Charlie Hein
Postmaster
Reged: 11/02/03
Posts: 6238
Loc: 26.06.08N, +80.23.08W
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Welcome to the September 2007 Cloudy Nights Imaging/Sketching Contest poll!
Each month the best images selected from the individual Cloudy Nights Imaging and Sketching forums will be presented for the userbase to vote on. The monthly winner receives the coveted Cloudy Nights t-shirt! At the conclusion of the poll, the entry with the highest total will be the winner of the contest..
Please choose your favorite out of all the images. This poll will remain open through October 15th at midnight EST.
Here are the entries for September!
Beginning Imaging's Finalist - Zyxlor:
Detail in IC 1805.
Taken with Tak TSA102 and SBIG ST-10. Guided with Celestron ED80 and DSI Pro II.
9, 10 minute subs through an Ha filter aquired with MaximDL.
Color added to monochrome in PSCS3 then monochrome added back in as luminence.
Film Astrophotography's Finalist - AstroBobo:
Pleiades and California Nebula - medium format Pentax 6x7, 150mm Pentax Takumar lens @ f/5.6, 20 minutes on Kodak E200. Taken from Petrova Gora, Croatia - the mist came at the end of the exposure and produced nice halos around brighter stars.
DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing's Finalist - Mike B.:
Click the image for a 2307x1438 enlargement (647K) or click here to see the mosaic at full size (4614x2875, 2119KB.)
Andromeda Galaxy 3-Panel Mosaic
Name: Mike Broussard
Location: Maurice, LA
Dates: Sept 11th, 15th & 22nd, 2007
Telescope: Meade 8" f/4 Schmidt-Newtonian w/MPCC
Camera: Hutech Modified Canon 350XT w/IDAS-LPS Front Filter
Mount: Atlas EQ-G w/EQMOD and EQMOSAIC
Guiding: 102mm F/5 Achro, 2x Barlow, DSI Pro, PHD Guiding
Exposure: 42x180 sec core, 54x180 sec left side, 37x180 sec right side @ ISO 1600
Processing: IRIS, Registar, PS, Gradient XTerminator, Neat Image & Noel Carboni's Astronomy Tools
CCD Imaging & Processing's Finalist - EricCCD:
IC 1396:
Takahashi FSQ-106 @ f/5
Takahashi EM200 Temma 2 Mount
SBIG STL 6303 Class 1 camera
Astrodon Narrow-band Filters
Software:
Maxim DL
CCD Autopilot
Photoshop CS
SII: 10 hours (20 x 30)
H-alpha: 7 hours (14 x 30)
OIII: 9.5 hours (19 x 30)
Solar System Imaging's Finalist - rumples riot:
Jupiter,
taken from Blackwood, South Australia,
Scope: Peltier cooled C14
Mount: CGE
Camera: Skynyx 2-0
Barlow: TV 2x barlow.
Astronmiks RGB filters
3 September 2007 at 1005UT
35 seconds per channel
500 odd frames per channel in final stack.
Sketching Forum's Finalist - Myles:
Pencil on sketch paper at the eyepiece, pastel on black sketch paper indoors, Adobe Photo Elements 5 for the digital mod.
Good Luck to all our finalists!
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Beginning Imaging's Finalist - Zyxlor:
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Film Astrophotography's Finalist - AstroBobo:
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DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing's Finalist - Mike B.:
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CCD Imaging & Processing's Finalist - EricCCD:
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Solar System Imaging's Finalist - rumples riot:
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Sketching Forum's Finalist - Myles:
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Weston CSC:
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Ben Ritchie
Lost in Space
Reged: 01/31/05
Posts: 4213
Loc: Bosham, UK
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Fantastic selection as usual, very hard to pick one to vote for.
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Astro-Physics 130EDT StarFire/TeleVue 60is/Astro-Physics 1200GTO/SBIG ST-4000XCM
80ED/HEQ5Pro, lots of other stuff...
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Starman1
Postmaster
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 10713
Loc: Los Angeles
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Zyxlor's image is from a beginner?  Mama mia!
