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South Physics Observatory
United States
Registrace 17. 04. 2020
One of our goals is helping the astro community reach theirs! We normally run and help with over 200 events every year and have now expanded online to help you from home. We are part of the University of Utah's Dept. Of Physics & Astronomy. The U has had a presence in astronomy inside Utah closing into 100 years with the first observatory built sometime in the 1920s. We continue that tradition. Our department also provides undergraduate and graduate level degrees in astrophysics and physics backed by world class research, professors, and staff. Stop by our observatory when you're in Utah and say hi! Public nights are normally Wednesdays every week throughout the year (except during covid-19 unfortunately).
Utah Aurora 2024
On May 10/11, the solar storms from days before reached Earth and gave Utah a spectacular auroral show like never before in memory. The video from May 10 spans 10pm to 4am, the video from May 11 spans 10:30pm to 11:30pm approximately.
Oops, I spelled Oklahoma wrong... Don't try finishing your edits when drowsy. lol
Taken with a Canon 90D, Canon 70D, Sigma 15-30 f/1.8 Art, and a Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 respectively. Exposures on May 11 were made of the Canon90D, 10s, f/1.8, ISO400; May 10, Canon 90D, 2s exposures f/1.8, ISO800 and Canon 70D, 8s exposures, f/4, ISO800.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/kite-flight/near-you License code: 3QAOUSWVKXGW6IQR
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/good-thing License code: OJYXWNVZJUEFHTQR
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: Q8HTNU4MPZNRBWHQ
Oops, I spelled Oklahoma wrong... Don't try finishing your edits when drowsy. lol
Taken with a Canon 90D, Canon 70D, Sigma 15-30 f/1.8 Art, and a Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 respectively. Exposures on May 11 were made of the Canon90D, 10s, f/1.8, ISO400; May 10, Canon 90D, 2s exposures f/1.8, ISO800 and Canon 70D, 8s exposures, f/4, ISO800.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/kite-flight/near-you License code: 3QAOUSWVKXGW6IQR
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/good-thing License code: OJYXWNVZJUEFHTQR
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/qube/play License code: Q8HTNU4MPZNRBWHQ
zhlédnutí: 253
Video
2023 Annular Eclipse
zhlédnutí 111Před 10 měsíci
From the western edge of Utah near Notch Peak, we witnessed the 2023 Annular Eclipse. These images were taken with a 102mm refractor, Baader solar film, and a Canon 90d. Music Credits: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/sunny License code: B1XHQRFMGSQ2QM43 uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: SX8XAVWK8SAWXPOR uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling...
Super Blue Moon Rise 2023
zhlédnutí 207Před rokem
If you missed the Super Blue Moon, chill with us and watch it here. Throw on some headphones and relax while looking for birds and bats crossing the Moon's face. Try to find the Lunar T-Rex or if you like it more as a bunny, look for it too. Pick out some of the Lunar Mare, craters like Tycho and its ejecta streaks, and all the other cool surface features. Taken with a Canon 90d, Meade APO/ED 1...
Aurora 2023, reprocess
zhlédnutí 62Před rokem
A reprocess to help show the aurora better. Taken April 2023 in Northern Utah. Music: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/dan-phillipson/making-progress License code: XBOFQNNGIDI9W2P0
2023 Utah Aurora
zhlédnutí 331Před rokem
Aurora erupted around the country and world after a CME from the sun was directed right at the Earth. Here's video of what I captured from northern Utah. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/dan-phillipson/making-progress License code: XBOFQNNGIDI9W2P0
Intensity Interferometry w/Dr. Nolan Matthews
zhlédnutí 171Před 2 lety
Here we talk about a novel way of using the VERITAS telescopes to provide new avenues of intensity interferometry and we also talk about what intensity interferometry is and what it can be used to see.
The Hunt For Planet 9
zhlédnutí 218Před 2 lety
Here we talk with Professor Ben Bromley on his work looking for the elusive Planet 9. We talk about the methods he uses and what could be out there.
Links - Humanity's connection to the night sky.
zhlédnutí 64Před 2 lety
Nearly a year built this 3:19 video... I didn't know we were going to stumble on this site but it showed us again, how important these kinds of sites are. If you visit Utah or surrounding areas, know to never disturb these places because we're still learning about what they knew. Help keep our vision of the night sky free from light pollution by properly lighting your home and pushing to keep o...
