SIGforum
Observatory is Built...Big Picture Warning
April 18, 2017, 06:26 PM
nhtagmemberObservatory is Built...Big Picture Warning
just finished installing the dome about an hour ago.
all of the interior electrical and lighting is done, it gets tied to the house tomorrow
telescope gets installed next week
can't wait to get first light
I have a photo log of the construction but I need to reduce all the pictures in size.
[B] Against ALL enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC
April 18, 2017, 06:31 PM
StorminNorminThat is very cool! I would love to be able to check out stars and planets with something like that.
NRA Benefactor Life Member April 18, 2017, 06:37 PM
cjevansWowie!!!! Now that's a man shed right there.

A lot of hours are soon to be spent, stargazing ... sigh.
We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~ Benjamin Franklin.
"If anyone in this country doesn't minimise their tax, they want their head read, because as a government, you are not spending it that well, that we should be donating extra...:
Kerry Packer
SIGForum: the island of reality in an ocean of diarrhoea. April 18, 2017, 06:39 PM
Johnny 3eaglesHow deep did you pour concrete for the scope mount?
If you're goin' through hell, keep on going.
Don't slow down. If you're scared don't show it.
You might get out before the devil even knows you're there.
NRA ENDOWMENT LIFE MEMBER
April 18, 2017, 06:42 PM
sigmonkeyIt's pointed the wrong way...
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב! April 18, 2017, 06:52 PM
nhtagmemberthe footers are 3' X 3' X 3' with rebar, and then adobe block to raise the deck to 18" minimum above the grade
the slope of the land actually drops almost 12" across the diagonal.
The telescope pier itself is separate and there is a hole in the floor so I can walk around inside the building and not shake the telescope. I need to get the steel pier constructed but won't know the height of the tube column until I get the scope inside.
It needs another coat of black paint on the inside to kill all the reflections.
once I get power to the shed, there will be a motor that will control the dome so it will actually follow the telescope and always keep the shutter open to the target.
[B] Against ALL enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC
April 18, 2017, 07:11 PM
walkinghorseNow that is cool!
Having to get the telescope inside before to confirm height so you can finish the tube (concrete?) for the telescope base? Tight quarters for doing this work around the telescope, potential for damage?
Just curious cause it appears that you have already put a lot of time and effort into this!
Jim
April 18, 2017, 08:12 PM
nhtagmemberyes, sounds a bit counter-intuitive but I need to find out how high to make the column so that the polar axis has a line of sight to Polaris - and it also needs to be high enough so that I don't mask too much of the horizon
I can guess to within about 6 inches but I want it to be as accurate as I can get it
[B] Against ALL enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC
April 18, 2017, 08:12 PM
Sunset_VaAaah, Tyco Brahe.....
美しい犬
April 18, 2017, 08:15 PM
bald1When do you anticipate / plan "first light"? Any target goals for it?
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April 18, 2017, 08:19 PM
6gunsLooking good, Greg! Keep us updated!
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April 18, 2017, 08:24 PM
nhtagmemberhaven't thought that far ahead for targets
easy one - Jupiter
tougher - maybe Andromeda
who knows
I do want to do an entire Messier list
[B] Against ALL enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC
April 18, 2017, 08:26 PM
ShouldBFishinWow! That's really neat!
April 18, 2017, 08:42 PM
bendableWho knew that they had hunky male models in Arizona ?
anything in the plans for cooling that ?
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April 18, 2017, 08:57 PM
rock185Now that is something! Looks nearly as big as the one at Phoenix College when I took astronomy many years ago.
NRA Life
April 18, 2017, 09:07 PM
Skins2881quote:
Originally posted by ShouldBFishin:
Wow! That's really neat!
Yeah, freaking awesome!
I'd be happy with a $400 Tasco and a place away from city lights.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis April 18, 2017, 09:09 PM
jhe888Nice.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything. April 18, 2017, 09:10 PM
TigerDoreVery nice work! Cannot wait to see the telescope installed.
April 18, 2017, 09:15 PM
10X-ShooterReally nice. I'm a bit envious.
April 18, 2017, 09:16 PM
SigmanicLooks like some fun evenings ahead!