QUB Teaching Observatory
As part of the Mathematics and Physics Refurbishment, we have built, commissioned and operate a small observatory on the roof of the Physics Building for the use of undergraduate astrophysics teaching. Initially this is being used for Level 4 MSci Projects, plus general viewing by students upon invitation.
The observatory houses a 14-inch (0.35m) Meade ACF LX850 on a fixed Altair Astro pier. The telescope can be used visually or with a camera. We have an
ATIK One 6.0 CCD camera, and ZWO ASI1600MC-C and ZWO ASI120MM CMOS cameras. The dome is a Pulsar Observatories 2.7m full height dome. During the night all observations can be carried out at an observing desk within ARC. Software control is via The Sky X Pro for the mount/dome and Maxim DL for image/data acquisition.
In addition, we have two portable Meade LS-6 ACF telescopes for use with Level 3 MSc Projects plus public events.
 | Telescope in Dome after first installation, September 2017. |
 | Dome at night on 5 October 2017. Lights in the background are from Windsor Park Stadium where Northern Ireland have just scored a memorable goal against Germany. |
 | Observing Desk Screens, showing daytime imaging of Venus. |
 | First light on 21 September 2017 - Globular Cluster M15. |
 | Crab Nebula on 11 February 2018. A bit over-processed but we're still learning. |
 | Whirlpool Galaxy M51 on 19 March 2018. |
 | Supernova SN2018zd in NGC2146 on 30 April 2018 (V~14.5). |
 | The Ring Nebula on 28 May 2018. The central exposed white dwarf has V=15.2. |
 | Globular Cluster M13 on 28 May 2018. |
 | Venus in the daytime on 7 June 2018, diameter 13 arcsec. UV filter 320-380nm. |
 | Venus in the daytime on 21 June 2018, diameter 15 arcsec. 7nm H-alpha filter. |
 | NEO (65733) 1993 PC imaged on 15 October 2018 by final year students Grace Foster and Zuri Gray. Combining 10x60 second exposures in the luminosity filter allows detection of g=18.5 stars. |
 | The Moon imaged on 17 January 2019 - mucking about through cloud. Mare Imbrium, the Alpine Valley and various craters including Plato, Copernicus, Kepler |
 | Spiral Galaxy M106 imaged on 19 April 2019 while testing an Andor Marana Camera for the company |