Perseid Meteor Shower 2021
zhlédnutí 188Před 3 lety
A short (several hours) video showing many bright (dim) meteors from the Perseid Meteor Shower at Jordanelle State Park. Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/torus/sanctuary License code: L9TZK5EACWOZGFP8
Astrophotography Part 3d: ISO, Gain and Grain-y Pics
zhlédnutí 190Před 3 lety
Here we talk about what ISO is, what gain, is and how they can provide better pictures with some negative aspects. We also talk about noise, dark frames, and bias signals. Also we briefly jump into the aspects of astro cameras vs. DSLRs.
Astrophotography Part 3c: Lenses
zhlédnutí 415Před 3 lety
In this video we talk about lenses, f-ratio, chromatic aberration, apochromatic lenses vs. achromatic, aperture, zoom, image circle, etc. and how it pertains to astrophotography and photography.
Astrophotography Part 3b: Sensors
zhlédnutí 231Před 3 lety
In Part 3b, we talk about the different sensors available for cameras. This includes talk about different sizes, what "crop factor" means, file sizes, file types, the benefits of different sensor sizes, field of view, and pixels.
Astrophotography Part 3: Photography as a Starting Point & Part 3a: Cameras
zhlédnutí 140Před 3 lety
This next series we'll talk about the differences, downfalls, and advantages of different cameras, lenses, and sensors. We'll also talk about details involved with the specs and types of each and how they can be beneficial in astrophotography. Daguerreotype images provided by Joe Baumann. Filming, editing, and photography: Paul Ricketts
Setting up a ZWO ASI6200MM Pro!
zhlédnutí 9KPřed 3 lety
We have a new camera for our observatory and decided to show you how it is set up. Clearly, as you'll see, it's not as straightforward as the quick guides make it seem. Sorry for the strange camera cut, it seems my 70D isn't as happy in it's old age.
The Axion Particle, with Dr. Luca Visinelli PhD
zhlédnutí 91Před 4 lety
The Axion Particle, with Dr. Luca Visinelli PhD
Astrophotography Part 2: Let's Talk Objects!
zhlédnutí 307Před 4 lety
Astrophotography Part 2: Let's Talk Objects!
Astrophotography Part 1e: Understanding Light Pollution
zhlédnutí 200Před 4 lety
Astrophotography Part 1e: Understanding Light Pollution
Astrophotography Part 1d: Understanding The Atmosphere
zhlédnutí 151Před 4 lety
Astrophotography Part 1d: Understanding The Atmosphere
Astrophotography Part 1c: Understanding Sky Coordinates
zhlédnutí 168Před 4 lety
Astrophotography Part 1c: Understanding Sky Coordinates
Astrophotography Part 1b: Understanding Sky Time
zhlédnutí 192Před 4 lety
Astrophotography Part 1b: Understanding Sky Time
Astrophotography Part 1a: Understanding the Sky
zhlédnutí 528Před 4 lety
Astrophotography Part 1a: Understanding the Sky
Backyard Astronomy Part 5 - Setting up a Losmandy G-11
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 4 lety
Backyard Astronomy Part 5 - Setting up a Losmandy G-11
Backyard Astronomy Part 4.2 - Using an EQ6-R Pro
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 4 lety
Backyard Astronomy Part 4.2 - Using an EQ6-R Pro
Backyard Astronomy Part 4.1 - Setting up a Skywatcher EQ6R-Pro
zhlédnutí 35KPřed 4 lety
Backyard Astronomy Part 4.1 - Setting up a Skywatcher EQ6R-Pro
Backyard Astronomy - Part 3.2 - Using a Skywatcher EQ35 - A GOTO German EQ
zhlédnutí 5KPřed 4 lety
Backyard Astronomy - Part 3.2 - Using a Skywatcher EQ35 - A GOTO German EQ
Backyard Astronomy - Part 3.1 Setting up a Skywatcher EQM35 -A GOTO German EQ
zhlédnutí 14KPřed 4 lety
Backyard Astronomy - Part 3.1 Setting up a Skywatcher EQM35 -A GOTO German EQ
Backyard Astronomy Part 2 - Setting Up a Basic German Equatorial
zhlédnutí 472Před 4 lety
Backyard Astronomy Part 2 - Setting Up a Basic German Equatorial
Oh boy, that’s a beast to put on that mount. And when you walked away from putting the weights on, you didn’t re-attach the toe saver …. Yikes, i do that right away.
Lol its more than 10 lbs under the weight limit and the weights are perfectly fine if you do things right ;)
What hard case is that?
SKB 2922-16 (22"x22"x16").
@@southphysicsobservatory6336 Thank you! And did you just cut a piece of foam out to fit your OTA and mount?
