What’s new for June 2008
- Uploaded more pictures of Moon and Jupiter.
- Uploaded the pics of the construction of SK'EYE-4
When I look into the vastness of this Universe, and its complexity and ultimate perfection, how difficult it is for me to believe that this universe, when it was not there, decided that it should be there, then from nothing and from nowhere, it came into being.
- Akbar
OUR
- Dr. Muhammad Akbar Hussain Siddiqui
June 15, 2008
An Unfinished Business
While browsing through the folders of my PC, I came across a few older, previously unpublished pictures of Moon and Jupiter taken by SK'EYE-III. So I am uploading these. I am also uploading the pictures of the initial stages of construction of 12.5" Newtonian, SK'EYE-4.
- Dr. Muhammad Akbar Hussain
May 14, 2008
Construction of SK'EYE-4 Resumes
The SK'EYE-4, 12.5" reflector project is out of doldrums (at least for the time being). Construction of the mirror cell and the optical tube assembly is ongoing. I shall upload the pictures of the ongoing construction very soon.
- Dr. Muhammad Akbar Hussain
August 21, 2007
Construction of SK'EYE-4 Begins
In the first stage, mirror cell will be constructed, strong enough to house the 20 lb mirror, and accurate enough to justify the 1/8th wave accuracy of the mirror.
Technical specifications of SK'EYE-4
Aperture: 12.5”
Type: Newtonian
Accuracy: 1/8th wave
Focal ratio: f/6
The telescope is expected to be completed in 10-12 months.
- Dr. Muhammad Akbar Hussain
May 26, 2007
The Rajanpur Astronomers
If there is sky, there must be Astronomers to appreciate and study it. It is as true in Rajanpur as is anywhere else. Near the arid slopes of Takhte Sulaiman, some 450km from Karachi towards north, a group of young people just cannot get satisfied with what they see in the night sky, so they decide to see deeper. They contacted the Pakistan Amateur Astronomers Society and we offered whatever advices we could regarding telescope making. Next, they were on their own. These rural youngsters are prolific telescope designers and makers. They can make the best use of whatever little resources they have in their extremely under-privileged surroundings. Our Astronomical Society would be thankful to them (Shahzad, Zeeshan, Asif, Kashif) for sharing their ideas, experiences, and knowledge of Astronomy.
- Dr. Muhammad Akbar Hussain
SK’EYE-4
Specifications: 12.5” 1/8th wave reflecting telescope.
Expected date to start construction: July 2007
Expected date of completion: 2008-09
Comments: I shall try a new design, similar to Cassegrain. If the results are not up to expectations, I shall convert it into Newtonian in the same tube.
SK'EYE-5
Specifications: 10” 1/30th wave reflecting telescope.
Expected date to start construction: July 2007
Expected date of completion: 2008-09
Comments: I shall try the same new design, similar to Cassegrain. If the results are not up to expectations, I shall convert it into Newtonian in the same tube. This telescope will be specially designed for planetary observations.
PAKISTAN ASTRO DOME, STATION-1
A visioned project. Pakistan Astro Dome will be a small purpose built observatory at
our current location. Housed by the SK'EYE-4, I expect it to be on the scene by
2010. It will be an experimental project, that would pave the way for the future
possible observatories.
PAKISCOPES PROJECT
The non-availability of the astronomical telescopes in Pakistan in a big problem.
We ourselves faced this problem a decade ago, the solution of which led us to where
we are now. We plan to deliver step-by-step tutorials of making simple telescopes
from whatever available, for something is better than nothing.
Pakiscopes are planned to be small 100-125mm simple refractors. These will be
constructed by the new members of Pakistan Amateur Astronomers Society, for
themselves.
- Dr. Akbar
December 11, 2006
A Giant Leap Forward
A senior English astronomer and author of many books on Astronomy, David Ratledge has donated our society with something we had longed for years...two mirrors: One is a 12.5", 1/8th wave, and the other one is a 10", 1/30th wave (This one was donated). It is now possible for me to construct long planned observatory-grade telescopes SK'EYE-4, and SK'EYE-5. I expect to start construction by the end of 2007, and complete before mid of 2008. Me and my team are very thankful to David for his help and support.
- Dr. Akbar
September 16, 2006
I am currently residing in the
- Dr. Akbar
bravenet.com