Observatory

Welcome to The Nightspirit Observatory located in Kyiv, Ukraine.

It's privat home observatory. I use this non-profit blog to document the natural beauty of our universe using modest equipment. I hope this site will be a source of inspiration for you to reach closer to the wonders of our universe.

The Nightspirit Observatory was founded by professional astronomer Sergii Pokhvala in Ukraine. The main field of stady of observatory is the high-speed spectroscopy and photometry of variable stars. Also, there is interest of observations of  comets, asteroids and meteors.

For observations of variable stars used the high-speed shooting technique. This enables to obtain results with high time resolution. High-speed observations shows fast effects of stars. For example, we can observed the fast processes such as spicules, prominences, flares, etc. Also this technique enables to use  "Lucky imaging" technique.

The observatory is located on the outskirts of Kyiv. It's not good place for astronomy because sky is very dirty. Dust, smog, pollutions created a parasitic illumination. Nevertheless, it's not problem for urban observations. Many objects are available!
Observatory has some excellent sky to the south and upward to the 60°.

The Nightspirit Observatory has cooperation with The Main Astronomical Observatory (MAO) of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Andrushivka Astronomical Observatory "East Eye". This enables to access to observations on the big telescopes. This is AZT-2 (70cm RC reflector) in MAO and Carl-Zeiss 600 (60cm RC reflector) in "East Eye". Every year I have observation campaign from April to November. This enables to obtain the work on the professional equipment and to take part in conferences and to print scientific articles.

Location: 50°21'05.1"N 30°28'50.0"E

Equipment

1.  Maksutov Cassegrain Reflector

 

Intes Micro ALTER M 603 - 6"F/10

F=1520mm
f10


It is main telescope of The Nightspirit Observatory from March 2017!

It has Maksutov Cassegrain Reflector optical system. Telescope has very high quality.
This 6" Mak is a good telescope, has consistenly impressed every SCT user that looks through it. The optics are sharp, and are probably close to maximum performance that can be expected from an f/10 MCT.  The scope is well baffeled and very handy.
Mechanically the scope is solid and reasonably attractive; there is some backlash in the focuser but not extreme. I have noticed only a little image shift.

It's great instrument for spectroscopy, photometry and astrophoto of Deep Sky, Moon and bright planets. Usually, I use it for spectrometric and photometrical observations.

Also, It's great telescope for visual observations.

This telescope replaced the previous refractor Sky Watcher 2101.

2. Reflector by Maksutov

MTO-1000
F=1300mm
f13

This telescope has Maksutov optical system, designed and created in USSR. Today this telescope can not used. It had first lite in 2013, but instrument need stabile mount. I hope that this excellent telescope will be used in 2016!

UPD: It was my main telescope from February 2016 till March 2017. Currently, This scope used like mobile device with manual EQ3 mount. Next step: motorization of EQ3 mount.



3. Refractor-triplet 

Tair-3s

F=300mm
f4.5

It has refractor optical system, three lenses in three groups. This is telephoto lens designed and created in USSR. It has excellent quality lens. Usually, I use it for guidescope or photography of Deep Sky and stellar fields. Also, it's great compact scope for trevelling. This is lens can be used for photometry and spectroscopy too. It's very universal and useful lens, nice assistant for Stargazers!










4. Sensors.

I use Canon 350D, Atik 314+L mono and QHY6 cameras for photometry, spectroscopy and astrophotography. Also, i have modified web camera Logitech 310 for guiding.

5. Accessories

- Star Analyser 200 (SA-200) diffraction grating
- Star Analyser 100 (SA-100) diffraction grating
- School experiments diffraction grating (R~300)
- H-Alpha filter
- U, B, V, R Johnson filters
- Blue, Green, Orange, Red, Dark (Solar) and Neutral Grey (Lunar) TAL 1.25" filter set
- Tair aperture filter set

- 32mm, 25mm, 10 mm oculars
- Antares 2inch 0.5x focal reducer 
- K-1 2x photo converter (Barlow lens) (USSR)

- Flip mirror
- Filter wheel 5-Position, 1.25"

- EQDrive Standard the control unit, is intended for automation of work of the equatorial, German and azimuthal mounts.

The Nightspirit Observatory is open to any suggestions and collaborations! We need people for data processing which have skills in programming (MATLAB, Python or other).
Also, you can do financial assistance for the development of observatory :-) If you want give your help you can write message to e-mail: nightspirit10@gmail.com

Clear skies!