Reader Forums
Astronomy forums are FREE. If you wish to participate you must LOGIN | REGISTER.

Amateur observatories

The Kepler Deep Sky Observatory..Finally!!
Last post 11-16-2007 05:03 PM by Stargazer at Large. 3 replies.
Sort Posts:
Page 1 of 1 (4 items)
  • 11-14-2007 09:04 PM

    • cyberpatzer
    • Joined on 09-24-2007
    • St. Clair Shores, Michigan
    • Posts 703

    The Kepler Deep Sky Observatory..Finally!!

    Hello all--

       I finally have those pics of my new man-paradise.   First light was last week and I observed the ring nebula, the dumbell nebula, the orion nebula, and--after a stubborn 2 hr. wait, Mars.  The observatory works great--nothing but sky!    And I could stay out for 5 hours at 40 degree F because my warm room was a toasty 70+!!!

       Here are some photos:  (warm room is 4'x6', scope shed is 7-1/2 by 8.)

     

    http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/cybernit11/P1030052.jpg

    http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/cybernit11/P1030052.jpg

    http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/cybernit11/P1030050.jpg

    http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/cybernit11/P1030049.jpg

    http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/cybernit11/P1030045.jpg

    http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/cybernit11/P1030039.jpg

    http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/cybernit11/P1030006.jpg

    http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/cybernit11/P1030004.jpg

    http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/cybernit11/P1030001.jpg

       It is a simple roll-off ( push-off!) design, with 5'8" walls.  Both the warm room and shed have white and red lights and electrical outlets, and a port for computer/ccd cables runs through the wall of the warm room.  The shed has a finial on the top to slope a tarp that is used for inclement weather.  The warm room has a shingled roof, and the entire warm room is insulated.  There is plenty of room for charts, wall maps, optics storage, and my laptop.

      I am in heaven.

       However....  South eastern Michigan has had 20 days of clouds shortly after it was finished!!!!

      

    Signature
    "Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain".
    ---Schiller

    Kepler Deep Sky Observatory
    St. Clair Shores, Michigan

    Zhumell 12" Dob, aka : "(Cyclops .3 Meter ILT" (Insanely Large Telescope))
    Orion 8" Newt/ Skyview Pro EQ: (200mm DAT (Divorce Acceleration Telescope!))
    Nexstar 6SE/ 9x50 RACI / Williams Optics Diagonal/ GPS (R2D2)
    Celestron 4" ST, / Zhumell 20x80s(The OWL DBT) /Celestron 15x70s
  • 11-14-2007 09:16 PM In reply to

    • Clubman35
    • Joined on 10-11-2007
    • Warren Michigan
    • Posts 83

    Re: The Kepler Deep Sky Observatory..Finally!!

    Hello cyberpatzer-

    Looking good...i'm thinking of building something similar. Man, those houses in the backround look really familiar. You say you're in SE Michigan....where about? I'm in Warren at about 13 Mile and Ryan. I can relate about the cloudy nights! Is it ever going to clear up?

    Jim

    Signature
    Meade 12" Lightbridge
    Celestron Omni XLT 102 Refractor
    Philips spc900nc
    16x50 Binos


  • 11-15-2007 06:31 AM In reply to

    • cyberpatzer
    • Joined on 09-24-2007
    • St. Clair Shores, Michigan
    • Posts 703

    Re: The Kepler Deep Sky Observatory..Finally!!

     hey Clubman--

      I'm at 11 mile and Little Mack!

       As for the clouds-- make it a solid month-

        The forcast is 10 more days of mostly cloudy!

       I guess we're armchair amateurs for now!

     

    Peace--

    Signature
    "Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain".
    ---Schiller

    Kepler Deep Sky Observatory
    St. Clair Shores, Michigan

    Zhumell 12" Dob, aka : "(Cyclops .3 Meter ILT" (Insanely Large Telescope))
    Orion 8" Newt/ Skyview Pro EQ: (200mm DAT (Divorce Acceleration Telescope!))
    Nexstar 6SE/ 9x50 RACI / Williams Optics Diagonal/ GPS (R2D2)
    Celestron 4" ST, / Zhumell 20x80s(The OWL DBT) /Celestron 15x70s
  • 11-16-2007 05:03 PM In reply to

    Re: The Kepler Deep Sky Observatory..Finally!!

    Good work! Congrats!

    May your First-Light Curse end soon...

Page 1 of 1 (4 items)
E-mail Address: Password:
Remember me?

Forgot your password » | Login help »

Not a member? Register » | Why join? »

My Profile

Copyright © 2007 Astronomy.com
Powered by Community Server (Commercial Edition), by Telligent Systems