CLOUDY NIGHTS FORUM ARCHIVES "Live Forums" can be found here: Live Forums

ARCHIVE · Login   · Main Index   · Search

Equipment Discussions >> Observatories Previous   Index   Next   Threaded

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | (show all) bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory tale       #931316 - 04/27/06 07:06 PM Attachment (360 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I've been a casual but dedicated star gazer since before high school where I went through a mini form of aperature fever...starting with a wobbly table top refractor, through a number of Tasco type tripod-mounted eq long refractors to a borrowed ep Edmund 6" reflector a from high school Science teacher. Sunspot projection, Jupiters moons, clusters, doubles, lunar..I did it all and it was a blast and the seed was sown. Twenty years ago I was putting up sheets and shrouds to block and cover neighbor lights, I wished I had a scope shed, and the suburban/urban situation sucked. Years later married and somewhat settled I re-entered the hobby, in a more intense ligh-polluted surbuban/urban city rowhouse (with 60 neighbors and their own ideas of backyard security lighting) setting and plus sitting next to a steel plant in Baltimore. Several Tak/AP/Questar/Stellarvue scopes found their nightly home inside the PVC-pipe collapsible mini observatory covered with black sheets. It worked but the situation still sucked. Residence relocation to a rural town didn't help matters for long, while the Milky Way was vsisble at night, new neighbors set up a night time backyard spot light to temper their anxious kenneled dog as well as new shopping centers, brighter street lights and new housing sprouting seemingly on our heels. Landscape screening was taking time to develop , ambient light was increasing as was size of scopes and weight of mounts quickly passed the threshold and the situation after these decades still sucked and...ENOUGH! Negotiations with the Missus lead us to lay out this form for a concrete slab. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931326 - 04/27/06 07:11 PM Attachment (215 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   We battled for 3 months to find a contractor willing to construct the slab for us but all we got was BS and no-shows so we decided to do the work ourselves...and having never worked with concrete before. After several incarnations, the 13x13 form from 1x4 boards was screwed together for rigidity and to assure squareness. The base was lined with an inch of CR6 which was watered and tamped multiple times to prove a rock solid base. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931339 - 04/27/06 07:17 PM Attachment (215 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Realizing that we had not excavated the slab and that recommendations were for a 4 inch thicker slab, I determined to overkill what reinforcement we could muster. 1/2 inch rebar and wire mesh was wired together and suspended by larger stones to provide internal rigidity. All the contractors we spoke to only talked of literally scrapping the grass away and pouring minus stone base and wire/rebar, so we felt we were still ahead of the game. We subdivided the slab into quarters, separated by expansion joints, to give us time to work according to our ability. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931358 - 04/27/06 07:24 PM Attachment (205 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   At this time I contracted bronchitis, aggravated by cold outdoor work and allergies, whicxh put me in the hospital for several days to regain some lung function. Upon release, the slightest exertion winded me (and still does as I'm still not recovered)but we had to remain on schedule. Instead of my son helping me mix concrete, I huffed and puffed and popped pills and inhalers and helped him and my wife hand mix (80) 60 lb bags of Sakrete High Strength concrete over the next couple weeks. They did the bulk of the work while I was forced to do light duty and supervise my plans. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931360 - 04/27/06 07:26 PM Attachment (203 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My wife leading the charge and driving the schedule. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931364 - 04/27/06 07:28 PM Attachment (172 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   To maintain even more concrete strength, we kept the mix as dry as possible despite this making it much harder to work. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931368 - 04/27/06 07:28 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Connection problem-releted double post deleted by bluestar. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Edited by bluestar (04/27/06 08:21 PM) Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931376 - 04/27/06 07:35 PM Attachment (188 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Pressing on with promising results... -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931382 - 04/27/06 07:37 PM Attachment (163 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Weather was cold so we covered the new slab quarters for several days with a combo of wet burlap, clear plastic, and blankets for night time to maintain heat for slower curing. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931386 - 04/27/06 07:38 PM Attachment (182 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Coming down the home stretch... -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931394 - 04/27/06 07:42 PM Attachment (177 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   After several weeks of keeping the quarters warm and moist the slab is complete. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931403 - 04/27/06 07:44 PM Attachment (200 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Feeling rejected and most unmanly, I'm sidelined for much of the hard work while I watch the Missus fill in and keep the project moving along. Did I marry good or what? -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931409 - 04/27/06 07:47 PM Attachment (193 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Enter Scott Horstman and Jeff of Backyard Observatories, Inc. from Ohio to begin the next phase of the consctuction. Fresh off a Philadelphia installation just up the road, its a short hop to our project. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931412 - 04/27/06 07:48 PM Attachment (201 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The walls are laid out and up they go!! -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931415 - 04/27/06 07:50 PM Attachment (190 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   In no time, this is starting to look like a real observatory! -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931420 - 04/27/06 07:52 PM Attachment (189 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   While the construction progresses quickly, attention is paid to the smallest detail to ensure a professional and quality job. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931427 - 04/27/06 07:56 PM Attachment (176 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My focuser finger is getting twitchy... -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931431 - 04/27/06 07:56 PM Attachment (187 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The roof goes on... -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931434 - 04/27/06 07:59 PM Attachment (230 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Jeff and I disassembled and moved the massive Parsec/12 mount into the observatory. Fresh from an allergist appt an hour earlier, much embarassing huffing and puffing took place on my part. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       bluestar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/06/05 Posts: 1692 Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore Re: Dream Stargaze Home...a Blue Star Observatory [Re: bluestar]       #931437 - 04/27/06 08:00 PM Attachment (256 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Stephen and I take the 6" f/15 D&G out of storage and into its new home. -------------------- Pat Kelly @ Bluestar Observatory D&G 8" f/12 w/AP1200DA Previous telescopes A-Z; Astro-Physics to Zeiss The Classic Refractor - A telescope everybody wants to have used but nobody wants to own. Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | (show all)

