Nov 2025 - Cable Management
Next up, I'd like to figure out a way to connect the imaging camera directly to the computer, without going through any USB hubs. This should improve the refresh rate for the camera, which will greatly speed up alignment and maybe speed up the overall imaging process, including auto-focus times, etc.
It's probably not super necessary, but while I am re-routing the camera data cable, I'm planning to install a Pegasus Powerbox on top of the telescope, which will distribute power to the various devices. That way, we may be able to just have a single power cable traveling up from the pier to the scope, and may also avoid any attenuation issues. The dew heater is especially sensitive in that regard.
Nov 2025 - Switching to Narrowband
Up to this point, all my images have been taken with a one-shot-color (OSC) astronomical camera. I've finally decided to make the switch to using a mono camera, which means for each deep space target I'll have to start using filters to capture the different colors (wavelengths). The plan is to use three filters; - Hydrogen Alpha (HA) - Doubly Ionized Oxygen (OIII) - Ionized Sulfur (SII)
As the filters only allow a narrow band of the color spectrum to pass through, I'm told this will improve the quality of my images and reduce noise from light pollution. I may even be able to image while the Moon is up. I'll need to take separate sets of subframes with each of those filters, and to automate that process I'll be modifying my image train to include a filter wheel.
2026 - Viking Lander project
I'm thinking of commissioning the design, prototyping and manufacture of a high fidelity, accurate scale replica of the Viking Lander spacecraft. This would be a cool product to build, and would surely re-ignite curiosity and interest in this incredible mission. This idea is driven more by nostalgia than anything else, as Viking evokes a lot of fond memories for me. I'm currently chatting with some product engineering and design folks to determine cost, feasibility, etc. Thoughts and ideas welcome.
2026 - Videos, Podcasts, SciFi Novel
Sometime in the coming year, I plan to resurrect my video photography skills to start working on some astronomy themed videos. The current approach in producing science documentaries seems to favor quick-fire delivery, repetitive dialog that's often lacking in context, overly dramatic music and artificial tension designed no doubt to hold the viewer's attention during ad-breaks. You'll hear a lot of phony headlines such as "scientists were shocked by what they discovered next..."If instead you can convey the wonder of scientific discovery with a good storyline, stunning visuals and emotionally charged music, I believe you can engage an audience in a meaningful way, without the "shock and awe" theatrics. That's the plan - we'll see how it works out. We're also looking into doing a podcast of sorts in which we would interview celebrities in science and science fiction. And work on my my new science fiction novel continues, although it will likely be another year or two before you see it show up in our store!