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Don Pensack
12.5" Truss Dob, 5" Maksutov
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member, TeleVue junkie
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Dick Lipke
member
Reged: 02/20/07
Posts: 83
Loc: Marine City,Mich.
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The number one should not be allowed these contestes.Since chooseing only one winner is mathematically impossible.
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LX90 8",Cornado Max 40,Miyauchi 20x100 Bino's,and way to many eyepieces and filters
Thousand Oaks 8" Ha filter
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Mike B
Starstruck
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 4216
Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA
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This poll's "choosing" thing is ALWAYS a difficult task... this time around its gone from nearly ridiculous to entirely "sublime"! Just some incredible results!
Bravo to all 
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Just for giggles- Next time when the money comes out the ATM, scream "I Won!, I Won!"
* * 15" F4.55 Starsplitter Dob * *
 Pacheco State Park
 Fremont Peak
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Monte Stark
super member
Reged: 10/14/06
Posts: 165
Loc: Brenda, AZ
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I voted. But that does not mean that I really think any one of them is "better" than the other. I just picked the one that I feel might do the best job of holding someone's attention that is not yet into the hobby. GREAT job by all!
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Monte Stark
Caldwell, ID
8" LX90 LNT, LPI, DSI Pro, OM-1
Boise, ID
Brenda, AZ
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Leigh
member
Reged: 10/01/07
Posts: 48
Loc: Cranleigh, UK
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These are just incredible.. stunning images..
Cudos!
Leigh
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Meade LX90GPS 8"
DSI II Pro
DIY 12" Truss Dob (In the planning stage)
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Daniel8802
sage
Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 293
Loc: Sewell, NJ, USA
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Great job to everyone that has submitted an image!! They are fantastic! 
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- Orion SkyQuest XT8
- Rigel Astronomy (Updated: 6/25/08)
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guydickinson
journeyman
Reged: 02/17/06
Posts: 5
Loc: Dorset. UK.
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All fantastic - impossible choice again!.
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aarons
member
Reged: 08/30/07
Posts: 49
Loc: Wet Coast, Canada
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All excellent - I wonder how many hours of effort are represented by these six? Bravo to all.
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8" f6 Skywatcher Dob
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Chris A
newbie
Reged: 02/03/07
Posts: 1
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All are excellent images and the dedication is outstanding. Great work to all of you!
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Sam Sayers
member
Reged: 05/28/07
Posts: 21
Loc: Just beyond Saturn
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Every one of those photos is unbelievable. They are the best finialists I've seen. Congrats to each of you.
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Sam
"Midnight", my Celestron CPC-800 with piggybacked Celestron 80ED
Celestron NexImage
Oberwerk 20x80mm Deluxe II binocular
Celestron OptiView 10x50mm LPR binocular
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David W
super member
Reged: 06/13/07
Posts: 107
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I agree with Sam. These are some of the best finalists I've seen since joining CN. Amazing, truly amazing. They are inspiration and an aspiration for those of us, like myself, who hope to delve into astrophotography one day.
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Barska 30x80 binoculars, and ... ok, nothing else (yet)
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charles genovese
member
Reged: 02/04/06
Posts: 22
Loc: Madisonville Louisiana
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EricCCD
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Asbytec
sage
Reged: 08/08/07
Posts: 216
Loc: La Union, PI
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Okay, here goes...
First of all, I agree totally...this is the closest call I have seen. It's almost to the point of abstaining, for me. If we had images like this 2 decades ago, we wouldn't need the Hubble...(joking, but half serious.)
But, if I had to chose one...there must be something that makes one just a little better than the others. So, what is it? Technique? Processing? Equipment? Contrast? Star images? Composition?
The first image is simply stunning work for a beginner, stunning period. It's in my top choices for those reasons and the fact that not many folks attempt that object, not that I am aware of, anyway.
The image of the Pleiades has an interesting composition. Normally, you will see photos framing the Peiades or the California Nebula alone. This is the first photo I have seen them together. I like the mix of color.
