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Equipment Discussions >> Observatories

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fastrudy
super member


Reged: 04/09/06
Posts: 164
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: Chris Schroeder]
      #2013506 - 11/27/07 10:17 PM

I am presently constucting a triangular roll-off building for my 12" Meade LX200 GPS. I guess I have to post the photos that I have to a photo hosting site. So I will wait until I have finished. I have a 7.5' x 16' observation deck which encompasses a 1000 lb. slab of concrete (triangular). Just made the two sides. The back and the casters get done tomorrow. Roof and door (third side) nexr day. Then I have to wait for my backordered wedge. The name is Night Wolf Observatory, because I am always out hunting at night, as are we all.

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SometimesKen
sage


Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 443
Loc: Bad Moon Observatory
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: fastrudy]
      #2013541 - 11/27/07 10:33 PM

Sounds like a interesting obs. design and I like the name too!

Good Luck and post some pix soon!
Ken

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As the setting sun / melts below the horizon / the stars applaud her bow. ~W. Terrance~


Bad Moon Observatory - February 1, 2007
39° 54' N - 74° 09' W


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macastronomer
super member


Reged: 04/27/05
Posts: 135
Loc: Rochester, MN
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: SometimesKen]
      #2020534 - 12/01/07 02:30 AM Attachment (60 downloads)

Ps19:1 Observatory. I need to get a more up to date image of my observatory, as it wasn't quite done yet, but from here on out any shot I take will have snow all over it. It's not as impressive as the observatories posted here, but it's my home away from home.

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Macastronomer Group

MacAstronomer


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jsmiller58
sage


Reged: 06/19/06
Posts: 200
Loc: Out there, Way out there
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: macastronomer]
      #2020552 - 12/01/07 02:42 AM

Mac - nice observatory, very unique! I have to ask the questions... why is it on stilts, and where is the entrance??

James

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- 90mm WO refractor
- 11" Orion SCT
- PlaneWave CDK17 (the "Cosmic Cannon")
- MallinCam Hyper Color Plus
- More eyepieces than I can use, but not one Ethos... Hmmm... How soon till Christmas?
- Atlas EQ-G mount
- Losmandy GM-8 mount
- AP 1200GTO mount
- Pro-Dome-15 Obs
- A wife who doesn't understand my fascination with faint fuzzies, but encourages me anyway
- A 16 year old son who calls me just another nut job with an observatory
- A 14 year old son that still thinks I am cool


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csa/montanaModerator
Astro Ambassador
*****

Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28581
Loc: montana
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: macastronomer]
      #2021074 - 12/01/07 11:18 AM

Well, it certainly looks very impressive to me! What a unique Observatory!

Thanks so much for posting your Observatory.

Carol

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Carol


AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan

DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2



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macastronomer
super member


Reged: 04/27/05
Posts: 135
Loc: Rochester, MN
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: jsmiller58]
      #2021114 - 12/01/07 11:33 AM Attachment (49 downloads)

Hi James,

Here are the reasons I made it 6ft off the ground. 1) I wanted to get up off the ground which is at the lowest spot in my yard, getting out of the vapor. I can turn a hammer in to rust in no time back there. 2) I didn't want rodents under living under it and I doubt a mouse can inside. 3) The extra lift off the ground gave me a little more visibility over my tree line, not much but it helps. 4) Resale of my property will be boosted as this thing would make a wonderful play/tree house—as somebody may not want an observatory. 5) my last reason was that the area I built it was once a flood plane, and not far from a creek, so I wanted it up out of danger. Isn't it funny how our priorities change? Reason #5 quickly became reason # 1. Thats right, I almost named it Uraniborg (see pic). It figures that right after I get the structure done but before the roof is on, it pours for days like we haven't seen for hundreds of years. I hope this observatory is good at catching rare celestial events too

My shed has a trap door instead of a front door. I used a pull down attic ladder as my steps. That works pretty well. I thought it was easier than a door until I built the trap door cover. At that point I think I added work for myself—but I like it and it offers extremely good venting for cool down

When I get around to adding this to my web page, I'll post some links.