Previous   Index   Next   Threaded

Extra information 0 registered and 16 anonymous users are browsing this forum. Moderator:  Chris Schroeder, csa/montana  Print Thread Forum Permissions       You cannot start new topics       You cannot reply to topics       HTML is disabled       UBBCode is enabled Thread views: 5840 Jump to *Announcements and News* -----   Cloudy Nights Announcements   Discussion of CN Articles, Reviews, and Reports   Beginners Forum   Celestial Events   Light Pollution*Equipment Discussions* -----   ATM, Optics and DIY Forum   Binoculars   Binoviewers   Cats & Casses   Classic Telescopes   Equipment   Eyepieces   Mounts   Observatories   Reflectors   Refractors    Celestron SkyScout and Meade mySky   Video and Electronically Assisted Astronomy*Astrophotography and Sketching* -----   Beginning Imaging   Film Astrophotography   DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing   CCD Imaging & Processing   Solar System Imaging & Processing   Sketching   Astro Imaging/Sketching Contest *Observing* -----   General Observing   Planetary and Solar System Observing   Lunar Observing   Deep Sky Observing   Double Star Observing   Solar   Variable Star Observing and Radio Astronomy*Telescope Specific Forums* -----   Celestron NexStar    NexStar GPS / CPC Telescopes   Questar Forum   Meade ACF/RCX / LX / GPS    Meade ETX*Other* -----   Science of Astronomy & Space Exploration   Pets   Cloudy Days & Microscopes   Gardening   Audiophiliacs   Cameras & Photography   AstroWebsites*Speciality Forums* -----   AstroArt   Astronomy Software & Computers   Stellar Media   Astro Outreach, Clubs and Star Parties*CN Feedback and Vendor Announcements* -----   CloudyNights Feedback   Vendor and Group Announcements*International Year of Astronomy 2009 - Forums are now closed.* -----   Global Coordination   Cornerstone Projects   Special Projects   Special Task Groups   Global Activities   National and Regional Activities   IYA 2009 in Africa   IYA 2009 in the USA

CN Forums Home

Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics