Welcome to the homepage of the Merriott Astronomy and Meteorology Centre, also combining Merriott Radar Meteor Detection Station.
I am an amateur astronomy photographer, based in South Somerset, UK, but due to the lack of viewable sky I have at home most of my work is undertaken at the Norman Lockyer Observatory in Sidmouth, Devon. I have always had an interest in Astronomy and it's associated sciences but never actually took the time to pursue this as a hobby.

In 2005 I bought a cheap Tasco telescope as Mars was in opposition (in astronomical terms very close to the Earth) and had some great views whilst Mars was visible, also the Moon was a fascinating target to while away the hours, but this scope could never look deeper into space at far off distant Galaxies and Nebulae and my enthusiasm waned, and the scope was sold.

Then in 2010 I saw a computerised telescope on TV and immediately had to have one, little did I know how deep the bug bites when it gets you and since then most of my leisure time is taken up with either imaging (when the clouds move away!) or with other aspects of astronomy and learning all about this amazing sky above us.

In the middle of 2011 I installed a Weather station system at my home and this records and uploads data online not only to this website but to other international weather recording websites.

Later in 2011 I also decided to join another group at the Observatory, the Radio Meteor Detection group, and after some helpful advice and instructions I purchased the necessary equipment. This system can actually detect meteoroids entering the Earth's atmosphere day or night, rain or shine so keeps me busy when the sky is too cloudy for astro-imaging. The system also records data and uploads the detection screens onto this website 24/7. At the moment I also collate all of the detection station images onto this website, although bigger and brighter things are expected of this system in the near future.

Throughout this site are many of my astronomy images, captured by myself since beginning astro-photography in June 2010.
Please look around and let me know what you think, Dave.