@@ImTheBhattman at first we just used the pluck foam that you can get with the case but after a lot of use, the foam fell apart as does most pluck foam unless you leave a lot of foam in between. We've now upgraded a lot of our cases to either softer high density polyurethane, custom cut foam (that we cut), or the harder custom cut polyethylene foam that we cut ourselves. These work much better since they don't fall apart.
As soon as that moon went down it hit hard! I have a vid on my channel from both nights as well. I was set up right next to Ben at the star party. My very first star party! Did not disappoint!
That wall of color in that pic was super cool!
Interesting., Didn't like the music, though. Too loud.
That's fine. I'm tired of the inspirational, ethereal, interstellar sounding music... To each their own.
I just bought a Skywatcher EQM35i. It won't be here until next Tuesday. I have a hand controller with my SkyWatcher AZ GTi, but never use it. Just subscribed.
Setting it up on a hard surface or adding some feet would help with sinking.
Isn't the level bubble on the mount usually off and best to level each tripod leg with spirit level ?
You said time zone - 7 the first time you did setup I believe
what is the brand and model of your mount/telescope case? great video BTW...
Hey, sorry for the delay... Here's a link to it. SKB www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1225114-REG/skb_3i_2922_16bc_iseries_waterproof_utility_case.html
If you have a 10" scope and this mount, finding a box a couple inches wider would be best. This fits these, but its so tight the foam gets mangled after a few years. There are other ways to deal with it but just so you're aware it could use some extra space.
Great video, This is the mount I am going to buy. Very easy to follow and understand.
Thanks a million for showing the camera/filter wheel connection in detail. You rule.
Nice video and setup. In your balance routine, it sure seems like your bearing nuts are a little too tight though. I had a similar issue with my Sky Watcher HEQ6-R pro mount. I loosened up the nuts just a tad whereas there was no slop and made all the difference in the world. Just the slightest bit of weight movement makes a difference in the overall balance. Just wanted to share that info with you. I know this video is over 2 years old now but hey.. I am always a day late and dollar short.
Thanks!
Wow. I wish I was home for that. Beautiful
Mind if I ask what case are you using?
Man, you're throwing your whole leveling off when sliding the scope on the bracket. Best to widen the saddle and place the scope on. I would also use a small level. Place it N to S and E to W. Level in each direction. A setup with that much weight is going to settle on grass throwing your leveling off. Might be best to place pavers under each foot, at least, to spread the weight out a little. If you're going to use the same spot in your yard to setup, maybe make a small cement pad.
Sliding the scope on vs putting it into a wider bracket makes no difference if you're not catching the bracket with much force to tip the tripod. I've tried both, no difference. Keeping the bracket closed and sliding it actually helps to steady the scope and keeps it from tipping out of the bracket sideways. It's much safer this way. Settling on the grass depends on the soil type and compaction. This didn't change. You can add pavers if you'd like. No biggie. The weight of the mount and counter weights do a lot to sink the feet initially anyway. Also, using a center, circular level does perfectly well to level so there's no need to waste time measuring the level in four directions.
Suddenly, all the Internet experts are spouting...
@@willisa123 Not suddenly. Two months ago. LMAO
I'd be worried about the legs sinking into that soft ground, throwing everything off.
Am sure that is not it's permanent home. Mine is on my lawn and never sank. I did consider the possibility in winter and I have a brick under each leg.
I have adopted the practice of not bothering to level the tripod and mount until after the mount, itself, has been added to the mass of the whole, and until after I have inadvertently shifted the tripod during the placement of the mount and drive atop the tripod....as our host above does near the 8 minute mark. My reasoning is that, assuming the tripod is safe to accept the mount's mass and balance, it will all shift as the tripod legs settle into the topsoil if one is in a back yard, on a lawn anywhere, in an open field, and so on ( a paved or concrete surface obviously doesn't apply). Just as the optics must acclimate for about 20 minutes, the tripod on soil will settle. One leg may settle on a rock early in the settling process, just below the surface, while the other legs will dip a bit further, even a few mm. That will draw the level bubble well out toward the edge of the level's window. Yes, a more massive whole is trickier to level now, but it must be done with care anyway if one learns that the tripod has gone off level during the mount placement.
Levelling pre scope, even pre mount, just helps towards the final levelling and not trying to hold up all that weight for to long as you go around adjusting each leg. Usually, once it's level with the scope on, it tends to be fine after that as long as your gear is all balanced.
Is there a problem (FAA) with using laser pointers near airports?
I think your answer is in your question - down to common sense really - then again, Voltaire said common sense is not no very common".
very good video! Do you think is that this mount would support about 6 kilos of my configuration for astrophotography? Thanks a lot! Keep it up!!
