The Derrick Observatory Database is a social system being designed for use during optical astronomy observation sessions. Users using a country wide cellular wireless network or their local internet connection will be able to make and store observations by telescope, add new telescopes to their account, create a “Local Group” or a friends group in order to add current members to a group observation roster.

We are testing the observation entry during observations at the Painter Hall 9" Refractor Telescope on the University of Texas at Austin campus and a small 4.5” Reflector Telescope for remote observations. Feel free to explore the Past Observations or the Object Lists.

The site is currently in the design and development phase and has limited functionality. As new parts come online, they will be listed in the news and alert section. Account creation/setup is currently down. If you have any questions please send me an email at michael@derrickpublishing.com

08Dec07 @ 23:00 - 02:00 - Painter Hall Telescope Night. (Rain Out)

10Dec07 @ 23:00 - 02:00 - Painter Hall Telescope Night. (Rain Out)

Painter Hall 9" Refractor @ UT Closed for Winter Break. Should open mid January

12Dec07 @ 21:30 - Updated observation script to allow edit and delete.

12Dec07 @ 22:45 - Completed outlining the opening procedures of the Painter Hall 9" Refractor Telescope.

24Dec07 @ 8:32 - Planet Mars may be in line for an impact with the 50m Asteroid 2007 WD5 near or on 30Jan2007. The chances of a collision are at about 75 to one. Some scientists predict that an impact would create a mile wide crater near the equator of the planet. 2007 WD5, they believe, is similar in size and composition to the asteroid that impacted in Siberia in 1908. On November 1st, 2007, 2007 WD5 passed within 7.5 million kilometers or 0.0467 A.U.s of Earth.

19Jan08 @ 10:34 - NASA Scientists have determined that the chance of a Mars impact by asteroid WD5-2007 is 0.0%.

19Jan08 @ 22:00 - Painter Hall Telescope Night. Weather is a go.

20Jan08 @ 12:57 - New Photographs have been uploaded.

30Jan08 @ 22:00 - Painter Hall Telescope Night.

Title: 3 Sept 2009: Start of 2009 - 10 Viewing Season - (Painter Hall 9 Inch Refractor)

Observers: MDerrick, GTraugott, Group Observation

Observation: Thursday, 03Sept09 @ 9:00pm (21:00). Painter Hall 9" Refractor Scope. 99% Full Waxing Gibbous Moon. 50% Cloud Cover. Fires in CA might obstruct the view (might also act as a filter for viewing the moon). 30% Chance of Showers. Temps in the lower 70's.

Title: 23 Oct 2008: Adromeda - (Painter Hall 9 Inch Refractor)

Observers: MDerrick, Group Observation,

Observation: Fuzzy cloud... clear night