pm. Please check the calendar
for any schedule changes.
The OCA Electronics Oriented Astronomers (EOA) group needs
a few additional members to help complete the MOCAT (Multipurpose
OCA Telescope) automated telescope project. The goal of this
project is to provide a mid-size automated instrument for
local use from the comfort of the trailer at the Anza site.
Later, the MOCAT would be made available for remote use and
automated surveys when not being used by OCA astronomers at
the Anza site.
Note from JV Howell on February 2 2006
Hi all
The 12" LX200GPS telescope is now installed in the Mocat Observatory,
thanks to some help from a couple of football field astronomers named
Louwegi and Sam, and the 12" LX200 is now installed on the right side of
the south wall in the Kuhn Observatory, thanks to help from Craig, Don and
Barbara.
Both the computer and the monitor in the Mocat Observatory were
inoperable. The computer would not boot and the monitor's power switch
would not stay on. I have them both home now, the computer will still not
boot but the monitor is now usable since I have umpired the power switch,
one must unplug it now to shut it down.
So, we need to look for a replacement computer for the Mocat Observatory.
We need a 1.amahs P4 processor with 512Meg of RAM and some PICK slots. We
can still use the disk and CD drives from the old computer.
I was able to get the 12" LX200GPS operating with my notebook computer.
All went well including getting it synced with a star and getting the DISC
focused. It appeared to track well, at least when using the IF/3.3 focal
reducer. Pointing accuracy does not appear much better than the 12" LX200.
The GPS telescope (we don't use any of the GPS features) has a spiral
search feature which I tried with no success at all, it basically just
moved away from what I was trying to find. So, we need to do something
about getting TO-Point or it's equivalent from Meade. I think the is a
program that Meade sells so maybe Jim you could talk to your friend at
Meade and may they could make a donation.
I tried to do something with the DISC but about the time I was getting
going with it the clouds came over. I guess it got better later but by
that time I was gone. I think it would be a good idea to maybe get Alan
Small to spend some time with me in the Mocat Observatory to learn how to
properly use the DISC.
We continue to lose computers in the Mocat Observatory. There was no
indication of the presence of mice or rats or moisture, the new caulking
appears to be working. So what is our problem? Any ideas you all?
JV
Now the group needs a few new members to volunteer to complete
the testing and then installation at Anza . Once the
12" scope is installed in the dome, a number of additional
tasks will need to be completed in order to get the MOCAT
on line promptly. For example, we will need to install PCs
and software to drive the scope.
To sign up for the EOA e-mail distribution list for updates
on all future meetings, send an email to Del
and include your name, phone number, and any relevant
skills you may have.
Thanks!
Del Christiansen.
|