My setup is about 6.2kg with this mount, I'm new to astrophotography but I have no trouble with one minute exposures without guiding I could probably get 2 minutes but like I said I'm only learning
@@solidus784 Thank you!!!
24:50 43:25 49:45
You do a GREAT job teaching this. Thank you so much. Subscribed. One question please: you put in -7 for time zone, but you're in Utah. I'm in Oregon and web says I should be -7, but I'm in Pacific Zone and you're in Mountain Zone, right? Or do you put it different because it wasn't daylight savings time when you did this video? I thought your zone is hard wired, but you put in DLS as "yes." Do you put it on "no" when it's not DLS, or is "yes" just saying you want to use it and the handset adjusts? Thank you.
Hi, I always use -7 as the time zone for utah even when it's day light savings. My assumption is by putting in a "yes" or "no" for DLS that it accounts for that when you put your clock time in and uses the standard time zone as the general reference to subtract an hour or not. At least that's how I'd program it?haha Seems to work for me using this method.
Great info. Thank you. I just got one and this answered questions. Oh, what is the disaster if the vixen holder screws come off? I'll try not to, but just curious. Hey, I see your cat likes when you do astronomy too. It's kind of perfect for cats: human outdoors for hours at night, too busy to want much attention from the cat, but willing to give a scuffle when they rub on your leg.
If the screws come off with nothing on it, not much, the clamp will just fall off. If there is a scope in it, the scope falls off with them. Haha yes, my cat has made an appearance in most of my videos.
Excellent explanation
Nice rig, are u pushing the capacity to the limit having that extra counter weight on? U have 11lbs left after that lol?
It's close to the limit... Lol
Dude…
"For the younger crowd, a serial cable looks like this." 😆
Just Brilliant! Thank you so much. ZWO are not the best at producing User Instructions? I looked to find a step by step guide as to physically connect the ZWO cameras to the Filter wheel. None were found by me! Except your video! You explained it start to finish, without leaving any step out. I never realised that you have to dismantle the filter wheel to connect it flush to the camera? Thank you so much - it has saved me so much time and hassle. PS - I am a retired Electronics Technician from Liverpool, UK, with a new found Hobby! Also - may I suggest that anyone can wear a cheap COVID style mask to prevent moisture from contaminating the filters, and cotton gloves and making sure you prepare a clear working area. And maybe a magnetic screw driver for those tiny screws?
Just a suggestion is I always wear a mask when I have my filter wheel open. We all expel a lot of moisture in our breath and I want to keep it as dry as possible. Obviously blowing on the surfaces to remove dust isn't a great idea. Nice detailed video.
i thought I had everything correct. Like a moron, I didn't read the manual, just watched this. Then I realized I had it on backwards when I saw your the tube mount screws were on the left side...oof
You're not wrong... The mounts can really go on either side. The mount turns on assuming the starting position is "counter weight down, facing north". But I'm assuming you're talking about the big screws that sinch down the mounting plate.
Great tutorial. I'm ready to assemble mine now, but where did you get the screws to fasten the camera to the EFW? It looks like you picked them up from the EFW plate cover, but then IT would be short 4 screws. But you weren't short.
Hey, sorry for mising the question. hope you figured it out!
Do you have a link for the storage case you are using?
If you have this balanced with an eyepiece then align the SynScan, can you switch the eyepiece for a camera and rebalance WITHOUT losing the alignment of the SynScan? Or would I need to do the three star align again with the camera in place?
Unfortunately this scope doesn't have encoders that track the systems movements in case of it moving without the computer. So if you rebalance and move the scope at all, you'll have to realign it. What you could do is balance it with the camera on, switch to the eyepiece and try the alignment, the change back. It should work as long as your camera is crazy heavy compared to the eyepiece.
How did the EQM-35 handle the weight of the 8" SCT? I've been told it's borderline too heavy.
Works very well. We have two of these mounts. One even handles an 8" SCT and a 70mm Coronado double stack mounted on a dual dovetail. Although, that setup is just for visual and not astrophotos. The 8" SCT is a fair amount under the weight limit if just doing visual.
Thank you. I am doing astrophotography. I have a star adventurer for my lightweight kit, but just ordered one of these to mount my old C8. Hope it works well. I don't know what to expect yet, but this video and your comment gives me hope.
Be sure to get an extra counterweight. It should be good enough to do several minutes if you get it aligned and balanced really well. May be a little frustrating at first though.
@@astrophyz I noticed the video doesn't show a third counterweight. Is that necessary?
