After solving many technical problems, I can now observe comets again as the first evening before 2021. Comets on the menu were (unfortunately due to the full moon): 9P (not detected), 29P, 156P, 409P, C/2020 T2, C/2020 V2, C/2021 A2, C/2021 A4. With the LHiResIII spectrograph a spectra of following stars was obtained: HD 70340, gam Cas, 25 Ori.
spectroscopic observations on 9 febr. 2021
After a full month of not being able to observe due to the persistent bad weather, I was finally able to open the observatory again, although in cold temperatures of -7° C. I was able to obtain some spectra with the LHiResIII spectrograph and took some stars for the TESS project (see ARAS forum). Stars I was able to capture a spectrum are: gam Cas (H-alpha region), gam Cas (HeI @ 6678 Å), 25 Ori, 15 Mon, HD 43285, ome Ori, OT Gem.
New comet C/2021 B2 (PANSTARRS) on 18 jan.
With a remote 0.61-m f/ 6.5 telescope of the Telescope Live network in Rio Hurtado, Chile i could detect and confirm the cometary nature of the new possible comet, mentioned on the PCCP on 18 jan. 2021. Later on 22 jan. 2021 this object was assigned as comet C/2021 B2 (PANSTARRS) via CBET 4921 and M.P.E.C. 2021-B120
New comet C/2021 A7 (NEOWISE)
In collaboration with F.-J. Hambsch we observed an object while it was still mentioned on the PCCP of the minorplanetcenter on 13 jan. 2021. We could detect this comet on the images taken with the 0.4-m f/6.8 ODK of F.-J. Hambsch his privat observatory (ROAD) in Chile (MPC:G39). Later on 15 jan. this cobject was assigned as comet C/2021 A7 (NEOWISE) via CBET 4917 and M.P.E.C. 2021-A211 : COMET C/2021 A7 (NEOWISE).
New comet C/2020 X4 (LEONARD)
on 15 dec. 2020, i observed a new object mentioned on the PCCP of the minorplanetcenter from my backyard with the 0.4-m f/3.8 newton telescope, later on 10 jan. was this object assigned as comet C/2020 X4 (LEONARD) via MPEC 2021-A101
New comet C/2021 A2 (NEOWISE)
I observed a new possible comet, mentioned on the PCCP of the minorplanetcenter on jan. 7 with a Telescope.Live refractor Takahashi FSQ-106ED from Heavens mirror observatory in YASS, Australia. This object was assigned as comet C/2021 A2 (NEOWISE) via CBET 4908 and MPC 2021-A100 on jan. 10.
spectroscopic observations 8 jan. 2021
Finally, a clear night for observation. Unfortunately, the ASA mount is still out of service due to the defective internal USB hub and completely dismantled. I was able to observe some spectra with the C11 and the LHiResIII spectrograph in high resolution. stars of which one spectra could be obtained are: zet Tau, ome Ori, 25 Ori, OT Gem, V715 Mon.
remote observations of PCCP object on 23 dec.
same object A10iMHA was observed, now in collaboration with F.-J. Hambsch his remote observatory in Chile (San Pedro de Atacama). Object could be easely detected.
spectroscopic observations on 20 dec.
I could obtain some high resolution spectra of the H-alpha region of Be stars: pi Aqr, bet Psc, 8 Lac.
technical issue with ASA DDM85 on 21 dec. 2020
I noticed an problem with my setup with the ASA DDM85 mount. The USB devices aren’t recognised anymore . After some tests, i could conclude that the internal USB hub of the ASA DDM85 isn’t working anymore or very unstable. I decided to remove my telescope and the mount an thanks of the tips of a Dutch friend, i could remove the internal USB-hub. I opened the very small USB hub and saw that the electronics was severely contaminated by combination of condensate and dirt. check out the webpage of the ASA mount with USB internal hub. I did a search on internet but this kind of USB-hub (Conrad 4 port USB 2.0 hub type: HY-HB-856, manufacturer is the Chinese Hiyatek) is obsolete. I contacted Astrosysteme and they are closed until 11 jan. 2021.
update (26 dec.2020): The USB hub is no longer working anyway. So I cleaned the USB hub with distilled water and toothbrush. Afterwards I dried it and put it in a bath of isopropanol for a few minutes, then dried it with a hairdryer. Tested again and the USB hub works again. But after a while testing with the CCD-camera, i experienced that the hub is unstable and not working always.
