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Helena Observatory (re)build

Last post by KathyNS « Fri Apr 19, 2024 3:14 pm
Replies: 74
by KathyNS » Thu Aug 03, 2023 8:32 pm
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It is time to start my thread on the (re)build of the Helena Observatory. It was formerly the Hall's Harbour Observatory, and before that the Baie...

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Here's the manual:

Graeme

Thanks for that link, Graeme. The manual is less clear than it ought to be, but is a vast improvement over the...
74 Replies

5966 Views

Last post by KathyNS
Fri Apr 19, 2024 3:14 pm
My personal observatory Project.

Last post by AstroBee « Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:13 pm
Replies: 71
by AstroBee » Fri Apr 14, 2023 2:38 am
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We have to start somewhere, so here we go.
For the past several years since the beginning of the pandemic, I've wanted to do this. Instead, we...

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Looks great. Hoping it brings some nice clear nights.

It seems as though all it has brought so far is clouds, winds, and my work schedule has...
71 Replies

5311 Views

Last post by AstroBee
Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:13 pm
My Place In Space - GifNet.US - A Private Observatory

Last post by chris_g « Fri Mar 15, 2024 2:10 am
Replies: 6
by chris_g » Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:02 am

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Well Folks,

As I mentioned in my welcome post, I'm back. Maybe not as much as I was in the past, but for the time being, I am back. First, the...

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I am very happy for you .

Thank you,

Found a place where I want to slow down at. Just getting work to cooperate just as little bit would be nice...

6 Replies

368 Views

Last post by chris_g
Fri Mar 15, 2024 2:10 am
Upgrade my observatory

Last post by Lady Fraktor « Sat Mar 02, 2024 10:51 am
Replies: 89
by Altocumulus » Fri Sep 29, 2023 8:42 am
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I currently have a, roughly, 1.2mx1.2m wooden shed that rolls off to the north. It's about 2m high and undergone numerous iterations over the last 5...

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That looks really good Geoff!
I hope you get a lot of use from it.
89 Replies

6791 Views

Last post by Lady Fraktor
Sat Mar 02, 2024 10:51 am
The Final Piece to the Rimrock Observatory

Last post by JayTee « Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:13 pm
Replies: 9
by JayTee » Mon Nov 27, 2023 11:14 pm

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It has now been a full year since the opening of the Rimrock Observatory. It's quite an exceptional feeling to be able to go out to your own...

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How much snow do you get? Normally, around 2' total (650mm) is delivered throughout the winter. Last year was exceptional. By this time last year, I...

9 Replies

913 Views

Last post by JayTee
Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:13 pm
South Side Observatory

Last post by helicon « Sat Nov 18, 2023 3:39 pm
Replies: 83
by SkyHiker » Sat May 06, 2023 12:45 am
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As of today, I had a storage shed for items that I have not cared to look at for 15 years. Having seen it decomposing, the time is right to replace...

Last post

Thanks for the info, not so big of a problem after all. Good luck with it. There are at least a few folks with observatories here. I saw a white...
83 Replies

8961 Views

Last post by helicon
Sat Nov 18, 2023 3:39 pm
Avery Way Observatory

Last post by JayTee « Sat Sep 30, 2023 7:38 pm
Replies: 13
by Graeme1858 » Wed Sep 27, 2023 5:39 pm

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I got one of those gate opening motor sets a while ago but never got round to installing it. Until now! This week I bought a 3m length of hard wood...

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but it will be useful to close it with the press of a button at the end of the session instead of stumbling about in the dark! I hear that!

13 Replies

1100 Views

Last post by JayTee
Sat Sep 30, 2023 7:38 pm
Observatory FOV / wall clearance simulation script

Last post by Altocumulus « Thu Sep 28, 2023 2:21 pm
Replies: 5
by SkyHiker » Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:03 pm

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If you are building a roll-off observatory and are wondering what clearance you have (between the walls, FOV over the walls) for a given position and...

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I'm hoping I've got something suitable - it seems sensible on paper, brain and this!
2 mounts on tripods - longest 'scope is my solar f11 which comes...

5 Replies

805 Views

Last post by Altocumulus
Thu Sep 28, 2023 2:21 pm
In Search of Dark Skies - My Search Is Over - GifNet.US Observatory

Last post by JayTee « Tue Aug 22, 2023 6:44 pm
Replies: 56
by chris_g » Thu Jun 15, 2023 3:43 pm
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Hello all,

I can speak with 99.9% confidence that I will be closing on my new home in northeastern rural Louisiana in about a month. I'm trading a...

