Martin LEHKÝ
Hradec Králové - Czech Republic
I was born 1972 in Hradec Králové - Czech Republic. In spring
of 1992 I finished studies by leaving examination with a view to a machine
engineering in secondary school in small town Nový Bydžov. At present I
have been working in business, nevertheless I have enough free time for
my hobby. And about ninety percent of this time I devote to astronomy.
I think that I dont't live already without "king's science".
All began when I attended elementary school. At small home library I found
two books, "Vesmír, Země, člověk a my děti" (Universe, Earth, a man and we
children) and "Obloha na dlani" (Sky on the open hand). They both me were
interesting and aroused curiosity to astronomy.
I visited often programmes for
public in local astronomical observatory and looked for further
informations and news. In April 1987 I joined "Klubu přátel astronomie a
kosmonautiky" (Club of friends of astronomy and astronautics), which led
Karel Bejček. The observatory door little opened for me and here started
my epoch of practical astronomy. I learned use of telescopes, looked for
various simply deep-sky objects (as M31 And, M42 Ori, M27 Vul, ...). My
first preserving observation, more or less usefull, originated from this
period. During autumn came bright comet 1987s BRADFIELD. I didn't know
how to make estimation of brightness, but I made the drawing and short
description of comet appearance. The sight at comet was very impressive
and very influenced on me for future.
"Astronomická
společnost v Hradci Králové" (Astronomical society in Hradec Králové)
was established in 1990 which took up again on tradition of original
Astronomical society established 1929. During communist régime original
society didn't exist as independent. In 1950 fusion came with "Česká
astronomická společnost" (Czech astronomical society) where old local
society abolished and lost all own possession. Establishing members of
new society was Josef Bartoška, Karel Bejček, Luděk Dlabola, Martin
Cholasta a Martin Lehký. Majority of further members issued from former
club.
0.2-m refractor (state 1999)
In the same year I began to work at local astronomical
observatory. I guided public as external worker. I had unlimited access to
observatory and every clear night I could use 0.20-m refractor f/17 for
visual observing, 0.42-m Schmidt telescope for photographing and many
smaller instruments. This good state continued till first half of 1997.
I had wordy conflict with comrade director and I left observatory. Among
others the director had been proclaiming: "This observatory is cultural
institution and any observations or publications are undesirable". And
one pearl: "Astronomy does not pertain to the observatory". Fortunately
ASHK is independent on observatory (In lease ASHK have a small observing
house near of observatory and several smaller instruments only.) and
therefore I could continued in astronomy. Possibly I profited by
departure. I began to use 0.42-m reflector on dobsonian mount which ASHK bought with
contribution of town Hradec Králové not long ago. With biggest telescope
in hand large space opened for observing, till this time unsuspected ...
According to needs I established contacts with associations and also
individuals which brought many good things. Quick transfer of
informations, exchange of experiences in theory and mainly practice, ...
1989 APO Amatérská
Prohlídka Oblohy - Amateur Sky Survey
Mainly description of deep-sky objects
(Jiří Dušek, Marek Kolasa)
1990 ASHK
Astronomická společnost v Hradci Králové - Astronomical Society
in Hradec Králové (Martin Cholasta).
POVĚTROŇ member's magazine.
1991 TA
The Astronomer - British society (Guy M Hurst)
1992 ICQ
International Comet Quarterly (Daniel W E Green)
1993 SMPH - Společnost pro meziplanetární hmotu - Society for
interplanetary matter (Vladimír Znojil), previously Sekce
meziplanetární hmoty při ČAS - ČAS section of interplanetary
matter.
WHAT I OBSERVE ???
At first I was versatile. I made description of deep-sky objects, drawings
of Sun spots, planet Jupiter, Mars and Venus, observed telescopic meteors,
measured time of stars occultations by Moon (station SZ 176) and stars by
minor planets also (both visually only), estimated brightness of novae,
supernovae, AGNs, comets, ... I had occasion to try astrophotography. It
stands to reason that to do all together is impossible. During certain
time I gave up a some activity and some other ones I limited to minimum.
Today at first position there are estimates brightness of comets and other (as novae,
supernovae, AGNs, ...) are reduced to remaining time.
Till May 2002 I observed 135 comets (3 short-term comet during two
perihels) and I made 2177 visual observations, plus 34 negative
estimations of brightness (when the comet wasn't seen) and 10 independent
descriptions of comets. Very big rise of comets observations came not long
ago. Reason ? It is very simply. I have access to the biggest telescope.
Communication is very quick by internet. In the present I can observe new
comet etc. several hours after publication of discovery. Third great
reason is amount new stars catalogues. Once I had accessible the SAO
catalog only with stars to 9th and 10th magnitudes. In the present the
situation is more better. Catalogues TI, GSC, HIP, USNO have reach in
magnitudes up over bounds of usual visual observations. Very important it
is easy accessibility of Palomar Sky Survey (DSS Digital Sky Survey) on
the CD discs. This pictures of the sky are sometimes usefull for
identification of faint and very slowly motions comets.
WHERE AND HOW I OBSERVE ???
The more often I use site of ASHK near Hradec Králové observatory. This
observing house is situated on kopci Svatého Jána - St.John Hill
(277 m.o.s.) close to south outside of the town (with over 100 000
inhabitants). Conditions for observing are ordinaly there. When the sky is
clear without Moon the limit magnitude is about 5.8 mag. (sometimes 6.3)
on the average. Only the northern part of the sky is enough disturbing by
light pollution.
In the observing house two instruments are installed. 0.11-m f/15
refractor and 0.42-m (mirror 0.60-m) Schmidt telescope (in the present out
of work). At disposal there are also some portable instruments. Famous
0.42-m f/5 reflector on the dobsonian mount, binoculars Somet 25x100, ...
Unfortunately I live at northern part of town at Slezské suburb about 7 km
from observatory. This distance I must pass by town transport, but it goes
very little during the night and from terminus I must go on foot about 1
km). Therefore I often go by bicycle, mainly in the summer. I got this
bike in Christmas when I attended fourth class of elementary school.
Arrival to observing site of ASHK (fruit garden) - The Hradec Králové
observatory and planetarium in background.
0.42-m reflector
Installation of 0.42-m reflector (f/5) on the dobsonian mount is very
simply even for one people (provided is enough stout). Wooden tube is
folded up from three pieces. Two of them are sliding and every of them is
ensured by four screws. The most often used magnifications are x81 and
x162. Maximum profitable magnification is x263.
Several views to inside of 0.42-m reflector ...
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