Hello from Boulder, Colorado - Forums

Topic starter

Feb 22, 2022

Hi Everyone,

My name is Tom and I live and photograph in Boulder Colorado. I retired a little over two years ago after spending 32 years in higher education. I was a practicing geophysicist who taught and did research at the Colorado School of Mines. In addition to research and teaching I spent many years in higher education administration.

I acquired my first telescope in the mid 1990's, an 8" SCT. Unfortunately, work quickly caught up to me and I put the scope in storage. After retiring I pulled it back out and began doing astrophotography last Spring using both my old SCT and a new GT81. As I travel to my observing site, I focus on objects that I can image reasonably in one or two, four hour viewing sessions. Currently imaging with an OSC camera and have been pretty happy with the results so far. A lot to still learn, but enjoying the journey.

Clear skies everyone !-)

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Alex

Feb 22, 2022

Welcome to Astrobin Tom! Congratulations on retirement. I'm still fairly early in my career, so I have quite a while to go, but I love what I do and respect my employer.

I have a GT81, and I've been quite happy with it. I bought my first telescope late in 2020 (an AWB OneSky) for visual observation, took a picture of the moon with my cellphone in December 2020, and started astrophotography early in 2021 after buying a DSLR and camera tracker. I quickly blew way past what I planned for a budget last year and bought the GT81, a mount, and later a ASI6200MM and FLT 132 right before Hurricane Ida put a hold on life for a month. I'm wanting either an 8" SCT or RC and OSC like a ASI2600MC or ASI6200MC, but spending is on hold for AP for a while

.

I've been MIA until just the other day due to life, work, then COVID, but I'm excited to get back into imaging again assuming we get some clear skies. Southern Louisiana is quite temperamental when it comes to "good" seeing conditions. Good is in quotes as being 5 feet above sea level and having 99% RH every imaging session is almost guaranteed. So seeing is never "good" per se, but you can image pretty much anywhere if you try!

Clear skies and welcome once again!

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Tom Boyd

Topic starter

Feb 22, 2022

Hi Alex,

Thank you for the welcome and follow - much appreciated.

Love your wide field Veil Nebula shot. You have clearly learned a lot over the past year. I'm planning on a Veil mosaic for the summer.

Here's to seeing more great work from you Alex !-)

Tom

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Alex

Feb 22, 2022

Tom,

Thanks back at you. I'm torn on my Veil image. The amount of stars and the contrast is a bit harsh, and it makes me want to try reprocessing it with a lighter touch.

I've definitely learned a lot, but there's still plenty more to learn! I try to learn more each imaging and processing session.

You're off to a great start yourself!

Alex

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Tom Boyd

Topic starter

Feb 22, 2022

Thanks Alex - there is always going to more to learn :-)

Marc Dickinson

Feb 23, 2022

Hi Tom, Nice to see another miner on Astrobin. 86 M.Sc. geophysics CSM. Clear skies! Marc

Tom Boyd

Topic starter

Feb 23, 2022

Thank you…

Unbelievable. I’m a geophysicist too :-) I joined the department in 1988, only a couple of years later. I was hired by Phil Romig as an earthquake seismologist to replace Dr. Major.

what was your specialty?

Tom Boyd

Topic starter

Feb 23, 2022

Just checked out some of your work. Beautiful. I look forward to seeing new work from you.

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Marc Dickinson

Feb 23, 2022

Tom Boyd:
Thank you…

Unbelievable. I’m a geophysicist too :-) I joined the department in 1988, only a couple of years later. I was hired by Phil Romig as an earthquake seismologist to replace Dr. Major.

what was your specialty?

Areomagnetics, advisor was Richard Hansen in the center for potential field studies. I had Dr. Major for "Physics of the Earth" and field camp, what a character.

Marc Dickinson

Feb 23, 2022

Tom Boyd:
Just checked out some of your work. Beautiful. I look forward to seeing new work from you.

Thank you. You're getting great results! I'll keep an eye out for your new work too.

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Tom Boyd

Topic starter

Feb 23, 2022

Ah, Richard. When I first arrived at Mines my office was in the Gravity/Mag center run by Richard and Norman - both great people.

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Ernesthernandez

Mar 14, 2022

Hi, first of all, welcome to the forum, I'm waiting for your miraculous pictures.

Tom Boyd

Topic starter

Mar 15, 2022

Thanks Ernest. Miraculous is hardly the word I would use to describe my work !-) But, I'll do my best. Cheers…

Ernesthernandez

Mar 15, 2022 · Edited: Mar 15, 2022

I am impressed by your courage to leave the education sphere and get into a new one - photography. I did the same, but not such radically. I had been a teacher in an offline school and then started to work on https://edubirdie.com/write-my-speech to try me in a new sphere. All that was related to the online learning platform was "far" from me. But mine and your example prove that new arenas should and even must be discovered. I have to write one more speech on edubirdie and then I would have enough sources for you to organize for my family a photo session. I will contact you soon. Good luck with your new experience!

Jim Raskett

Mar 16, 2022 · Edited: Mar 16, 2022

Hi Tom and welcome!

I haven’t been a member here long, but it is wonderful to be in the company of some of the best astrophotographers in the world.
I share a similar environment as Alex since I live in South Mississippi. Hot, sweaty, bugs, hurricanes, but it’s all mine!

You already have a nice collection of images and looking forward to seeing more your images. Have fun!

Jim

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Tom Boyd

Topic starter

Mar 16, 2022

You too !-) Thank you for the warm welcome Jim. Looking forward to seeing all of the great photos…

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