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Equipment Discussions >> Observatories

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WidowMaker
scholastic sledgehammer
*****

Reged: 12/29/07
Posts: 815
Loc: Frankfort, Ky
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: WidowMaker]
      #2490762 - 06/29/08 10:37 PM Attachment (39 downloads)

And heres a little something my wife found at Lowe's.
Its like pvc type stuff that was near the decorative molding stuff and has a little 'sweeper' edge thing on it. We put a 2x4 up behind the big board you see outside the south wall and then attached this to it, so when the obs is shut, nothing bigger than a ant can get inside.

Shes so smart, I was just assuming id walk in to a birds nest some day.

The only sad part is the right side of the outside board. When we went to cut the trianlge so it could go over the angle iron it just split and a big chunk came off!

It did the same in the back on the same side! Its icky, but we bought some real thin screen stuff and well come up with some way to stop birds from coming in it!

--------------------
Sleep is the Cousin of Death


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WidowMaker
scholastic sledgehammer
*****

Reged: 12/29/07
Posts: 815
Loc: Frankfort, Ky
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: WidowMaker]
      #2490763 - 06/29/08 10:38 PM

I can find out exactly what it was if someone else needs just a little something to block rain or bugs at their South or North wall.

I got the receipt in there somewhere.

--------------------
Sleep is the Cousin of Death


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bdjeep
super member


Reged: 01/29/07
Posts: 186
Loc: Bolton, MA
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: WidowMaker]
      #2490801 - 06/29/08 10:59 PM



--------------------


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MRoedel
sage


Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 252
Loc: Michigan
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: bdjeep]
      #2490830 - 06/29/08 11:15 PM

Truly awesome.

--------------------
Mike Roedel

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. -Sydney Smith, writer and clergyman (1771-1845)



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csa/montanaModerator
Astro Ambassador
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Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28619
Loc: montana
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: WidowMaker]
      #2490883 - 06/29/08 11:47 PM

Quote:

I can find out exactly what it was if someone else needs just a little something to block rain or bugs at their South or North wall.

I got the receipt in there somewhere.




Please do post what it is called!

--------------------
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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csa/montanaModerator
Astro Ambassador
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Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28619
Loc: montana
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: WidowMaker]
      #2490895 - 06/29/08 11:53 PM

I must say, you & your wife building your Dream, has been so uplifting & inspiring to all of us; we are so proud of the two of you, & your Observatory. We took each step of this journey with you, and are so happy to see your scope sitting in it's new home!

Congratulations on a very special Observatory!

--------------------
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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TeleTex
member


Reged: 01/27/08
Posts: 55
Loc: Texas
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: csa/montana]
      #2491079 - 06/30/08 02:26 AM

I am glad you finished but sorry to see it come to and end. Your thread was so entertaining that I would stop by any time I got a chance to see your progress. Awesome Job you two. Looking forward to your first light.

--------------------
Stan

Meade ETX-60AT-BB (60mm Achromatic Refractor)01-30-08
Meade NG-60 Jupiter (60mm Refractor) 12-25-07
Meade 70AZ-A Land & Sky (70mm Refractor) 02-13-08




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THEPLOUGH
Nailed Again
*****

Reged: 01/11/08
Posts: 3957
Loc: Carlisle, Cumbria, ENGLAND
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: TeleTex]
      #2491140 - 06/30/08 05:15 AM

Make sure you post a first light report from the obs. You two are awesome, I will miss these posts, but look forward to the next project of the dynamic duo..... ....... These are for your wife.. .. ..

--------------------
Geoff...

Nexstar 8SE -- 9X50 RACI Finder scope... 6.3 F/R.-- 13 & 17mm Hyperion EPs.. 25mm Celestron E- Lux EP.. 2X Celestron X-Cel Barlow----- Celestron solar filter + A few bits and pieces..

Never give up on any one..... MIRACLES happen every day....


