South Side Observatory
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Re: South Side Observatory
(Drum roll...) Here's the observatory in action! It's the first time I host a video from my Synology at-home server, you may have to click once, let me know if you have trouble viewing it.
http://haling.synology.me/photo/share/0 ... 302e4d4f56
- JayTee
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Re: South Side Observatory
As I like to say in regard to the roof operation - "just that easy, just that quick!"
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6R, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100 ∞ AP Gear: ZWO EAF and mini EFW and the Optolong L-eXteme filter
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."
- messier 111
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Re: South Side Observatory
REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .
EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .
FILTER , Nebustar 2 tele vue . Apm solar wedge . contrast booster 2 inches .
Mounts , cg-4 motorized , eq6 pro belt drive .
“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.”
― Isaac Asimov
Jean-Yves
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Re: South Side Observatory
As you can tell the skies here are pretty grey, and this has been going on for 3 weeks. Water has entered through the cracks under the walls that I have yet to seal. That's why the roof demo was done without the mount set up because of the muddy mess it is. I will post another video once the weather is good enough to have my complete setup in it.
- JayTee
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Re: South Side Observatory
Ah, the May gray has morphed into the June gloom. Sorry.
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6R, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100 ∞ AP Gear: ZWO EAF and mini EFW and the Optolong L-eXteme filter
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."
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Re: South Side Observatory
It's worse than that. Here's my reward for all the hard work:
If that were only for 1 week, OK, but it has been repetitive.
I added 4 latches to keep the roof from being blown away - 4 holes with a nail in it kept in place by a rubber band. I also discovered the right way to lift the roof straight up so it flips right in place: face the wall straight on not sideways.
I think I'm all set now except for closing the crack below the walls where water comes in. Maybe I can just live with that if I keep all accessories in plastic totes; the tripod is made of anodized aluminum that does not rust AFAIK. I'll put it on the backburner.
- KathyNS
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Re: South Side Observatory
Low tech, but effective. I like it!SkyHiker wrote: ↑Tue Jun 06, 2023 10:20 pm Today I added a missing 2x2 beam to reinforce the South wall, and added the trim to the roof panels so I won't bleed to death by accident.
(Drum roll...) Here's the observatory in action! It's the first time I host a video from my Synology at-home server, you may have to click once, let me know if you have trouble viewing it.
http://haling.synology.me/photo/share/0 ... 302e4d4f56
DSO AP: Orion 200mm f/4 Newtonian Astrograph; ATIK 383L+; EFW2 filter wheel; Astrodon Ha,Oiii,LRGB filters; KWIQ/QHY5 guide scope; Planetary AP: Celestron C-11; ZWO ASI120MC; Portable: Celestron C-8 on HEQ5 pro; C-90 on wedge; 20x80 binos; Etc: Canon 350D; Various EPs, etc. Obs: 8' Exploradome; iOptron CEM60 (pier); Helena Observatory (H2O) Astrobin
- jrkirkham
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Re: South Side Observatory
Telescopes: 50mm refractor, ED80 triplet, 90mm makcass, 10" dob, 8"SCT, 11"SCT
Mounts: Celestron CGX, Orion Sirius + several camera tripods
Cameras: Canon 6D, Canon 80D, ZWO-ASI120MC
Binoculars: 10x50, 12x60, 15x70, 25-125x80
Observatory: SkyShed POD XL3 + 8x12 warm room
AL Projects Completed: Lunar #645, Outreach #0280, Universe Sampler #93-T, Binocular Messier #871, Messier #2521, Messier Honorary #2521, Constellation Hunter Northern Skies #112, Planetary Transit Venus #1, Galileo #26, Outreach Stellar 0280, Meteor Regular #157, Solar System Telescopic #209-I, Observer Award #1
AL Projects Currently in Process: Double Stars, Comet, Lunar Evolution
- helicon Online
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Re: South Side Observatory
Couldn't see the pic. Sounds good though...KathyNS wrote: ↑Wed Jun 07, 2023 8:29 pmLow tech, but effective. I like it!SkyHiker wrote: ↑Tue Jun 06, 2023 10:20 pm Today I added a missing 2x2 beam to reinforce the South wall, and added the trim to the roof panels so I won't bleed to death by accident.
(Drum roll...) Here's the observatory in action! It's the first time I host a video from my Synology at-home server, you may have to click once, let me know if you have trouble viewing it.
http://haling.synology.me/photo/share/0 ... 302e4d4f56
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
- Juno16
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Re: South Side Observatory
Sorry about your weather. I’ve been in SB during the “gloom”.
Just curious, what direction does does the observatory face?
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
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Re: South Side Observatory
Thanks Jim. It faces South. It is all simple stupid and cheap, but it should work fine once the clouds clear.
Next week I'll be at the Kaibab star party, I bet the weather will be great when I'm gone.
- JayTee
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Re: South Side Observatory
I'm putting in a good karma fix for you so you don't drag the weather from SB out to the Kaibab!
I've always wanted to go to the Grand Canyon star party. I know you'll have fun. Maybe you can keep your winning streak going and win another piece of nice gear!
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6R, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100 ∞ AP Gear: ZWO EAF and mini EFW and the Optolong L-eXteme filter
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."
- Juno16
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Re: South Side Observatory
Your SSO looks great!
Have a great time at Kailab and looking forward to your report.
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
- Graeme1858
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Re: South Side Observatory
Often the way! It was bright sun all day here yesterday, then it clouded over right at the end of the first auto focus routine! It cleared in an hour. The SSO is looking good, looking forward to seeing your work.
Graeme
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX. Sky-Watcher Evostar-120, HEQ5
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.
https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
- helicon Online
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Re: South Side Observatory
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
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Re: South Side Observatory
I use a free domain name server from Synology (the company that makes my NAS server) that may be offline sometimes, according to some comments that I read from the Synology community. That could explain it. It works OK after all and also sends me email notifications when my system is offline for some reason.
- helicon Online
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Re: South Side Observatory
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
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Re: South Side Observatory
Clearly, there is plenty of space. I am set up with the MN152 (Comet Hunter). No doubt there is enough space for the 12" that I will try later on. The size of the walls is perfect for the mount to look over and park horizontally. I need to play around for the best location of the mount before I drill holes for some bolts that constrain the legs. I have two chairs one of which is a makeshift desk for my Droid that I am connected with to VNC running Ekos over ethernet. Maybe I will bring in the laptop later, it has a larger screen.
- Graeme1858
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Re: South Side Observatory
If you can run
Graeme
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX. Sky-Watcher Evostar-120, HEQ5
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.
https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
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Re: South Side Observatory
Ekos does it, that's what I used. The trick is to set the parking location to a recognizable spot near where you want to start the plate solving based polar alignment. I picked Vega. From there on it is PA as usual. The only difference is thag the alignment lines ar no longer perpendicular. It worked well.Graeme1858 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 18, 2023 6:07 am All the best for your first light Henk.
If you can run NINA on your laptop, it will do a polar alignment without having to see the NCP.
Graeme
I found this information on Youtube by Remco Hekker. This information is hard to find apparently, others mentioned looking for it everywhere. I had read that it was available just didn't know how. I may still do a drift alignment as a final step later on for best accuracy.
Prior to that I used a compass to position the legs as similar as possible to the markings on the driveway, my old spot. Being inside a steel enclosure you have to find a spot where the compass seems to work, and it worked well enough just eyeballing it. The Alt adjuster was barely within its limits so I'll reposition the tripod next time and redo the PA.
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