Amateur observatories

manufactured observatories

thud — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:37:13 GMT

Does anyone have any experience with AstroGizmo's AstroGazer or Sky Shed's SkyPod?

thanks,

thud

pier

thud — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:55:50 GMT

What diameter of pier would be proper if I use reinforced concrete to support a c6r-gt, 5 to 6 feet above ground and 3 feet buried? My yard has more aggregate in it than Sea-Tac International's runways.

thanx Bill

observatory

thud — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:59:48 GMT

I've deciced to build my own observatory. I want to house my cr6-gt. I guess my first order of business is designing a pier. Any ideas? Figure I've got all fall and winter to put this on paper.Have'nt decided between a dome or roll-off roof yet, I'm not sure it will matter.

thanx Bill

Hunting down internet observatories

Tuiliq — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:47:22 GMT

Hi, gang.

I'm doing a research project and term paper on through-the-Internet telescopes available to the public. I have found a few services already, but I'm sure I've missed a bunch.

Here are the ones I've found so far:

Global Rent-A-Scope (GRAS): http://www.global-rent-a-scope.com/
Cherry Mountain Observatory: http://cherrymountainobservatory.com/home.html
SLOOH: http://www.slooh.com/?gclid=COmg0sH7iJYCFQ-kiQodnjhQFg
Seeing in the Dark: http://www.pbs.org/seeinginthedark/explore-the-sky/internet-telescope.html
Space Grant Internet Telescope Network: http://sgitn.space.edu/f1_Observatory Access/index.php
Phoenix-10: http://www.spacetoday.org/DeepSpace/Telescopes/Internet.html
Kitanomaru Internet Telescope (KIT): http://atlas.riken.jp/kit/e_KIT_Home.html
Student Telescope Network (STN): http://mysite.du.edu/~rstencel/stn.htm
NASA SkyView: http://skyview.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/titlepage.pl
Northwest Astronomy Group (NWAG): http://www.marcchamberlin.com/telescope

I'm specifically looking for online scopes that can be useful for serious amateur research (you'll note that not all the services in my list meet that criterion, but I am trying to be exhaustive at first and then narrow my list down once I know what's out there).

Can anyone point me at observatories, scopes or services I've missed?

Thanks loads!

--Kelly Graves

An inexpensive solution for backyard ambient light blocking....

crsrs — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:50:31 GMT

I live in an area Southeast of Phoenix, far enough away to have some darker skies over my head in my backyard. My neighborhood has very few street lights, and the ones that are installed are of the light pollution conscious variety pointing straight down, but the garage lights from neighbors homes are a problem for viewing. So after considering many different options...I cam up with a solution I wanted to share incase someone else has the same dellema.

I got a portable gazebo from Walmart, (the kind that can stand up independantly). It's a 9X9 for only $54.00. I setup the frame, and drape black shower curtains over the top of the walls. I have included a photo for you here. I works perfectly for keeping me in the dark!

You can go here for the photo http://roadrunnerband.shutterfly.com/27

Thinking about building a observatory

Clubman35 — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:56:47 GMT

I've been thinking about building one in my backyard. I just don't know if it would be worth it. I live about12 miles north of Downtown Detroit, and it's really bright at night. Would an observatory be of much help for light pollution? I mean, it's not like it's going to cut down on the light.It would be nice to have some shelter from the cold winter winds though.

Thank-

Jim

Just Broke Ground on a 3.5 m Diameter Domed Observatory

Oriontaage — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:36:36 GMT

Hi,

I just broke ground on a 3.5 meter diameter domed observatory. I'm documenting the project as it progresses. Anyone interested can find some details on my web pages (address in signature or use the below link). So far I've poured the pier and started staking out the base. I hope to have the base framed in this weekend. I will update my web page as constuction progresses.

http://www.astronomyasylum.com/observatory.html

Bill

Moving this forum

Karri Ferron — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:27:56 GMT

Hi all,

We're doing some reorganizing of some areas of the Forums tomorrow morning, so I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that by noon CDT Friday, August 7, the Amateur Observatories forum will be moved from the Astro Imaging area to the Equipment area.

Thanks!

Karri

Tranquility Base Here

stars4life — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:44:54 GMT

Hey all.... I just settled (at 11:00 this morning) on 5 acres with a freshly rehabbed 3 bedroom trailer at the Delaware Bay Shore. This is to become among other things... the home of my Astronomy Retreat/Observatory and future (early?) retirement place!

