Posts

Prime focus vs. eyepiece projection

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Since the moon is back at a normal hour, I could do some more experiments with astrophotography. Below a comparison between prime focus and 9.7mm eyepiece projection photograph of the moon using an Meade ETX-90EC. Disappointing result for the latter, since a digital zoom on the prime focus photo is much more clear.

Astrophotography

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If you are following me on Facebook or Google+, you probably noticed that lately I have been less busy with chess programming . Instead I have been spending  free time at my Meade ETX-90EC telescope getting familiar with astrophotography . Here are some of my first pictures using prime focus configuration (single shot manual exposure, using mirror lockup and remote control to minimize vibrations).  I really like the clarity of the moon picture and was happy seeing the ring of Saturn so clearly. I also tried eyepiece projection configuration , but found this extremely challenging. Due to the inherent light loss at higher magnifications, it is very hard to find and focus the object (hints from experienced astrophotographers welcome!). Today I have been experimenting with the different configurations during daytime. Below you see some sample pictures of my neighbors house number sign, taken with the camera's 300mm telelens for reference and three ETX configurations (n

More chessbase compatible engines

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More engines were added to the Chessbase compatible engines for Android package . Many thanks to the engine authors for their explicit permission.

Chessbase compatible engines continued

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I am about to release a next version of Chess for Android that recognizes engines in the Chessbase compatible format discussed in the previous blog posting. The new version is available as direct download or from Google Play . With this release, all engines installed in this format (either the engines that ship with the Chessbase for Android application itself, or engines installed in this format, such as my own Engines.apk package) are available for direct import in Chess for Android as well as in the latest Chessbase for Android . Together with sharing capabilities, this greatly enhances the 'chess ecosystem' on Android, since chess GUIs can now be used interchangeably in a much simpler manner. As before, engines authors that want to be included in the package can drop me an email.

Chessbase compatible engines

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Chessbase announced UCI engine support in Chessbase for Android too. Great news! I have packaged some chess engines in Chessbase compatible format so that they are directly available in that application. I will also release a new version of Chess for Android that supports this format to keep the chess ecosystem complete. Simply download and install my Chess Engines Package, available at  Google Play . For now, the package only contains a few engines, but any chess author that wants to be included is welcome to drop me an email with permission to include the binary in the application.