Tim Haymes beside an 8" LXD55 8SN before the 30cm F/4 arrived.
EQ6 pro mount
 3m plywood observatory
dome completed in 1992
Photometry of the Elektra Occultation. (LIMOVIE)
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Astronomical
interests are geared to Asteroid Occultations and extra galactic SNe
patrols.
The
working instrument is a 30cm F/4 Orion Optics Newtonian mounted on a
Synta EQ6, which is controlled by EQMOD
(ASCOM) and SkyMapPro. It
is not remote controlled, so I spend several hours at a time in the
observatory where I can also listen to nocturnal wildlife. There is
a badger set nearby. I also enjoy
deep sky, planetary and comet observing/imaging. Some of my images can
be seen in the Maidenhead AS web
album. Thanks for looking !
In 2001, I sold my 1970's equipment and upgraded to a computer controlled
GOTO mount (EQ6) to support a fast (F/4) short focus instruments. There
is some additional equipment for timing asteroid
occultations, a GPS time inserter and DV camcorder.
I joined the Asteroids and Remote Planets Section of the BAA (ARPS)
in about 2005 and I recorded a +ve asteroid occultation - 130 Elektra
- on 2010 Feb 20 (10.7s duration) after having observed them on-and-off
for about 30 years. (I have heard similar stories from other observers
!). This was followed by two other successes.
I have contributed to other BAA sections: photometric measurements of
the black-hole candidate
OJ287, intensified video records of meteor
showers (1996-1999), aurora observations in March 1989. and the
Lunar Occultation from 1973 - 1995.
Born early Fifties, I lived in
Ealing until 1967. My father was a Sperry compass engineer.
Bought the Observers Book of Astronomy (PA Moore). Read it
back to back three times.
Dad bought me a Dollond 1 1/8 " refractor for star gazing. I looked
at the Moon and planets.
Parents moved to Maidenhead in 1968 and I joined the local Astronomy
Group there.
Met Peter Lancaster-Brown (a member at
the time) - He suggested I made a reflector.
I built a 6" F/8 Newtonian out of scrap wood and a car axle. Optics
from AE (Luton).
Joined SPA (then JAS) Solar and Lunar Occultation sections.
1969-Timed
first Lunar Occultation, that of Lambda Cap on 1969 Dec13 at 1814 Hrs
1972-Formed a team for the graze of 20
Tau on Mar 19 near Chinnor (Oxon) - It was a miss
(The RGO sent an apology. The star positron was in error. Our
enthusiasm were not dampened)
1973-Monte-Umbe Eclipse Cruise where Henry
Hatfield asked me to joined the BAA.
1974-First successful Lunar Graze: 37 Sgr,
Oct 21 near Petworth Sussex (Single station)
1978-Obtained cine film of an Aldebaran
graze occulation in Scotland (A fading event)
1980-First observation of a predicted asteroid
occultation (48 Doris, 1980 Jan 04). A miss.
1985-Met Andrew Elliott.
I owe much to his enthusiasm for occultations,
computing and electronics, and later in the use of images intensifiers
and sensitive security cameras.
1989-Observed/recorded the occultation
of 28 Sagittarii by Titan on 1989 July 3/4
1992-Built
an observatory for an 8" F/6 Newtonian.
1996-9. Part of the BAA Meteor triangulation
team using image intensified video. Was
fortunate to see the Leonid fireball display 1998 Nov 17 0000-0300 Hrs
2010- Recorded four
positive asteroid occultations by video, (130)Elektra on Feb20, (532)Herculina
on Mar01, (80)Sappho on Jun05, and (213)Lilaea on Oct31.
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