It's been 5 years in the searching. I looked in the mountains of Pa, W. Virginia, and the pine barrens of South Jersey. My check list for this search was about 10 items long... Primary to any property being considered was reasonably dark skies. Naturally cost, taxes, maintenance, accessibility, other things of interest for me to do there... and more had their places on the list (sadly cost being above dark skies... ; (. Also… knowing it was the place I’d been looking for was important, and this place has that nailed. There were hawks and turkeys in my yard today for God’s sake. NATURE!!!

Last year, for a number of reasons I stopped considering places more than 3 hours from where I own my primary residence. Before that I almost bought 15 acres w/farm house in upstate Pa, walking distance to a huge lake and very dark… (that deal fell through when it became obvious that the septic system was shot and... as-is... which meant at least $25,000 extra from me). I also saw many other nice places that I almost made offers on, but one thing or another was problematic about each of them (like 2 acres, a kinda new log cabin, on a 4000ft mountain top w/three sides of 25 mile views... $100,000... in W. Virginia... but 25 Miles to town..... Dude, that's a long drive for bread and milk).

Anyway... There are 2 great condition sheds on this property, one will house my 17.5 Discovery Dob for the foreseeable future, I’ll put a pad in front of it to accommodate the scope and step ladder. The other shed is a 12x30 wood working shop w/electric. I will be building a dog house w/pier for my 6" Meade until I have time to build a domed observatory for the planned big fork-mount scope. We’ll see how things go on that, I decided to go with a dome for sure but I'm in no rush. I need time at the place, in the dark to get the feel for exactly how to proceed.

Skies there are 6 mag, and cloudless nights are in the higher than average rate for New Jersey. With a 20 minute boat ride I can get to a beach w/6.5 mag skies... For those special dark sky events! It's that point SSE. No roads lead to there, but I want to try camping that point sometime for a meteor shower.

It's not a perfect site. There is a single street light to the south and in plain site of where I plan to setup. It’s at the edge of my property and it shall be addressed. Also, there is a smallish town 2 miles due south, and being a coastal boating village will be lit up during the warmer months I guess. Let’s not forget the bugs... The Jersey Bird, aka, the Mosquito. Having camped in the area over the years, it can be rough, but far from unbearable with preparation and spray.

The G E image above shows the area looking dead south, w/a pin in the Tranquility Base. 25 miles away in the top left is Cape May NJ, small light dome in the summer I think… The land mass top right is Delaware. Dover is 20 miles SW and puts up a 10 degree light dome as I guesstimated one clear night at the property.

Who can guess what my post title will be when I get Dobbie set up down there? Think… Tranquility Base here…

Wish me luck.

Our forum policies, including no advertising (updated July 8, 2009)

Karri Ferron — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:00:45 GMT

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Pier design help!

ripperj — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:23:03 GMT

I am in the design/ acquire materials stage of building a home observatory. I am excited but have reached a stumbling point(the start!)

I have a design in mind, but can't start construction until I get the Pier/foundation logistics figured out.

Basically due to the layout of my yard and location of my house/ big shed, I have decided on the following:

1) 10'x10'x14' h wood addition to my 12x16 x 14h shed.-the structure will sit on blocks(like the shed)

2) explora-dome on top with explora-dome roof panels(have dome and roof in yard :) )

3) A warm room(10x10x7h) will be in the first floor, with a north facing door(full size) leading to a small deck.

4) the obs will be above the warm room and the base of the dome will be even with the ridgeline of the shed. south facing short door, accessed by steps from outside (no trap door to fall thru) The sides of the obs will be "dormered into the shed roof"

5) I am going to have a typical isolated pier design-

I was planing on a 3'x3'x4deep concrete pad with (4) 3/4 j-bolts connecting to a 12"dia x 13ft H thinwall .188" pipe with 3/4" flange on bottom. 1/2 mounting plate on top. this pier would go thru warm room and obs floor(without touching)

After reading too much info (and too many different opinions) on pier design- I am concern with the pier design. I want to do some photography in the future and want a stable pier,

I don't really want a massive pad/20" rebar/ concrete pier that needs blasting to remove should i want to relocate-my design I can unbolt the pier and bury the pad.

After much hand-wring I had a thought :) -many people take nice photos from a tripod- would my design be more stable than a tripod???

I will be building the entire structure around the pier, so redesign later is not an option.

Am I better off with a wood pier made from (4) 6x6" glued and lag bolted with staggered joints?

Anyone with an engineering background want to provide some input?

