Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Observatories Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | (show all) Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO       #1627935 - 05/27/07 08:53 AM Attachment (105 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Well Backyard Observatories did it again. Number 87! Our good friends, Scott and Diane Horstman, as well as the rest of the crew; Kenny, Don, Jason and Nikki - designed and built our new observatory this past week. It's number 87, but we've named it PCW Memorial Observatory after my late grandparents, Pauline and Charles Withers (Paul's idea, and one that I absolutely loved!). Here's a picture of my grandmother this winter. She passed away only three weeks ago at 91 and is missed terribly. But I was very fortunate to give her her first and only viewing of the sun through my Maxscope this winter (which is also very special to me because I bought it off of another very good friend, Gary Gibbs, aka Halfmeter). -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627942 - 05/27/07 08:59 AM Attachment (77 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   They arrived last Saturday, after Scott had drawn up the plans to fit both the truss dob and the LX200 pier for both of us viewing at the same time. I had to work that day so missed the first part of construction. Left to right: Kenny, Jason and Scott. -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       Mike Lewis sage Reged: 01/20/05 Posts: 309 Loc: Near Mulliken, Michigan USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627953 - 05/27/07 09:07 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Erika, A couple of thoughts here..... First and foremost, my deepest regards for your loss.... But a wonderfull picture and lots of memeories...... And congrats on your observatory...what a great name, when you look at the stars you will always remember! Best skies Mike -------------------- Mike ....................... Meade 7" Mak Home built 8" Dob 120mm Sywatcher refractor 76mm Borg Home built 12.5" Truss, F/5.6 Zambuto PST Dunham Hill Observatory "Most people never look up, what a shame...." Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627961 - 05/27/07 09:14 AM Attachment (79 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The size is 11.6' by 13.6' and is very roomy. We have it in the front yard and it matches so well with our house. I'm going to be landscaping around it eventually (why is it that a landscaper always makes everyone's yard look nice, but then never gets around to making their own yard nice?). Here's Diane with Buttercup, Riser and Rocket. -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       oldsalt Astro Philosopher Reged: 02/12/05 Posts: 7958 Loc: Pa - between starparties Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627965 - 05/27/07 09:19 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Looking good . The name is great, I'd get the photo of Nanny framed and placed inside the observatory with a little write up. Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627966 - 05/27/07 09:20 AM Attachment (78 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Mike, thank you very much. I feel very blessed not only to have had such wonderful grandparents, but also to have such wonderful friends involved with this project. With Paul suggesting that name, it brings it all together. Even most of our scopes and gear came from really good friends here on CN. This is a typical look from Kenny. I know it was to be a day of work, but you can't help but to have a great time doing it when you're with friends. -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627973 - 05/27/07 09:24 AM Attachment (77 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Jim. I was planning on putting Nanny's (for those of you that aren't familiar with my grandmother, I called her Nanny) solar pics in the observatory, but I think I will put a photo of the both of them in there as well with a placard. Great suggestion! Here's Diane recording the construction. The view behind her is south. It's cool that Paul and I bought this place because the view overlooks land that belongs to the parents of a good high school friend. I'm back in my old stomping grounds and it feels good. -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627980 - 05/27/07 09:27 AM Attachment (71 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here's the youngest of the BYO clan, Nikki. She's showing them how you properly dig a hole. -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627983 - 05/27/07 09:28 AM Attachment (63 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And here's how you measure it. -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627986 - 05/27/07 09:29 AM Attachment (56 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Nope, needs a little more digging. -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627988 - 05/27/07 09:30 AM Attachment (60 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   In comes the big dogs with the auger, Kenny and Jason. -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       oldsalt Astro Philosopher Reged: 02/12/05 Posts: 7958 Loc: Pa - between starparties Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627989 - 05/27/07 09:31 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   That southern view looks great. Looks like Paul will get some great skies for his AP work. Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627996 - 05/27/07 09:36 AM Attachment (57 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here's the commander in chief, captain oh captain, supervisor extraordinare, the man himself: Scott You can call him practically anything you want, just don't call him late for supper. -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1627998 - 05/27/07 09:37 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I need to take a break and get a few things done. I'll add more a little later. -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       JAT Observatory Space Freak Reged: 02/20/05 Posts: 5652 Loc: Eastern PA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1628052 - 05/27/07 10:14 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Erika, Sorry for your loss. What a nice tribute to her and congrats on the new observatory. It was nice to meet you at NEAF. Hanging out with Scott and Diane must have been fun even though there was serious work to be done, they both are very warm and friendly folk. Keep the pictures coming. -------------------- -Marcus The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice. http://jatobservatory.org 12" LX200R on a Paramount ME Post Extras:       droid rocketman Reged: 08/29/04 Posts: 3121 Loc: ohio Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1628076 - 05/27/07 10:28 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Erika ; you and Paul are really going ot enjoy this observatory , assuming the Ohio weather allows you to use it ,lol. Great idea for a name. -------------------- andy Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: droid]       #1628193 - 05/27/07 11:44 AM Attachment (62 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Marcus, thank you. It was great meeting you and your son, too. I actually brought up the name of your observatory to Paul when we were trying to come up with ideas for the name of ours. Nanny passed away a few days after I returned from NEAF. I think she was aware of me telling her stories of NEAF. She was always very supportive of me with astronomy. Andy, it's trying to be sunny today but the transparency is thick with haze. I wish we'd just get this storm and be done with it. We need the rain terribly, but if it refuses to rain, at least give us some sky, huh? Here's one of the boys building the struts for flooring. -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1628196 - 05/27/07 11:46 AM Attachment (50 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Is Nikki somewhere down in that hole still? -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       droid rocketman Reged: 08/29/04 Posts: 3121 Loc: ohio Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1628201 - 05/27/07 11:47 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Well we had rain yesterday, still its muggy and hazy.Goin out to put the new padlocks on the observatory and install wilma a shelving unit and some other stuff today, so hopefully Ill finally have a real observatory. -------------------- andy Post Extras:       Erix Toad Lily Reged: 12/25/04 Posts: 20451 Loc: Ohio, USA Re: PCW Memorial Observatory by BYO [Re: Erix]       #1628205 - 05/27/07 11:51 AM Attachment (53 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'm back! I cut off work a little early so I could see everyone. -------------------- Erika 10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350 Having Fun in the Sun! More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963 Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have. Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | (show all) Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 1 registered and 2 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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