Welcome to NEMETODE

Frank Johns has had a general interest in all things astronomical for a very long time but it wasn’t until he retired that he was able to become actively involved.

Initially this was limited to general observing but the more technical aspects soon took a greater interest especially after the construction of his observatory: The DWO. Inevitably getting to grips with astrophotography was the first learning curve to climb up but he had a desire to undertake some form of astronomical data-collection that might have a use to the wider astronomy community, preferably contributing in a small way to pro-am activities. This led to undertaking spectroscopy, which provided yet another even steeper learning curve.

Recently, at the 2015 BAA Winchester Weekend, there was a paper given on meteor capture and analysis, which sparked his imagination and so with great help from William Stewart, a camera was installed and set in operation in Newquay, so widening the coverage over the British Isles. With the first camera aimed to the NW it creates an overlap with cameras in Ireland.

Frank is a member of Kernow Astronomers, his local society, and is on the council of the Federation of Astronomical Societies (FAS), being the Editor of the FAS Newsletter and its Annual Handbook. Frank’s website is: www.frankjohns.uk

In time for the peak of the 2016 Perseid meteor shower, Frank commissioned a ziggurat design for his four camera system, providing excellent ablation layer coverage to the north and west of his location.