Andromeda shows tremendous detail, as does IC1396. I do not understand the colors in IC1396, red on one side, blue on the other. But, the detail and choice of subject matter gives it high marks.
Jupiter is simply stunning...and is in my short list, too. The sketch of the sun is interesting for what it is, but just lacks the "stun" appeal of photos. I feel it is fine as a sketch, but has met it's match against the photos in this competition.
So, <drum roll please...while I make up my mind>...I will have to go with...hmmmm...(one last look)...the Pleaides for it's composition and range of color. Now, off to vote to see if others agree.
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11" Celestron SCT
La Union, Philippines
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lagwagon555
journeyman
Reged: 04/05/07
Posts: 9
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Eric CCD... thats just breathtaking.
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droid
rocketman
Reged: 08/29/04
Posts: 2988
Loc: ohio
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I voted for the sketching forum sub.I need to say I wish I could vote for all of them.I really couldnt choose out right, they were that good.I finally decided to vote based upon my perceived ideas of what was entailed to do the images.
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andy
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lunar-tic
member
Reged: 06/28/07
Posts: 31
Loc: Maryland
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It is so unfair to select one as the best. I went with my Luddite tendency and chose one that used film though I also wanted to choose the sketches. I wish I had the patience to set photos up and sketch under the hot Sun!
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iblis
admirer of the sky
Reged: 07/12/06
Posts: 2241
Loc: Germany
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the IC1396 is great 
I have instant added it for my collection of pictures
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Grüße von Iblis
The Universe is not only queerer than we imagine; it is queerer than we CAN imagine.
(Haldane)
and here I observe that universe
The sky is my heaven !**********  ********
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mark47
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/21/07
Posts: 563
Loc: Scotland
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Quote:
Eric CCD... thats just breathtaking.
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Celestron C6-NGT.
Equinox 80mmED on a Porta Mount.
William optics 2" Dielectric Diagonal.
Baader Hyperion 24,13 & 8mm EPs
Celestron 1.25" EP Kit.
Antares 25,15,10mm Plossl.
Orion 12.5mm Illuminated Reticule Plossl.
Baader Neodymium, OIII, UHC-S Filters.
Antares ALP Filter.
Canon EOS 350D.
Dark Skies Everyone.
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doctordub
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/11/06
Posts: 888
Loc: New Rochelle, New York
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I don't think it is fair to ask us to choose just one when all of these entries are so fantastic!
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Jonathan
TeleVue TV102 on Vixen SXW mount
Meade LXD 55 SN10/UHTC Modified
Jason Monolux 60mm
Canon 15x50 IS
Bushnell 7-15x25, 10x21 IV
BO 8x21
Olympus E-510, 14-42, 40-150 Zuiko
Meade DSI, LPI, Eep
TeleVue:
Binovue, 2X Corrector
3x barlow, 2x 5mm, 2x7mm,
12mm, 17mm & 2-4mm Zoom Naglers,
2x24mm, & 27mm panoptics,
55mm Plossl & 3mm Radian
Siebert Power Mag wheel
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tim kent
member
Reged: 03/05/06
Posts: 30
Loc: Northumberland UK
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All are fantastic. Congratulations to everyone.
You are all winners.
Regards....Tim 
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If only I had bought a bigger one!
Skywatcher 200
MCT 130 Motormax
Got it now
Meade LX90 10"
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Sol
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/20/07
Posts: 704
Loc: Powys, Wales, UK
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First time I have voted on one of these and I was astounded at the overall quality of images offered here. They really are all winners, but if I had to choose one then it would be Eric CCD due to the dedication shown in capturing 27 hours of data and the very lengthy processing that must have followed
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Visit the Sunnymeade Astro Solar and Astronomy Blog
http://sunnymeadeastro.blogspot.com/
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nickthegreek13_7
super member
Reged: 07/09/07
Posts: 160
Loc: Crete, Greece
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I had to go for the false colors of IC 1396!
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And there was light...!