Duane

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Macastronomer Group

MacAstronomer


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Scott Horstman
Vendor- Backyard Observatories
*****

Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 4833
Loc: Wherever the boss sends me.
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: macastronomer]
      #2021299 - 12/01/07 01:26 PM

Wow! Good thinking on the raised deck! Looks like there my be occasions you'd need to canoe to view.

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Scott.

My Gallery
12.5" f/8 EQ w/Byers gears
178ED/LXD750
102ED
100mm f/13 Carton refractor
PST
DSI, ST7
www.backyardobservatories.com
www.m1OASYS.com



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Chris SchroederModerator
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 12/11/04
Posts: 5098
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: Scott Horstman]
      #2021734 - 12/01/07 05:39 PM

Don't they say the view over the water are more stable
Looks kind of cool sitting there in the middle.

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Chris
Mallincam Color Hyper Plus
10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT
M102ED S.V., ZS 80FD 10th Anniv, ZS 66SD, PST
POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com



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Joel
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 2329
Loc: Merrimack, NH
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: Chris Schroeder]
      #2022324 - 12/01/07 10:39 PM Attachment (49 downloads)

Turkey Hill Observatory built by Backyard Observatories. 11.5' x 15.5' with a 11.5' x 5.5' warm room. After this picture was taken I added some shutters on that front window. The warm room is carpeted and observatory floor is foam tile.

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Joel

10" LX200GPS UHTC-SMT
Vixen 80EDsf
Canon unmodded 350D
QHY8
Turkey Hill Observatory


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jsmiller58
sage


Reged: 06/19/06
Posts: 200
Loc: Out there, Way out there
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: macastronomer]
      #2022557 - 12/02/07 02:34 AM

Duane,

They say a picture speaks a thousand words - and yours explained lots!

James

--------------------
- 90mm WO refractor
- 11" Orion SCT
- PlaneWave CDK17 (the "Cosmic Cannon")
- MallinCam Hyper Color Plus
- More eyepieces than I can use, but not one Ethos... Hmmm... How soon till Christmas?
- Atlas EQ-G mount
- Losmandy GM-8 mount
- AP 1200GTO mount
- Pro-Dome-15 Obs
- A wife who doesn't understand my fascination with faint fuzzies, but encourages me anyway
- A 16 year old son who calls me just another nut job with an observatory
- A 14 year old son that still thinks I am cool


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BCB
Post Laureate
*****

Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 3830
Loc: Look over your shoulder
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: Digital Don]
      #2022845 - 12/02/07 09:52 AM

Gee, I had thought I put my Observatory in this list.. Guess not, so here it is..

7x7 Rubbermaid (Tupperware) BigMax shed, converted to a lift and roll off roof design.



Click my Obs. name in my sigline for the thread on it.

--------------------
Mark

Making people sorry they asked since 1967

Astro-Tech 102ED
Orion 8" F5 Newt w/Moonlight CR-2 focuser
SVP mount w/Meade 497 Autostar GOTO mod
Treeline Observatory



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mikey cee
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 01/18/07
Posts: 2326
Loc: bellevue ne.
Re: List of Observatories [Re: BCB]
      #2023110 - 12/02/07 12:23 PM Attachment (50 downloads)

My split transverse roll off attached to our home. Dimensions 15'-4" x 13'-4". Concrete block construction from frostline footings to an elevation of 8'-6" above grade. East section neatly telescopes under and neatly into the west section. Built to exactly match the home's roof and eaves. Mike

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Mike 10x50 sears tower binocs, 3" f/10 edmunds reflector, 2.4" f/11.7 manon refractor, 6" f/8 jaegers refractor, "The 8 Ball" 8" f/13.3 brandt refractor, 3" f/15.8 sans&streiffe refractor, 3.1" f/15 selsi refractor(towa 339), 2.4" f/15 sears refractor, selsi 30x30mm spyglass, criterion 5-draw 25x45x75x spyglass(1957).


