Cyclops | Observatory                   |  MPC code: B84

Observatory

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cyclops200808_7
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201008Klara2Betsy2web
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201008_control_room2_web
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201008_2XASA
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All-Sky

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overview
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14" convex mirror
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The tripod construction had to be robust in order to cope with occasionally strong winds at the Oostkapelle location.
Both mirror and camera lens are heated to prevent dewing.

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Digital camera
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A Canon EOS 350D DSLR camera is mounted faced down at a distance of about 90 centimetres above the 14" convex mirror.
The camera lens has a focal length of 45 mm, the diaphragm used is depending on the specific observing conditions and moonlight. A typical session under good conditions : 200 sec. ISO 800, F4.5
In front of the cameralens an accurate rotating shutter is operating at 8,33 breaks per second.

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Timer controller
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If not connected directly to the computer, the camera is operated via a programmable timer controller.
This Canon TC-80N3 was modified by Hutech for use on the EOS 350D

Video observations

In december 2008 we started contributing regular video observations to the IMO Video Network. The intensified systems are connected with a computer who runs the meteor recognition software, MetRec, written by Sirko Molau.

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