T02 -- What Might Have Been

[theskyhound]

I've been trying to use T02 since it arrived in Utah, but I haven't been getting anything. Given the current size of the comet it should look pretty good, and the color camera makes it a lot easier to get a nice color image. 

Tonight I had something like one and a half hours scheduled that I had more or less given up on. But I got an email saying that my session had been started successfully! I logged in to see what was going on and found the telescope disconnected.

It had been a bit since my reservation had started, but I didn't have any images to download nor were there any log files. But I did think to see if there was preview image on the system, and there was! This was the only evidence I could find of my reservation.

   

Oh what might have been...

[theskyhound]

Soon after, the entire observatory went off line, which made me feel bad for the people using the other scopes. It looked like it was a really great night.   

Then, I got an email saying that my support ticket regarding T02 had been received. I had not bothered them with a support ticket. I think they have enough on their plate already. Not sure what that's all about.

I am also imaging the comet with my DSLR tonight. I got the tripod and all set up. When I went back outside ten minutes later with my camera, it was snowing! New Mexico skies, down the road from me, is closed for snow, if that makes anyone feel any better.

Anyhow, a sad night.

I know I've given iTelescope a hard time lately. I'm don't want to be over negative. But it is what it is.  It just seems like everything with them is two steps forward and then two and 3/4 steps back. I really do wish them the best, however.

[Bobbo]

It is still a difficult object from mid southern latitudes. Using ST4 I was able to position the comet right on the camera sensor attached to a SVR90T Raptor. However, sidereal tracking just isn't good enough. So tomorrow I will try tracking on the comet itself using Horizons.