Thanks Keith

Calling all new observatories

Bloodhound31 — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:29:51 GMT

Hi all, it's been a while since I last put out the call for all those wonderful home-built observatories out there. There must be a lot of new ones up now. If you would like your efforts showcased on my "Other Observatories" page, please send me an email to infoatasignobservatorydotcom Send a nice picture of the outside of your observatory, a short paragraph and a link to your own website if you have one. Here's the page it will appear on. http://www.asignobservatory.com/other_observatories.aspx Cheers, Baz.

Observatory building

Coldindian — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:27:20 GMT

If I am to build a backyard observatory, I am willing to spend quite a bit of money as I am positive astronomy will be a huge part of my life for the rest of my times. Does anyone have some tips?

My ideas so far are: dig a few feet underground. Put a large pipe much deeper to mount the telescope on, level everything. Cement it. I'm not sure what I will use for the walls and ceiling as I just read about the sliding roof. At first I was thinking about a roof that is hinged. Any ideas?

Also, I know I have lots of time to plan this all out and especially to save up money. I have wondered how I am going to mount a telescope on the support. I am just planning ahead and I am not rushing into this too much I just know it will be my life so I will be prepared to observe. I also need to buy a telescope that will be permanently mounted inside the shelter.

Willing to make large sacrifices to be with my new love,

Jamie

2009 Astroimaging Contest

Karri Ferron — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:04:12 GMT

Astronomy magazine just announced its 2009 Astroimaging Contest, and I wanted to make sure everyone was aware of it.

The competition offers three categories: Deep-sky, Solar System, and General. In addition to these winners, the editors will be choose one image as the grand prize winner -- the best of them all.

There are some great prizes from Astrodon Filters, Lumicon, and Tele Vue Optics to encourage your participation. The grand prize is a 5-night stay at Arizona Sky Village/Rancho Hidalgo (worth $3,500) plus $1,000 to cover airfare, rental car, and food. This facility sits in one of the darkest parts of North America, right on the Arizona-New Mexico border.

Other prizes include a mounted 1-1/4" Hydrogen-alpha filter from Astrodon Filters worth $275, a set of 4 nebular filters (Deep-Sky, UHC, OIII, and Hβ) from Lumicon worth $400, and a 13mm Ethos eyepiece from Tele Vue Optics worth $620.

The deadline for entries is April 15, 2009, and we’ll showcase all the winners in our September issue.

Visit www.Astronomy.com/photocontest to read the contest rules and find out how to submit your image, and let me know if you have any questions.

Dark Side of the Moon Observatory

pinkflyd34 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:03:02 GMT

Hi guys I added a few pics on my site of my observatory. Hope you like. I'll add more once the pier is installed. Thanks for the help on the pier. Its appreciated

http://www.theurbansky.com/Dark%20SIde%20of%20the%20Moon%20Observatory.html

steve

Seasons Greetings

Speedawg — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:03:21 GMT

Seasons Greeting all! This is my first post on this forum and just wanted to say hi. I have been enjoying your posts for awhile. I have very recently completed an roll off roof observatory to house my CPC 1100. I am in the process of gearing up for photography so I will be posting in those forums as well in the near future. I live in Coeur d Alene ID which has been hit pretty hard in the last 24 hours with 36 inches of snow fall. I have a pic of my observatory if I can figure out how to get in this post.

Our forum policies, including no advertising (updated 12/18/2008)

Karri Ferron — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:54:14 GMT

Now, to the rules:

Please keep discussions on topic (that is, astronomy-related).

For further guidelines, please visit Frequently Asked Questions or our Web Site Usage Policy.

Extending USB cables

Rich01370 — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:24:02 GMT

Im trying to extend my USB cables to reach the house. Im sick of freezing. I have tried active USB cables, and the active usb cables along with a powered USB hub and a usb to cat5e and back to usb cable. So far nothing has worked. The cat5e one was a cable limitation, it was only made for the 1.0 and/or 1.1 usb spec and not the 2.0 that the camera runs on. The active cables say you can hit 75 feet with them chained togething and I have been able to put 2 or 3 together and run my dslr camera, but not my ccd and auto guider. Does anyone have any ideas or know of a way to reach like 40ish feet? Any help or ideas would be great. Thanks a ton.

Rich

Roll-offs and Dobs...

cyberpatzer — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:14:18 GMT

The one major problem I have with the Dob in the roll-off observatory is the low mount doesn't allow viewing at angles of much less than 42-45 degree! This eliminates planetary viewing (and some DSOs...)most of the time, unless I elevate the Dob on a higher platform, which I sometimes do. However, this is less than ideal, as exterior lights again hit the scope and my eyes, so I usually leave the Dob on a low slung cart. Lugging the 85lb assembly on and off different bases is not back friendly...

