About John Moore
John Moore (1940 – 2013)
After a distinguished career as a pilot and engineering officer in the RAF John set up the Fleet Electronics Consultancy. His expertise covered analogue circuits to complex microprocessor based solutions and as a self-employed electronics consultant, he designed a wide range of products and solutions for companies.
In 2003 a childhood interest in astronomy was revived when John bought a 5″ Maksutov Newtonian telescope. John began observing the planets but after discovering how much more detail could be captured by imaging the planets with webcams he became a keen follower of the QuickCam and Unconventional Imaging Group (QCUIAG). After modifying two webcams for long exposure he went on to help Steve Chambers with the design of the first Artemis CCD cameras and designed the PCB layouts (these were later marketed commercially by Atik Cameras as the 16 series).
Throughout this time John’s interest in deep sky imaging was growing and the quality of his images placed him amongst top echelon UK of the UK astro-imaging community. By 2013 he had established a very well equipped observatory at the heart of which was a 12” Orion ODK telescope which sat on a Paramount MX mount.
No matter how good his images, John always believed that he could achieve more and was always working to finely tune his optics. Every telescope he owned had been taken apart and put together again to his own exacting standards. His grasp of the science behind CCD imaging was more than impressive.
John became interested in light curves for variable stars and monitoring outbursts from cataclysmic variables and he shared the variable star data he collected with the professional community so that they could optimise use of their big observatories including the Hubble Space Telescope. It was this interest in cataclysmic variables that led John to develop the Photometry Express and Automation Express software to automate variable star patrols. The sophistication of his software shows that John was a man of incredible intellect, and this was just one of many astronomy-related projects that John had developed.
John was also member of the Farnham Astronomical Society where he was a valued and committed member. He was recognized for his extraordinary knowledge and ability and although his personal interests in astronomy were well in advance of most members John was a very modest, friendly and approachable person. He always took time to help and advise anyone that asked. His words of encouragement gave many members confidence to take up astro-imaging, and his suggestions always delivered improvements in the outcome. His enthusiasm was quite infectious and his opinions highly valued.
John’s personal website is still active where a wide selection of his images can be seen. As well as a selection of John’s deep sky and planetary images you will find designs and software for some of John’s other projects:
Hardware projects:
- Dew Heater Controller
- USB Autoguider:
- SBIG Opto Isolator Box
Software projects:
- Filter Wheel (to control a True Technology filter wheel in stand alone mode).
- Gemini Setup : A programme to save time setting up the Losmandy Gemini controller.
- LRGB imager for AstroArt
- A catalogue of G2V (i.e. white) stars for SkyMap Pro
- A catalogue of all 338 Arp unusual galaxies for SkyMap Pro
- A catalogue bright stars used for alignment by the Losmandy G11 for SkyMap Pro