@@aaronmay6425 no, but the scope only comes with one I think. If not, then a second is needed.
Music way to loud
You should make a play list for this sequence of videos.
What case are you using to store the EQ6R mount head?
There is no search for Planet X. It's found. It always next to the sun. It rises with the sun and sets with the sun.
You're referring to the hypothetical nibiru. Not the same in form, hypothesis, or in evidence.
@@southphysicsobservatory6336 Its being captured by thousands of cell phones everyday. Its not hypothetical anymore. It’s also causing the sun to act up and send a lot of charged particles our way that’s affecting our weather and climate change and it’s only getting closer. All you need is an infrared filter to view it. Soon when it will cause a massive Magnetic pole reversal. The best time to see it is at sunrise and sunset. They are spraying chemtrail’s in the air to cover up the sun because it’s becoming more visible to the naked eye.
Please find planet 9 before I get too old
It's next to the sun. It's a small white dot next to our sun. That's where it's always at.
Some day! Lol
I love this video. Thanks! I have a question: what is the dial from 0 to 90 degrees next to the bubble level for?
That's for manually setting the mount to follow along RA (or HA) and DEC coordinates. Old school astro folks had to use this method since computers weren't widely available or cheap.
Wow! Your camera setup video is so much more thorough than anything else I have seen on the various CZcams channels. Most of them make a huge deal of pulling the goodies out of the box (the unboxing) and the next thing you know they are imaging. You get right into the nuts & bolts of actual setup. I was surprised at the number of hot pixels. I'm not in the market for this model but the ASI533 MC PRO and ASI 2600 MC PRO are definitely on my radar; as I progress from DSLR to dedicated astro cam. Thanks for posting.
Thanks! I want to show people how to do things, not just the end result. And I really dont care for unboxing, so boring. lol You'll like the asi2600, it has a great chip and chip size that is more compatible with more telescopes than a full frame like the 6200. You'll see much less vignetting and stretched stars. As for the hot pixels, you're not really seeing those in the image, just the digital noise that exists in all cameras. If you stretch your pixel values enough, they become much more apparent since you're seeing the difference in values of less than 100... which means any noise becomes very apparent. The ones you want to look for are any that are much much higher than the background average, which this doesn't really have initially. They can develop over time though.
Fabulous! If the Utah Astronomy Club has a talk about protecting the night sky in December, we should show this. Thank you for posting.
What site did you order your EQ6-R Pro?
If I remember right it was OPT.
Nice production well done.
Thanks!
thanks for the vid! great to see the process complete with frustrations and second attempts - well done. As a beginner looking to get a mount similar to this it was extremely useful to learn from your approach and techniques, and see that it will require a bit of trial and error and perseverance.
Hi! I’ve got a question, I want to buy this and the Sky-Watcher 200 P Quattro. Is this compatible and it will handle that scope? Thank you!
Hey! The 200P is at the limit of the mount's suggested capability. Visually you should be fine but adding anything for astrophotography may push it over the limit. That said, I consistently run several pounds over the limit while mounting a 70mm Coronado double stack and a C8 with all the dual mounting and it runs well. So it should be more than adequate with the 200P.
Hi; My EQ6-pro had a PS clockface where the 0 (12 o'clock) is crooked; it points at 7:00. I understand this is commonplace. And that SW maintains not a problem; just adjust RA to a cardinal point, then pretend it's 0 (or 12:00 hi). Then, use a building or flagpole for accuracy. But i go to a park with no buildings; and, I use a 90 diagonal (so i don't pretzel my neck), which further complicates it. Cloudy Nights posts have a method to adjust the clock face by loosening reticle screws & and turning the clock face to the correct position. Seems fairly straight forward ; but i'd like your input... go Utes.
Did it come with the tripod? I bought mine a few weeks ago and it won't be here until January. Almost 8 months from now. It shows one in the picture on optics planet where I bought it from. But I just wanna make sure for the 16 hundred bucks I spent it will have it with it. Thanks for the great information bud. I will be watching a few more times once it gets here.
Sorry I didn't get to your comment. I hope you got the mount with tripod. It comes with one for the price you mentioned.
@@southphysicsobservatory6336 yes I did. But we got it from FLO in a week and cancelled the order from OTP. But now I have other questions lol. Like why when I try to put in the lat-lon does it not show up as the same numbers as given by the app or map? Like if it says 26°68"26 on the app and I try to put that in. No matter what I do it shows up like this 266°82' and wont let me put any thing else in. And I know tyats not right. So should I just use the first few numbers?
is the meade lx85 5" scope compatible with this mount?