To remedy the problem, I've ordered a 'table lift'-- a hydraulic platform to raise or lower the base. I got a cheap one rated for 600lbs. from the Home Depot online store for $120.00. The minimum height is 9.5", and it raises to over 30"--more than enough height for my purposes. The actual platform is 19" x30", almost perfect for the Dob base. It should arrive by Sat. We'll see how it works. My only concern is stability, but given its rating, it should be o.k.

For others using roll- offs and cheap Dob mounts, this might be a fairly cost effective solution.

What's the idea of an observatory?

bigastronomy — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:33:37 GMT

Is an observatory strictly for having a permanent scope spot and everything else you need ready to go at a somewhat moment's notice or what are the other advantages?

thanks,

big

Kepler DSO v 4.0...

cyberpatzer — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:27:09 GMT

Rather than continue ranting on the old thread, I'll try and strike a more positive note as I progress through the 4th evolution of the KDSO.

The current modification is making a sloped shingled roll-off roof. The tarp wasn't working and the inspector poo-pooed the whole thing.

So-- I took off the old roof, and built the frame for a new one last week. A friend helped me hoist it on. The slope is 4" per foot, so it should work fine. I'll be using tar paper and Home Depot 25 year shingles. The whole thing will be enclosed in 3/8th ply, caulked with silicon, and stained. Cost: about $350, completed.

I'll post pictures of the frame here, and update as it goes along.

I squeezed the frame base 1/4", so now it rolls great--a bit too great. When we got it on and pushed it to the closed position, it almost rolled off the other end! I'll have to devise a lock down mechanism, and stops for the roof. I may also have to counterbalance it, I believe, with 30-40lbs of weight on the interior side (opposite the portion that will sit on the roll-off), With the total weight increase of 50-80lbs, I don't want to risk the roof tipping off while in the open position!

More later...

Dome Constructed from Steel Dry Wall Supports

Oriontaage — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:54:28 GMT

Hi,

For the past few months I have been documenting my observatory construction in the thread “Just Broke Ground on a 3.5 m Diameter Domed Observatory”. I am trying a new material for my dome support that I don’t think anyone else has tried; at least I can’t find any similar constructions on the www. I am building my dome support from bent steel dry wall supports. These have proven to be a very inexpensive, yet strong material and I am very pleased with the results. Now that the dome frame is complete and it appears structurally sound, I have decided to post a few details and pictures on my webpage.

Fabricating an arch required only about 15 min., which really saved me lots of time compared to a layered plywood construction. There is a bit of a trick to bending these materials and still retaining the structural geometry and strength. Unfortunately I will be waiting until after the observatory is complete before posting the arch fabrication details; this is to ensure that this idea works before making it completely available to others. The dome frame is very much like an aluminum frame greenhouse. There is some flexibility to the metal frame, but as soon as a stiff sheeting material is applied, the structure becomes very rigid.

I am covering the dome in corrugated Bituwell sheets, which are fiber sheets impregnated with bitumen. These sheets are commonly used in Europe for shed and carport roofs. I am very interested in getting some feedback on this design and lots of comments are welcome. Note that my website has relocated to the below address:

http://www.astronomyasylum.com

Bill

Observation Tent

JimBa151 — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:22:25 GMT

Might as well add my review of this item, which is currently set up on my garage roof. It is the Clear-View Observing Tent featured on SmartAstronomy.

http://yhst-1469288697390.stores.yahoo.net/clobte.html

I bought this to use in an urban setting, to block unwanted light pollution, and to act as a windbreak for cool evenings. So far, so good. Not seen in the advertisement is a flat-roof top covering arrangement that collects dew readily, occasionally dripping off to the interior if not watched/wiped periodically. The cover can be removed entirely, but is more effectively rolled back to expose just a limited area for celestial viewing.... greatly reducing the amount of dew collecting on my scope, guidebooks, furniture and accessories inside (a big plus). This tent will not handle heavy rain well, however, because the roof is flat and (although made of waterproofed nylon) will likely pool, rather than shed, the rainwater falling on it. I have not tested this... but have enough camping experience to know it will present problems in any weather worse than a light drizzle.

