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Shevill Mathers
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25.01.2022 In Tasmania we have a predicted 40 degree plus day forecast-we can only prepare for it best we can in our fire prone areas.
25.01.2022 My involvement with the Astronomical Society of Tasmania Inc. (AST) began upon my arrival from the UK in April 1968. I was appointed a foundation staff member (Department Pathology & Microbiology) in the newly established University of Tasmania Clinical School-building (still under construction at that time). Prior to leaving the UK I had received correspondence from Dr Michael Waterworth at UTAS, with an offer to house my telescopes at the same location as their 16" tele...scope on Mt Rumney as it was then called. Upon my arrival in Hobart, I was invited by the late Colin Bisdee, with whom I had also had communications with prior to leaving the UK, inviting me to become a member of the Astronomical Society of Tasmania. Over the succeeding 45 years or so, I had the honour to be its President twice and Editor of The Bulletin- the society's newsletter and produced an A5 32- page newsletter with a glossy colour printed binder including the AST Logo on the front face, with history and aims of the society on the inside front and rear covers. The new 'Bulletin' replaced the photocopied A4 typed stapled pages as we moved into the age of digital printing and photo scanning etc. a big step forward in the AST newsletter production. ''The Bulletin", which I wrote, edited and published for many years, and as many editors know, a very demanding. task. During my time in office, I also had the pleasure of introducing several new initiatives, wider public outreach and closer interaction with the UTAS astronomy department, which benefited the AST in many ways since its move to Mt Canopus in 2000 and to present day. * Note* Images not in chronological order- Although not a current financial member, I am still the oldest AST member ( according to its constitution as I have never resigned in writing to the Hon Sec.-also its oldest member in chronological age . Please note-All images are copyright and for any use, permission must be obtained from Shevill Mathers-email: shevillm at gmail dot com. See more
25.01.2022 Photographed with iPhone 6S, Solar Halo observed for at least an hour from Cambridge Tasmania 42 South. in Cambridge, Tasmania, Australia. Details with each image. https://goo.gl/photos/VxmC2ZUvonWQSKYZA Sun halos are generally considered rare and are formed by hexagonal ice crystals refracting light in the sky 22 degrees from the sun. This is also commonly called a 22 degree halo. The prism effect is such that the rainbow colors go from red on the inside to violet... on the outside. Must read: 22 Degree Halos Explained With Diagrams! A change in cloud types the following day was also interesting as they are the indication of strong winds to follow..
24.01.2022 Had a walk through various parts of the garden recently and took a few shots of various flowering plants.
23.01.2022 What a magnificent way to celebrate 100 years of the Royal Air Force Medical Branch. Our College of Arms receives Royal Assent-August 2018. Very special to have our own lapel pin.
20.01.2022 This may be of interest to some astro imagers using astro cameras with camera lenses using the Canon EOS protocol/adapter interface. I am looking at this to use... with some of my various ZWO and Panasonic astro cameras with a wide selection of EOS fitting lenses: https://astromechanics.org/ Tube clip;. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T31W5-wqUUs See more
19.01.2022 Recently replaced my original black EQ6 mount purchased at least 10 years ago, with the new EQ6-R Pro with the belt drive system. It is a much heavier and more solid construction, which responds well to Syn-Scan Pro WiFi using my iPhone and Apple iPad . the Syn-Scan Bluetooth dongle replaces the handset and has a wide range of features. By using my iPhone or iPad, time and date are provided by the inbuilt GPS receiver. I can then use it with Sky Safari Pro,-all from indoors i...f I want, once I have opened the observatory or the roll off cover for the 10" Meade f/4 SN outside the main dome, which can access any part of the sky. I will be using a range of ZWO ASI cameras and accessories including their new ASIair unit to drive the scope & mount and ZWO ASI cameras, both guiding and main camera imaging. It can do the lot including plate solving and polar aligning and auto-guiding. See more
19.01.2022 https://cdn.newsapi.com.au//66eb08c7ca88c31fa48a228cb138cf
17.01.2022 A little processing will bring out those various colours, which I observed and recorded many years ago when using a very expensive scientific Sony video camera mounted on my 12" Newtonian. I subsequently photographed the gibbous Moon on a good night with a Nikon D300 DSLR (about 10 years ago) and a Takahashi Apochromatic refractor.