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Chris SchroederModerator
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 12/11/04
Posts: 5098
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: THEPLOUGH]
      #2491280 - 06/30/08 08:35 AM

Well done, both you and your wife should be very proud

--------------------
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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darbs
super member
*****

Reged: 02/12/08
Posts: 101
Loc: Dacula, Georgia
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: Chris Schroeder]
      #2491626 - 06/30/08 12:59 PM

Are you sure you can't build a second floor or something so that we can keep having your posts?
You 2 really deserve to celebrate!
Hope it is everything you wanted and more.

--------------------
Darlyne

Orion XT8i, Telrad
AstroTech AT80ED, Rigel quickfinder, Orion Skyview Deluxe
TeleVue 24mm Pan, 2" 2X powermate
Baader Hyperions 5mm, 8mm
Orion 32mm Erfle, 7-21mm zoom
Gary Russel 9mm and 7mm
Howie Glatter laser and tublug/ Telecat
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70
Orion Megaview 30X80
2 furkids
several reptiles





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DeanS
professor emeritus


Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 505
Loc: Nicholasville, Kentucky
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: darbs]
      #2491692 - 06/30/08 01:57 PM

Most Excellent!!!!

I think you should start a new project to entertain us. How about a nice homemade telescope???

--------------------
8" LX200gps
AP1200GTO Mach1GTO
FS-60C Tak E160 C9.25
SXV-H9 ST2000XM STV
Meade 12" Lightbridge
Moonlite Focusers
www.doghouseastronomy.com



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WidowMaker
scholastic sledgehammer
*****

Reged: 12/29/07
Posts: 815
Loc: Frankfort, Ky
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: DeanS]
      #2492073 - 06/30/08 05:47 PM

Hello all.
This is Mrs. Widowmaker. I've been reading along as you all have posted. It's been so fun being a part of this! I really got in to building and working hard all day, then I would come in here myself and keep refreshing the screen to see if anyone had replied yet. Thank you all for all of the advice and compliments. You see I have a problem with thinking I can do whatever I set my mind to. As you can see it can get me in over my head. But I am proud we carried on. Each step that almost broke us, made us more determined to finish it by ourselves. I am very sad to say that I will never be building anything ever again!!! I'm sorry you're entertaining posts will cease. But I'm pooped! I am home from work today to find my wonderful hubby has put everything back the way it was before this adventure started. I have my bedroom, and living room back! If Mike wants to build something else I have to say I will probably pass. I have some cute pics of our boys, and our cute dogs if that will help? I'll quit babbling now. Thank you all for all of your help and support, we really would have been stuck without it. I guess this is as it should be. We quit while we're ahead!

--------------------
Sleep is the Cousin of Death


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Spoonsize
Vendor/Clothing
*****

Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 2184
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: WidowMaker]
      #2492089 - 06/30/08 05:59 PM

Aux Contraire...Mrs. WidowMaker...tis US that owe you a hugh thanks and debt of gratitude for taking us all along on this quest of yours. Trust me....we all had a wonderful time, and hope you get to enjoy your observatory for years to come!!!!

When is the first open invitation star party????

--------------------
Steve Durham
www.margesmonograms.com
(Marge made me do it)


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csa/montanaModerator
Astro Ambassador
*****

Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28619
Loc: montana
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: WidowMaker]
      #2492192 - 06/30/08 06:55 PM

Mrs. WidowMaker: So nice to "meet" you! With all the experience you have building now, never say never again!

Beautiful job; what made it so special is how you two worked as a team, rarely do we see where the wife jumps in & works side by side, building an Observatory!

Congratulations!

A job very, very well done!

--------------------
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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THEPLOUGH
Nailed Again
*****

Reged: 01/11/08
Posts: 3957
Loc: Carlisle, Cumbria, ENGLAND
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: Spoonsize]
      #2492211 - 06/30/08 06:59 PM

Quote:

Aux Contraire...Mrs. WidowMaker...tis US that owe you a hugh thanks and debt of gratitude for taking us all along on this quest of yours. Trust me....we all had a wonderful time, and hope you get to enjoy your observatory for years to come!!!!

When is the first open invitation star party????




I second that. Well done to all concerned .......

--------------------
Geoff...