Explaining garage roof use - My home has an attached two-car garage with a very slightly pitched (nearly flat) roof. There is a door leading from our second floor residence onto the roof, for easy access. I put the tent on it, ran a power cable out to the tent, where it can power a red lamp, small heater, hairdryer, whatever environmental controls I need. The interior sports a large throw-rug, folding chair and table, two tripods for binocs and 5" reflector. The floor area is spacious for a single person's use, but the limited height (about 5') may present discomfort for a 6-foot individual (I'm 5'8).

Yes, neighbors comment about my "campsite" on my roof .... but I'm having fun with this. I've used it for a week or so of recent fair weather in NE Ohio, and it has met my expectations for improving the comfort factor of my observing.

Save the Kepler DSO!!! Unbelievable!

cyberpatzer — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:36:13 GMT

I finally paid for my electrical and structural permits from the city last week. Both approved. I had buried my electrical, poured a $600 massive concrete pad to meet their annying requirements--after diassembling the original structure!

And then--

The inspector wrote up a new citation! I have to take it down! He said the roll off has to be shingled, and the roll off supports have to be removed! I also can't have light shields on it!!

What the (&*%*&@&_*()*+)*!!

He said I will have to petition the city council, and the application for this costs $150!!!!

Keep in mind they APPROVED my plans, and NEVER mentioned the roof was in violation!!

I am beyond angry. I'm going to apply (what choice do I have?), and tell them that if they do not approve the structure that was already approved with or without MINOR changes, I will sue them for the costs associated with the past changes and legal fees, as well as disposal of the structure and/or costs assocated with making a structure that meets code.

Their lack of coordination and incompentence isn't my problem! To me, this borders on harassment.

Welcome to Darkfall Observatory

slick750 — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:35:54 GMT

Its finished at last! I finally got the roof on after waiting for weeks for a good day. I wound up going out when it was raining and about 35 degrees. Not the best weather for construction work ...lol. I couldn't wait any longer as we were supposed to have a snow storm that weekend, so I decided to brave the weather and get the roof on. Fun was had by all.

The roof was made using pvc pipe for the frame and covered by sheets of corrugated pvc roofing. the two removable roof sections are about 6'wide and 12' long. The corrugated roof from the one side overlaps the other section so that there is no center seam for rain or snow to get through. The roof sections are slid out and back into a rail on the east and west side of the observatory. I came up with the rail idea when I couldn't figure out a good way to keep the roof in place without using hinges or some other means of securing it, esp. when it gets windy as it often does here. What I wound up doing was using 3 inch pvc pipe(thick wall) and cutting out 1/3rd of the pipe the length of the pipe. It looked like a "C". The 3" diameter pipe is large enough so that with the section removed, I can slide the edge pipe from the frame with the roofing attached right into it so that it makes a rail of sorts. This keeps the roof in place and no wind or rain can get under it at all, esp. since most of my wind comes from the West. The top and bottom of the roof is held in a channel made from the same pvc pipe which was cut in half lengthwise and screwed down so that it looks like a "u" in which the frame pipe rests.( This may be difficult to visualize and its very difficult to explain.........you can see it clearly in the pics form the link I provided below). The roof is secured to the removable 2x6 beams using velcro straps. I am actually amazed at how well its working so far. After two wind storms with gusts over 70mph, the roof hasn't budged! After several days of continuous pouring rain and a couple of snow storms, I haven't gotten any water inside the observatory. Mind you, I used 6 tubes of silicone calk to seal all the seams in the roof as I went along.........I figured , you can never use too much of the stuff but you can certainly use to little.

There are some small things still to finish but I ran out of warm weather...lol. I would like to add some more elctrical outlets inside, as well as a couple light fixtures. A couple drop down work tables would also be nice of course, and I need to finish putting in sealing around the drop wall and a couple ohter places. I have discovered also that while the roof is light enough to remove by 1 person, it is a bit awkward to move around and slide back in place just because the sections are so long Still, considering my original idea of using 2x6's for the roof frame , I would have to say this is a much lighter way to go...lol. I spent several hours going over different ideas for a workable, removable roof that wouldn't weigh so much that one person couldn't do it, with my brother-in-law and his father when we came up with the idea for using pvc for the frame. I spent days after that trying to come up with a way to attach said roof when I hit upon the idea of the rail . So far its working great! I also want to set something up so that I can use the roof sections to block wind and the lights from the nearby houses when I want to do astrophoto work.

You can check out my other forum posting here to read about the rest of the building if you would like and below is a link to a slideshow I put together. There are links on the slideshow page in the upper right to more pictures than in the slide show also. On the whole it really seems to have turned out great, and there is more room insde than I expected. Now, all I need is some decent weather.

MIke S.