Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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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).
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi. 
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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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.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Mike Lewis
sage
Reged: 01/20/05
Posts: 357
Loc: Near Mulliken, Michigan USA
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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
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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...."
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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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.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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oldsalt
Astro Philosopher
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 8228
Loc: Pa - between starparties
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Looking good . The name is great, I'd get the photo of Nanny framed and placed inside the observatory with a little write up.
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There are no winners in war, only bigger losers.
Jim
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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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.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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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.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Here's the youngest of the BYO clan, Nikki. She's showing them how you properly dig a hole.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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And here's how you measure it.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Nope, needs a little more digging.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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In comes the big dogs with the auger, Kenny and Jason.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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oldsalt
Astro Philosopher
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 8228
Loc: Pa - between starparties
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That southern view looks great. Looks like Paul will get some great skies for his AP work.
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There are no winners in war, only bigger losers.
Jim
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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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. 
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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I need to take a break and get a few things done. I'll add more a little later. 
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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JAT Observatory
Space Freak
Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 6526
Loc: Eastern PA
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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.
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-Marcus
The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.
http://www.jatobservatory.org
SV102A & SV110ED on a Paramount ME
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droid
rocketman
Reged: 08/29/04
Posts: 3602
Loc: ohio
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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.
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102mm Celestron C102HD
Tasco 7TE5 60mm Classic
Tasco 9TE5 60mm Classic
Celestron Ultima 2000 SCT
Remains of an 8 inch dob
Celestron Comet catcher(orange tube)
1960 Edscorp Space Conquerer 6inch f/8
10x50 Bushnell Binoculars.
60mm Telescope Club
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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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.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Is Nikki somewhere down in that hole still?
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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droid
rocketman
Reged: 08/29/04
Posts: 3602
Loc: ohio
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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.
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102mm Celestron C102HD
Tasco 7TE5 60mm Classic
Tasco 9TE5 60mm Classic
Celestron Ultima 2000 SCT
Remains of an 8 inch dob
Celestron Comet catcher(orange tube)
1960 Edscorp Space Conquerer 6inch f/8
10x50 Bushnell Binoculars.
60mm Telescope Club
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 21985
Loc: Ohio, USA
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I'm back! I cut off work a little early so I could see everyone.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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