14.01.2022 My association with the University of Tasmania Observatory site began upon my arrival from the UK in April 1968. I was a foundation staff member (Department Pathology & Microbiology) in the new University of Tasmania Clinical School-(still under construction at that time). Prior to leaving the UK I had received correspondence from Dr Michael Waterworth at UTAS, with an offer to house my telescopes at the same location as their 16" telescope on Mt Rumney as it was then call...ed. Upon my arrival in Hobart, I was invited by the late Colin Bisdee, with whom I had also had communications with prior to leaving the UK, inviting me to become a member of the Astronomical Society of Tasmania. During my time in office, I also had the pleasure of introducing several new initiatives, wider public outreach and closer interaction with the UTAS astronomy department, which benefited the AST in many ways since its move to Mt Canopus in 2000 and to the present day. In 2009 the University at the recommendation of head of School, Professor John Dickey, appointed me an Honorary Research Associate in recognition of my contribution to astronomical outreach, research with other members of staff at Mt Canopus, lectures, talks and displays at many major events around the State over almost 50 years. All images are copyright and are not to be used without permission from: Shevill Mathers-contact shevillm at gmail dot com. See more
09.01.2022 To all my Royal Air Force Medical colleagues - I extend my thoughts to those who have served, those still serving and remember those who gave all in times of great need.
09.01.2022 The longest Total Lunar Eclipse in the 21st century. Here are some images of the Total Lunar Eclipse from my location in southern Tasmania 42 south. Not very good seeing conditions-poor image quality as a result. Nikon D5100 with a Nikkor zoom lens 80-200 f/2.8 Plus Nikkor 2X Tele-extender=EFL 400 mm.,(I would normally used one of my telescopes which fills the entire field with the object)) Mounted on a Sky Watcher Adventurer unit, this was its first use, despite having it un...used for about 2.5 years!!. It worked very well and I was able to go indoors, get a hot drink and warm-up. This ended up as plan B normally when strong winds made it unwise to open either of my observatories-where everything is set up. My 400 mm EFL was really not optimum, however, using a telescope may not have been much better given the poor seeing conditions. Added a Mars & Moon image to show the relative naked eye view of both objects in the sky at the same time, it may help the Flat Earth and Mars is a large as the Moon, myth memes we see posted. See more
08.01.2022 The ever present smog haze even on 'clear' days.
07.01.2022 Much like Laurie Priest, Martin Ritchie has been and still is one of my long time friends with many talents and skills. He has, over the years helped me with observatory building-two of them still in full operation, Martin has a different skill set, and like Laurie, has always been there when help was needed , not only with astronomical projects but domestic ones as well. If I only ever have these two guys as friends, I would still be very happy. We will see more about these two unique gentlemen as this series progresses.
07.01.2022 Here are some images of the Total Lunar Eclipse from my location in southern Tasmania 42 south. Not very good seeing conditions-poor image quality as a result. Nikon D5100 with a Nikkor zoom lens 80-200 f/2.8 Plus Nikkor 2X Tele-extender=EFL 400 mm.,(I would normally used one of my telescopes which fills the entire field with the object)) Mounted on a Sky Watcher Adventurer unit, this was its first use, despite having it unused for about 2.5 years!!. It worked very well and I... was able to go indoors, get a hot drink and warm-up. This ended up as plan B normally when strong winds made it unwise to open either of my observatories-where everything is set up. My 400 mm EFL was really not optimum, however, using a telescope may not have been much better given the poor seeing conditions. Added a Mars & Moon image to show the relative naked eye view of both objects in the sky at the same time, it may help the Flat Earth and Mars is a large as the Moon, myth memes we see posted. See more
06.01.2022 Just a few random pics of various plants-trees in flower etc.
04.01.2022 I have to personally thank my long time friend and fellow astronomer, Laurie Priest, for his unflagging help and support, both with my observatory buildings and astronomy outreach talks, displays, open days, open nights, National Science Week activities, the list is long- for a many, many years. He was especially supportive during my second tenure as President of the Astronomical Society of Tasmania Inc. and Editor and writer of the new A5 35-page 'Newsletter" I produced over 5 or more years. It was a lot of work to sit down address and mail out the 'Bulletin" as it was called. He was my key help when we established the AST buildings and telescopes at Mt Canopus back in 200. Without a doubt, a stand-out man in so many ways, Thank you, Laurie. I will find a suitable image of you to add in due course.-so many to choose from, my friend. M
02.01.2022 I would not want to be in the way of this storm