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Now, I have no excuses for poopy data.
Hi Chris,

No one likes poopy data!
56 Replies

5631 Views

Last post by JayTee
Tue Aug 22, 2023 6:44 pm
Decommissioning Hall's Harbour Observatory

Last post by KathyNS « Thu Aug 03, 2023 9:53 pm
Replies: 19
by KathyNS » Thu Jun 22, 2023 10:38 pm

First post

Decommissioning an observatory is almost as much work as setting it up. All the scopes and cameras had to be stowed in their cases. All the little...

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Looking forward to following the re-commissioning thread!

Graeme

...and here it is: The Helena Observatory (re)build

19 Replies

1834 Views

Last post by KathyNS
Thu Aug 03, 2023 9:53 pm
Rimrock's Newest Accessories

Last post by messier 111 « Sat Jun 17, 2023 12:31 am
Replies: 3
by JayTee » Sun Feb 12, 2023 4:56 am

First post

I have an old Dell Latitude laptop that was designated for Observatory use but it needed upgrading. The drive was full and too small and the machine...

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wow love it , thx .

3 Replies

1033 Views

Last post by messier 111
Sat Jun 17, 2023 12:31 am
The humble beginning of a new observatory - GifNet.US

Last post by Graeme1858 « Thu Jun 15, 2023 5:29 pm
Replies: 29
by chris_g » Tue Apr 04, 2023 2:23 pm
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Hello all,

I just ordered the Smart Astronomy ClearView Observatory Tent, it has an 8 foot diameter and should be enough room to set up two scopes...

Last post

All the very best of luck for the next part of your journey!

Regards

Graeme
29 Replies

3708 Views

Last post by Graeme1858
Thu Jun 15, 2023 5:29 pm
Building ROR Observatory. Roof design question

Last post by JayTee « Sun May 21, 2023 10:58 pm
Replies: 2
by ScopeJunkie » Sun May 21, 2023 1:58 am

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I’ve done a lot of research and purchased SkyShed plans to help me design my observatory. I still have one question that seems to generate a variety...

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The other more complicated answer is to calculate the weight of the roof then treat it as a lifting body. Do the math as to how much force it takes...

2 Replies

711 Views

Last post by JayTee
Sun May 21, 2023 10:58 pm
Making the ExploraDome rotate easier

Last post by John Fitzgerald « Wed Mar 08, 2023 2:25 am
Replies: 9
by John Fitzgerald » Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:40 pm

First post

This is what I found before my wheel change a few months ago:

Depending on the position of my ExploraDome, it took between 10 and 25 pounds of...

Last post

I have worked on, and tweaked my dome rotation some more. With some new wheels, spacers, and bearings, and trial and error, it now rotates so easily,...

9 Replies

1285 Views

Last post by John Fitzgerald
Wed Mar 08, 2023 2:25 am
connecting and powering up

Last post by Gordon « Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:57 pm
Replies: 1
by JeffBevan » Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:02 pm

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What is the procedure or consensus on powering up your observatory when running remotely. It seems as if each device has its own peculiarities in...

Last post

I normally plug everything in on the remote location, then turn on the power, and finally turn on the computer. So far I haven't had any issues...

1 Replies

924 Views

Last post by Gordon
Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:57 pm
Rain sensor

Last post by SparWeb « Mon Nov 28, 2022 6:39 am
Replies: 21
by KathyNS » Sat Sep 26, 2020 1:48 pm
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I have been using a wet-leaf water sensor to detect rain, in order to auto-close my dome if the weather tanks. It is reliable and sensitive, and it...

Last post

Thanks for confirming. I expected things like snow and hoarfrost would confuse it, but then again, those are conditions where you want to button up...
21 Replies

21319 Views

Last post by SparWeb
Mon Nov 28, 2022 6:39 am
Mike's Low-Budget Home Observatory (WIP)

Last post by Rasalgethi « Sun Nov 27, 2022 6:12 pm
Replies: 51
by chartram » Mon May 31, 2021 1:15 am
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Hello everyone!

I am SUPER excited to finally be in the beginning stages of my low-budget, low-tech DIY roll-off! Hopefully, documenting my progress...

