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IN-DEPTH HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS
Four in-depth, hands-on workshops will be conducted on Thursday. Each workshop will be three hours in length and limited to 40 people each. Since laptop computers will be required for most workshops, please read the workshop descriptions carefully to determine if you meet the prerequisites for the workshop. If you wish to participate in a workshop, you must register and pay a $20 workshop fee for each workshop, in advance.
Imaging with MaxIm DSLR Workshop,
Doug George, Diffraction Limited,
Main Tent, Thursday 10:00 - 1:00.
Doug is President of Diffraction Limited, an Ottawa-based company that produces astronomical imaging products including MaxIm DL and MaxDSLR. In addition to enjoying astrophotography and observing occultations, Doug enjoys participating in patrol programs. He has co-discovered one comet visually, and co-discovered 12 supernovae as a member of the Puckett Observatory Supernova Search team.
Doug will introduce MaxDSLR and demonstrate some of the capabilities of the software. Participants will then have the opportunity to work hands-on with a trial version of the software, learning how to process images from DSLR cameras. Participants are welcome to bring their own images.
Starry Night Pro for Today's Observer,
Pedro Braganca and Herb Koller, Imaginova,
Small Tent, Thursday 10:00 - 1:00.
Starry Night Pro 5.8 is a powerful tool for observers and imagers. In this workshop, you will learn how to use Starry Night for observation - planning and logging, charting, simulation and wireless telescope control. Starry Night ensures your observing sessions are fun and productive.
A trial version of Starry Night Pro 5.8 will be provided to workshop attendees. Full version copies can be purchased at a substantial discount. To run Starry Night Pro 5.8 you will need:
- Windows: Windows XP with all the latest updates, a 32 MB Video Card, 1.5 GB of hard disk space and a 500 MHz or higher processor.
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Mac: OS 10.3.9 or higher, a 32 MB video card, 1.5 GB of hard drive space and a G3 500 Mhz processor or higher.
Note: Ensure you are running all the latest updates for your operating system, including the latest software driver for your video card.
Advanced Photoshop - Masking and Compositing,
Scott Ireland,
Main Tent, Thursday 2:00 - 5:00.
What makes Photoshop the world's premiere image editing tool? Without a doubt, it is the vertical structure added to image processing through the use of layers and masks. In this workshop we will cover the basics of what masks, selections and channels are all about and how they interact. We will then proceed to specific examples demonstrating how to use these tools to process astronomical images. Materials will be handed out that include a course booklet and a CD-R containing example images. PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING THEIR LAPTOP COMPUTERS (WITH PHOTOSHOP INSTALLED OF COURSE!) TO WORK THROUGH THE EXAMPLES IN REAL TIME AS THE TECHNIQUES ARE PRESENTED.
Automated Observing with ACP,
Bob Denny, DC-3 Dreams,
Small Tent, Thursday 2:00 - 5:00
Bob Denny is enthusiastic about almost everything! Bob is quick to say that he is not an astronomer; he is an engineer and software designer. Software has been his real love for most of his life. His company, DC-3 Dreams, SP sells advanced astronomy automation software.
This workshop will be a hands-on tutorial on automated observing. Both astrophotography and science image acquisition will be covered. You will install (as needed) ACP Observatory Control Software, ACP Planner, the ASCOM Platform (drivers and simulators), MaxIm DL/CCD (camera control), and Starry Night Pro (planetarium). If you already have TheSky installed, you can skip the latter and use it. Commercial software will be free limited-time versions which are 100% functional.
Once you have the software installed, we'll quickly review the one-time configuration of these packages for your specific observatory instruments, and then set up to work using simulated instruments. Using the simulators, we'll prepare observing plans and run them automatically. Observing time will be compressed so your runs will complete in 1/10th the time.
There will be an unstructured Q&A session at the end. When the workshop is done, you'll be familiar with automated observing technology, how it can increase your astronomy productivity, and how to plan automated runs for best results.
Requirements: Computer running Windows XP Home or Pro SP2, or Windows 2000 Pro SP4. If you have not yet applied these Microsoft service packs (SPs), you really should do so before attending. Your computer must have a CD-ROM drive (XP only) or a USB port (for snap-drive). Minimum RAM 256MB, but you'll be much happier with 512MB. Minimum 1024x768 screen, but this will severely hamper you. Suggested 1280x1024 or larger. No other hardware, interface adapters, or instruments are required.
Prerequisites: You probably won't be interested in, or benefit from this workshop unless you have a GOTO telescope and a CCD imager, both of which can be controlled by software. If you are a visual observer, this workshop is not for you. On the other hand, if you are an avid CCD astrophotographer, or if you do science observing (asteroid light curves, variable star photometry, comet/asteroid hunting, etc.), you will probably benefit greatly.
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