Nexstar 8SE -- 9X50 RACI Finder scope... 6.3 F/R.-- 13 & 17mm Hyperion EPs.. 25mm Celestron E- Lux EP.. 2X Celestron X-Cel Barlow----- Celestron solar filter + A few bits and pieces..

Never give up on any one..... MIRACLES happen every day....


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WidowMaker
scholastic sledgehammer
*****

Reged: 12/29/07
Posts: 815
Loc: Frankfort, Ky
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: THEPLOUGH]
      #2492221 - 06/30/08 07:06 PM

Thanks ya'll. I just know Widowmaker would have done this for me. I love him more than anything and want him to have whatever makes him happy.

--------------------
Sleep is the Cousin of Death


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WidowMaker
scholastic sledgehammer
*****

Reged: 12/29/07
Posts: 815
Loc: Frankfort, Ky
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: WidowMaker]
      #2492291 - 06/30/08 07:42 PM

Hey yall!
The wife told me she posted and I had to put my hammer down and sneak in here and see what she said.

Shes so sweet, im such a lucky guy.

Thank you all for the help and nice words, I feel like a part of something bigger than myself here, its a great feeling to think of so many strangers around this country and outside of it as friends...who are always welcome to stop by and come inside the 'observatory with no name'.

Quote:

I think you should start a new project to entertain us. How about a nice homemade telescope???





OMG! No way! How dare you suggest such a thing! Is it hard to do?


Quote:

Are you sure you can't build a second floor or something so that we can keep having your posts?




Well, we havent decided what to do about a warm room yet.
Theres enough space inside my obs to put me a desk and a computer but then ill be cold in the winter.
The wife thinks we should either build a warm room like on the West side-a little room with heat and I could run back and forth if I wanted.

Or cut a hole in the North wall and attach a little room just big enough for a computer table, chair, heater and other stuff then I could just step into from there.

We havent decided yet. Last winter wasnt that bad, and I keep thinking that if Im just inside somewhere with no wind then Ill be okay...but thats easy to say when its 90° outside. Ya know?

Well, i finished most of my walls and even put up a poster of the moon and the Northern and Southern Hemispheres that came in a S&T magazine I think.

Im not gonna put any fake wall up higher than 4 feet until the electricians come and tell me what they need to do.
They said it would be tommorrow. Im so excited about it.

Im gonna go make a few more cuts before dark. Thank you all again, I cant say it enough. Now if I can just make it until the big ole portable air conditioner and free Dell P3 900 gets here Ill be okay.

I also want to find a Messier and Caldwell poster.

--------------------
Sleep is the Cousin of Death


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DeanS
professor emeritus


Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 505
Loc: Nicholasville, Kentucky
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: WidowMaker]
      #2492528 - 06/30/08 10:19 PM

What difference does it make if building a telescope is hard to do???

Heck you built an observatory and started off pretty clueless I say go for it as it can't be nearly has hard as this last project hehehe

--------------------
8" LX200gps
AP1200GTO Mach1GTO
FS-60C Tak E160 C9.25
SXV-H9 ST2000XM STV
Meade 12" Lightbridge
Moonlite Focusers
www.doghouseastronomy.com



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rodney
domed in NJ
*****

Reged: 03/08/05
Posts: 463
Loc: Asbury, NJ
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! new [Re: WidowMaker]
      #2492596 - 06/30/08 11:01 PM

I am pretty sure that is a garage door sweep. You can find them in the millwork area (aisle 51) of Lowe's and in the aisle (aisle 4) that has all the door and window insulations. I used the same thing around the mounting ring on my Explora Dome to keep blowing rain and snow out. It has work great over the past 15 months.

Yep, work for Lowe's.

Clear skies,

--------------------
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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csa/montanaModerator
Astro Ambassador
*****

Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28619
Loc: montana
Re: WidowMaker's observatory project under way! [Re: rodney]
      #2492641 - 06/30/08 11:28 PM

I looked in Lowe's & Home Depot in the door & window insulations & didn't see this

Perhaps when he gets the sales slip it will have a product #.

--------------------
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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