Last post

Guess what I am trying to say is that this is the best $1,845 I've spent on this hobby- this shed has more than paid for itself in its first year of...
51 Replies

35000 Views

Last post by Rasalgethi
Sun Nov 27, 2022 6:12 pm
How to automate my Exploradome

Last post by JeffBevan « Sat Nov 12, 2022 2:32 pm
Replies: 39
by ic_1101 » Mon Nov 02, 2020 2:29 pm
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Hi all. I was fortunate to have found a used 8’ Exploradome at a good price. It certainly will make my winter imaging more enjoyable. However I do...

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I have gone down this path as well. My dome is entirely home built and as such my dome rings are plastic (lexan) easily purchased as 4'x8' sheets...
39 Replies

33523 Views

Last post by JeffBevan
Sat Nov 12, 2022 2:32 pm
It's Finally Time To Build My Observatory

Last post by chartram « Wed Nov 09, 2022 10:09 am
Replies: 118
by JayTee » Mon May 23, 2022 7:52 pm
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Greetings,

It's finally time to start building my observatory. This observatory incorporates a unique design feature. One that I have yet to find on...

Last post

Fantastic build JT! Wishing you many clear skies and endless enjoyment!

Mike
118 Replies

18261 Views

Last post by chartram
Wed Nov 09, 2022 10:09 am
Backyard Resin Roll Off Roof Observatory

Last post by chartram « Mon Oct 10, 2022 6:42 pm
Replies: 13
by Kerry C. » Mon Sep 19, 2022 10:43 pm

First post

I thought I would give a progress update on my roll off roof observatory. First off this is not my own brainchild of using prebuilt resin sheds as a...

Last post

Very nice work!

13 Replies

2650 Views

Last post by chartram
Mon Oct 10, 2022 6:42 pm
Combatting mildew and corrosion

Last post by SkyHiker « Wed Sep 14, 2022 7:22 pm
Replies: 5
by 47Tuc » Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:29 am

First post

In my roll-off roof observatory, I'm getting some mildew on wood and corrosion on metal parts of my equipment (such as counterweights). There are no...

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Have you tried hanging a large towel over your equipment? It works for me, at least sometimes. Maybe because it keeps the equipment a bit from...

5 Replies

1756 Views

Last post by SkyHiker
Wed Sep 14, 2022 7:22 pm
How to get my exploradome to sync with scope and I use Asiair plus

Last post by KathyNS « Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:01 am
Replies: 6
by Astro Cat NM » Thu Jul 14, 2022 3:52 pm

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Hello everyone first time poster here. I have an exploradome that is automated, Foster System, dome pro 2. I would like to know how I can get my dome...

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If you were running ASCOM on Windows, I could help you. I have software that will synchronize the dome to the mount, but it requires ASCOM. I know...

6 Replies

1611 Views

Last post by KathyNS
Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:01 am
A blast from the past

Last post by Johnny Carter « Sat Jun 18, 2022 6:47 pm
Replies: 9
by OzEclipse » Wed May 18, 2022 12:46 am

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I unearthed some old not very good quality prints that were taken in April 1986. During the apparition of Halley's comet, I went and stayed at Mt...

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Loved the story and pics, made me think of where I was in those times, I went through a big career change back then.

9 Replies

2026 Views

Last post by Johnny Carter
Sat Jun 18, 2022 6:47 pm
My makeshift observatory

Last post by pakarinen « Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:29 pm
Replies: 7
by omeek » Thu Apr 14, 2022 10:17 pm

First post

So now that I'm all settled in at my new place I figured out the easiest and cheapest way to get my observing spot going for now. After trying a few...

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I'd like to have a pad but the HOA says, Nein! , so my deck will have to do. I sank three concrete blocks in the backyard when I was a kid to set my...

7 Replies

1834 Views

Last post by pakarinen
Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:29 pm
Suggested domes or roll-off observatory plans.

Last post by KathyNS « Sun Mar 06, 2022 6:52 pm
Replies: 3
by helicon » Sun Mar 06, 2022 3:36 pm

First post

As I am not getting younger, but rather turn 52 at the end of the month I'm getting interested in observatories so I don't have to haul out the Dob...

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I have an 8' Exploradome, with a wooden building made from the Exploradome plans. I am quite happy with it.

3 Replies

1670 Views

Last post by KathyNS
Sun Mar 06, 2022 6:52 pm

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