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How many degrees wide is M31 Andromeda Galaxy, in order that I can set up a radio mapping exercise on the 20m Skynet Dish at Greenbank Observatory using SARA account?
A perk of SARA membership that we can use the 20m Skynet dish. The angular size of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) depends on how faint an outer region you include:…
Best medium format lenses to use with my Sony A99 camera.
Using medium-format lenses on a full-frame A-mount body like the Sony Alpha A99 is a niche but very enjoyable setup if you like manual focus, unusual rendering, and superb central…
On two coincident muon detectors, with scintillators 5 x 5 cm horizontally, and 6cm between detectors what reduction in detection would you expect from geometry alone compared to 1cm between detectors?
For two identical horizontal scintillators of size 5 x 5 cm, the coincidence rate drops as detector spacing increases because the allowed angular acceptance narrows. A useful estimate is: tan(theta_max)…
Has anyone measured effect of temperature on response of scintillators in Cosmic Watch muon detectors?
Yes — there have been a few measurements and discussions of temperature effects in CosmicWatch-style scintillator/SiPM muon detectors, though not many formal dedicated studies. The main effect is usually not…
What are types of cloud chamber?
There are several major types of cloud chamber and related particle-track detectors. They all work by making charged particles visible as trails. 1. Diffusion cloud chamber This is the most…
When a muon travels through our atmosphere, what is the chance that it will interact with something in the atmosphere?
A muon passing through the atmosphere is very likely to interact many times electromagnetically, but very unlikely to undergo a major nuclear interaction or be stopped outright. The key point…
Are muons charged?
Yes — muons are electrically charged particles. A muon is similar to an electron but much heavier (about 207 times the electron’s mass). There are two types: The elementary charge…
If EQ6 mount is being controlled from Stellarium via ASCOM driver, then if I point the telescope at an object, then turn off the mount, and later turn the mount back on, will ASCOM be able to re-establish pointing position of mount?
Short answer: no — not reliably, and usually not at all. When you’re using an EQ6 mount (like the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro) through ASCOM Platform and Stellarium, the system does…
IEXOS 100 mount – can you turn off tracking – ie use it to point but without powered tracking as tracking causing RFI?
This is a possible but untested solution. Make sure you tighten clutches before turning off your motors so that your antenna does not drop and hit ground or mount. Also…