GSO 8" f/6 Dob
Baader Hyperion 5mm,13mm & 21mm/Super Plossl 25mm
Televue Barlow 2X
Baader OIII & UHC-S
Observing under 4 mag Skies
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Mark Collins
member
Reged: 01/28/07
Posts: 15
Loc: Isle of Wight U.K.
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Have to agree with what's already been said, yet another monthly impossible task!
I'd just like to congratulate all the finalists for their fabulous images and also for all the hard work and skill which they've put into getting these results.
Very best wishes and thanks
Mark
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Mark
WO ZS8011ED
WO ZS66SD
EQ6 Pro Synscan
Meade LX10 SCT, ETX90
Baader modded 400D
Canon EOS 20D,
ToUcam Pro2,
10x50s etc
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Richard Scott
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/25/06
Posts: 697
Loc: Tampa FL
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I voted for Zyxlor as well. The sooner he graduates from the beginners forum, the better my chances get. Zyxlor, you have really made the Big Gun Tak work for you.
I want to see you post a pix of you wearing that Cloudy Nights “T”
Richard
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11” Celestron XLT SCT
Orion ED80 APO
CG-5 GEM
JMI NGF-CM Focuser
Orion SSDSI
Meade DSI Pro
an assortment of 1.25” & 2" stuff
all tucked inside the Blue Moon Observatory
http://tinyurl.com/29b9wn
Basically more scope than my abilities warrant
"I know I can never look upon the stars without wondering why the whole world does not become astronomers."
Thomas Wright
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Zyxlor
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/10/05
Posts: 2039
Loc: St. Cloud, FL
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I'm a DSO freak so I don't hang out in our Solar System but I am stunned by the clarity and detail of the Jupiter image.
Paul... what a fantastic image!
You live on Earth right?
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Zyxlor
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tak TSA-102S
Tak EM-200 Temma 2
Meade 10" LX200 OTA now removed from forks-
OTA is now rigged to go onto Tak mount.
Celestron EB80 Piggy backed on TSA102 or 10" SCT which ever is in use!
Meade DSI Pro II (a great guiding camera!)
Philips Toucam
Philips 900NC
SBIG STL-11000M
Astrodon LRGBH 50mm
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GerardG
member
Reged: 08/13/07
Posts: 31
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Choose only one. It isn't easy, they are all very good, congratulation all.
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Meade 10" SCT LX50
Denk Big Easy and D21
Nagler 17T4
Nagler 9T1
Celestron Barlow Ultima
Celestron Skymaster 15x70
WO 33mm SWAN
WO 2" Carbon Fiber Dielectric Diagonal
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ARESace
journeyman
Reged: 10/08/06
Posts: 6
Loc: Yorktown, Virginia
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Awesome collection. It's getting hard to even pick the bottom of the herd, much less the top. No losers here, I'd be proud to hang any as my own.
Congrats!
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DerrickL
journeyman
Reged: 08/11/07
Posts: 9
Loc: AZ
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Details on Jupiter are simply awesome!
Love the composition of Pleaides and North American Neb. too!
Why do we get all these hard decisions? 
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Kim Miau
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/17/06
Posts: 1097
Loc: Kluang, Johor, Malaysia
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It's really hard to make a decision... My vote was about given to Eric but I am more amazed by the hand sketching! Good work everyone!
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-Robin
QHY CCD
My Astronomy Blog - http://www.astronomynotes.net
Meade 8" LX90 + LPI + QHY5 + Denk's Power x Switch S2 Diagonal
More equipments @ here
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johndouk
member
Reged: 08/24/06
Posts: 24
Loc: Athens, Greece
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Another difficult choice.
Probably one of the hardest up to now...
I saw all images from the first day,
however I took some time to reach a choice.
Despite I was staring Jupiter for a quite long,
I finally went for EricCCD.
Congratulations to all finalists.
(Zyxlor you deserve an extra special!) 
Carry on my friends !
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John
______________________________
Think positive
www.AstroForum.gr
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RA-DEC
professor emeritus
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