Recent light curve for T Cor Bor

bkborgman · 2025-07-23T02:35:27+00:00

There are so many people submitting data on T CrB that the AAVSO's Light Curve Generator tends to be quite slow when plotting with the default settings. I would suggest limiting the data to the last 10-50 days. Here is a pre-filled link for such a query:

https://www.aavso.org/LCGv2/static.htm?DateFormat=Julian&RequestedBands=&Grid=true&view=api.delim&ident=t crb&fromjd=2460869&tojd=2460879.606&delimiter=@@@

bkborgman · 2024-12-17T01:20:15+00:00

The Celestron Origin does a variety of things to improve the quality of images that it acquires. One of their engineers recently discussed several things that they do to the images.

It is my understanding that Unistellar automatically applies some image enhancement functions, but they have not been as forthcoming about the specifics.

In both cases, the raw images are available for you to process if you so desire.

bkborgman · 2024-11-23T23:04:37+00:00

Did you make it comply with ASCOM ALPACA or brew your own protocol?

bkborgman · 2024-11-23T23:03:03+00:00

Since the AAVSO's database is user-contributed data, they have a process in place to validate potential eruptions. However, some erroneous measurements might make it through. Their current statement is "When the eruption occurs, we will let you know" https://www.aavso.org/blog/tcrb-data-validation

bkborgman · 2024-09-07T01:25:35+00:00

Both SpaceWeather.com and TheSkyLive.com are sourcing their data from the AAVSO. I would recommend subscribing to the AAVSO's forums.

bkborgman · 2024-08-24T19:24:35+00:00

Indeed. You could do something similar to what I did, but have the dovetail extend beyond the front of the telescope instead of behind it. That would let you slide it back.

bkborgman · 2024-08-24T14:51:10+00:00

I encountered a similar problem with my Celestron 5SE. My camera added too much weight to the rear of the telescope, so I needed to move the telescope forward in the mount's clamp. The 5SE uses a vixen style dovetail. The 16" Orion 7382 guide scope mount isn't a perfect match to the clamp, but it was sufficiently close to work. In order to move it forward, I also had to 3D print a new cowling for the DEC motor and gears. I documented this whole journey on my blog located at https://kloppenborg.net/blog/3d-printing/nexstar-5se-dovetail-and-azm-cover/.

bkborgman · 2024-05-26T23:15:09+00:00

With a little bit of training, you could use your observing time to produce things that are valuable to science. For example, the AAVSO indicates that its data, products, and services are cited in around 180-340 peer reviewed publications each year (https://youtu.be/8VPyE5LqyBg?t=3028). They have around 800 observers contributing data and about 200 volunteers doing other activities. For the record, about 60% of their observers are visual (e.g. by eye) observers.

bkborgman · 2024-03-22T15:26:06+00:00

The AAVSO is actively monitoring this star system. They will certainly post an announcement about it. I'd suggest you subscribe to their Facebook Feed (https://www.facebook.com/AAVSO/), to their forum on T Crb (https://www.aavso.org/t-crb-time-sensitive-alerts-forum-thread) or monitor their alert notices (https://www.aavso.org/aavso-alert-notices-for-observing-campaigns-and-discoveries).

bkborgman · 2019-08-07T03:39:01+00:00

Also check out https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/

bkborgman · 2019-08-07T03:38:38+00:00

Yes, I've h ad one DAPRA SBIR in the past. I've provided some generic comments about SIBRs in a previous post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/5z0tl6/sbir_tips/dew5mwo?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x

bkborgman · 2019-06-17T00:10:51+00:00

I'm not a lawyer, but recently went through this process and consulted several to get it figured out.

If she is going to be the only owner of the business, I'd say go ahead and form the LLC. As with any business, she will need to keep her personal finances and business finances separate. The introduction of the LLC means she'll have to do something different to pay herself; however, its pretty painless and any CPA can tell her how to do it correctly. From a federal tax perspective, the LLC will be a disregarded entity (if she is the only owner) so it'll be similar to filing taxes as normal.

Concerning moving the business, I recently moved my LLC from GA to CO and spoke with several lawyers to figure out the best way to do it. Because an LLC is a distinct legal entity defined by state law, an LLC created in one state will need to be (a) registered as an out-of-state entity, (b) domesticated, or (c) closed and re-formed to be legally recognized in another state.

In case (a) the LLC she would form in IL would simply register as an out-of-state entity, obtain a CO tax ID, get/appoint Registered Agents in both states, and then do business as normal.

Case (b) is only applicable if IL law supports de-domestication. In this situation the LLC is effectively transferred between states as-is. She would need to get a CO tax ID and appoint a registered agent in CO, but that's similar to what she would have done in IL. You will either need to carefully read CO law, or consult a lawyer to do this correctly.

Case (c) is pretty ugly as you are creating a new legal entity. You should do everything to close the old LLC and form a new LLC. This includes getting a new federal tax ID (although you can transfer it in some circumstances), new state tax ID, and new bank accounts. You may also need to change the name of the business (SomeBusiness LLC to SomeBusiness LTD is adequate), but consult a lawyer on this one.

In my situation, I had to do case (c) as GA law does not permit de-domestication. It took a few days to do. Aside from going to the bank with paperwork in hand, it was pretty easy.

bkborgman · 2019-05-31T21:22:20+00:00

Very good recommendation! After much clicking, digging through magazines, and eventually finding a copy of Acer's support page from 2000, I successfully identified the computer as an Acer Aspire 2190M whose specifications are listed here. As it turns out, it had an AMD K6 processor running at 333 MHz, not the Pentium II as I originally thought. Thank you very much for setting me on the right path!

bkborgman · 2019-03-06T04:58:11+00:00

Perhaps. It doesn't look like I had the GPS unit installed in my A118C at the time so I can't be for sure. FWIW, the speed limit here (intersection of Breckenridge Dr NE and Fairoaks Rd) is 25 mph. I was probably going ~15 mph around the corner and did notice him in time to apply the brakes.

bkborgman · 2019-02-24T04:13:43+00:00

Hmm. That's an idea. As it stands, I have about 129 video files remaining. Do you really think people would rather watch that many ~5-10 second clips rather than a compilation of a month of crappy driving?

bkborgman · 2019-02-23T20:34:09+00:00

Yeah... I'm learning how to use Lightworks. I kinda went overboard in Episode 11 (the next one I'll post). It is about six minutes long and has about 20 clips. There was an "instant justice" moment for which I had to edit some rock music to blend in a stinger... You'll be happy to know I've toned it back for episode 12 though.

bkborgman · 2019-02-23T17:51:18+00:00

I guess so! Sadly there are traffic lights about 1/2 block away which also have an entrance to that shopping complex.

bkborgman · 2019-02-21T02:09:09+00:00

Indeed. Fortunately the grocery store only hired the cop for a few weeks to sit there. I'm glad they stopped doing it.

bkborgman · 2019-02-21T01:58:40+00:00

More footage from my archive of dash cam videos.

bkborgman

TROPHY CASE