General Meeting: Smart telescopes and harmonic drives

“Thoughts from the coalface at BINTEL” covering things topics such as   -

• Smart Telescopes from all the different brands – which one does what, who’s buying them and why? Are they living up to expectations and what’s the future hold for smart telescopes and amateur astronomers using them.
• Old tech becomes new again. Did you know the harmonic drives now found in mounts from ZWO, iOptron and others was used as long ago as the Apollo program? Why are these now important for astronomers and what are their advantages.
• Integrated astronomy computing. We’ve seen the success of the ZWO ASIAIR platform, but gizmos like the StellarMate and iOptron iMate are now available. A basic overview of what they are and why they’re useful.
• Finally – maybe a little heads up on new gear on the horizon.

On the 3rd Tuesday of the month (February to November) at 7:30pm, we meet on zoom or at Regis Hall in the grounds of St Ignatius’ College, Riverview Street, Riverview (Lane Cove) which features a presentation from a Guest Lecturer. These presentations generally focus on the theoretical aspects of Cosmology, Astrophysics and Astrophotography and can include some of the most up-to-date research and scientific findings. We are fortunate to be able to obtain speakers from Australia’s top universities and scientific community – our past Guest Lecturers have included the likes of Dr Fred Watson and Nobel Prize winner Prof. Brian Schmidt.

Our speaker this month is Earl White, who will speak about "Smart Telescopes, strain wave and harmonic drives".

The format of the evening consists of a welcome to Members, Guests and Visitors, a quick discussion on general business of NSAS, the presentation from our Guest Speaker and then members usually stay for pizza and have a chat with a cup of tea or coffee.

These meetings are an excellent opportunity to get to know fellow members.

By attending any NSAS event, you agree to the following:

• You are attending the Event voluntarily as an individual;

• You will familiarise yourself with any information the Society provides about the Event;

• During the Event you will behave in an appropriate, lawful and respectful manner, and comply with the rules relating to, or reasonable directions of the Observing Officer or any Society committee member regarding the use of the site on which the Event is held;

• You are travelling to/from and attending the Event at your own risk;

• The Society is not responsible for any damage, loss or theft of any of your possessions or equipment during the Event or while you are travelling to or from it;

• The Society and its members are not liable to you for any loss (including indirect or consequential loss), expense, damage, personal injury, illness or death suffered during or in connection with Event, except for any liability which cannot be excluded (in which case that liability is limited to the greatest extent allowed by law).

• You acknowledge that any area that roped or sectioned off are out of bounds and are not to be entered.