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mikey cee
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 01/18/07
Posts: 2326
Loc: bellevue ne.
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: mikey cee]
      #2023149 - 12/02/07 12:40 PM Attachment (44 downloads)

View of the observatory from our kitchen stoop. Access to the observatory is via an enclosed breezeway from the lower living level. The picture of the 8" and 6" refractors was before the counterpoise tube weights were added etc. etc. Mike

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Mike 10x50 sears tower binocs, 3" f/10 edmunds reflector, 2.4" f/11.7 manon refractor, 6" f/8 jaegers refractor, "The 8 Ball" 8" f/13.3 brandt refractor, 3" f/15.8 sans&streiffe refractor, 3.1" f/15 selsi refractor(towa 339), 2.4" f/15 sears refractor, selsi 30x30mm spyglass, criterion 5-draw 25x45x75x spyglass(1957).

Edited by mikey cee (12/02/07 12:43 PM)


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Mr Dale
member


Reged: 11/06/07
Posts: 26
Loc: Mid Michigan
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: mikey cee]
      #2023348 - 12/02/07 02:21 PM Attachment (55 downloads)

My observatory is an Arrow 8'x8' metal shed that is reinforced with 2x4's. Originally I used it as a place to store my scopes, then I made it into a flip-top and just this fall,I converted it to a roll-off.


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Dale

Orion XTi 12" Dob
Meade LX10 8" SCT
Orion 120 4.7" Refractor


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Mr Dale
member


Reged: 11/06/07
Posts: 26
Loc: Mid Michigan
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: Mr Dale]
      #2023356 - 12/02/07 02:25 PM Attachment (42 downloads)

Here is a view from the inside with my good ol' Meade LX10 that has been moved out to make room for my Orion XTi 12" Dob.

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Dale

Orion XTi 12" Dob
Meade LX10 8" SCT
Orion 120 4.7" Refractor


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macastronomer
super member


Reged: 04/27/05
Posts: 135
Loc: Rochester, MN
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: Mr Dale]
      #2023628 - 12/02/07 04:52 PM

Dale, I'll bet cool down in your shed is close to zero! That's a nice advantage.

Duane

--------------------
Macastronomer Group

MacAstronomer


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Mr Dale
member


Reged: 11/06/07
Posts: 26
Loc: Mid Michigan
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: macastronomer]
      #2025189 - 12/03/07 12:02 PM

Yes, it is, Duane. Just the other night I was out and it was 16 degrees F. And lo and behold, it was 16F in the shed too!

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Dale

Orion XTi 12" Dob
Meade LX10 8" SCT
Orion 120 4.7" Refractor


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Wayne Parrish
sage
*****

Reged: 02/23/04
Posts: 442
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: Mr Dale]
      #2026026 - 12/03/07 07:25 PM Attachment (49 downloads)

I,'m sure everyone's tired of seeing it but here it is for sake of the list. Thanks

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rodney
domed in NJ
*****

Reged: 03/08/05
Posts: 463
Loc: Asbury, NJ
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: Wayne Parrish]
      #2026037 - 12/03/07 07:30 PM

Rock and Roll Wayne,
I never get tired of seeing this awesome set up.

Remember imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

Clear skies,

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My Explora Dome construction is here:
http://www.freewebs.com/rodbo1967/observatoryconstruction.htm

Rodney

13 Truss
C8-NGT
Orion 80mm/F11
Extremely happy owner of an Explora Dome home observatory
and a list of goodies to big for this sig


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Starman27
sage


Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 252
Loc: Illinois, Iowa
Re: List of Observatories new [Re: rodney]
      #2026534 - 12/03/07 11:18 PM

I'm not tired. Nice building.

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Enjoy the dark,
Herman

Meade 12 LZ200 classic and 12 LX200 GPS
Meade Classic 7 LX200 Maksutov
TAK FS128 NSV
TAK Sky 90II
Meade 102
Orion 80mm ED
Meade ETX 125
AT80
Canon 20Da
Canon 5D


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