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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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I had a fabu observing session Monday night, pulling up some fainter PNs (for urban skies) with my 22-inch f4 Dob. These included NGC 6765 in Lyra (near M56) and NGC 6742 just over the border from Lyra in Draco. I have previously observed 6765 from dark sites, but I'm not sure I have ever observed it from my backyard in midtown KC. I think Monday night was my first 6742 observation. Though, I have to admit, in the past I have found previous observations in my astronomy logs when I thought I had seen something for the first time. 
I happened to take a picture of my backyard observing location before it grew dark and thought it would be fun to share. I also took some pictures the following morning when I was putting the scope away.
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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The music stand, shown in the front corner of the pad is a terrific observing accessory. They cost about $50 and are exactly the right size for the Sky Atlas 2000 or a Uranometria atlas or NSOG book opened. A pair of Irwin Qwik release clamps (for breezy conditions) completes the package.
It may seem a bit odd, but my wife and I decided not to put in a garage. Our backyard is small enough already, and we sometimes like to park our 22-foot RV on it. Also, the jungle to the east is supposed to be a vegetable garden.  The garage would have messed that up too.
People will tell you that a concrete pad is not a good observing location because the concrete gives off heat at night. But, the hackberry trees on the west side of our yard shade the driveway all afternoon (and the shed where I keep my scopes), and I have never had a problem with heat from the concrete. It is a delightful surface to move around on in the dark, I can tell you.
And before anyone asks, the extension ladder on the east side of the pad is NOT for my scope. (I have been using it to refill niger feeders placed high up in our hackberry trees to attract goldfinches.)
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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Here is a picture of the Dob base wrapped up. At the end of an observing session, I remove the secondary cage and truss poles, and then cover the base with a tarp. Putting the scope away is a two-person job and getting Elly up at 2:00 AM to help me would be a life-threatening maneuver.
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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Here is the base, unwrapped.
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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Here is the mirror box on the setup table.
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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The procedure is to move the mirror box from the rocker base in the shed and put it on the table. Then move the rocker base to the driveway. Then set the mirror box on the rocker base.
I actually left the base in position on the driveway Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights this week, which made setup much faster and easier. To make the scope quicker to set up and easier to use, I have decided (with the CFO's blessing) to build a second shed, for telescopes only, in the north corner of where the jungle is at present. Our vegetable garden area is larger than we actually need. (When it is planted, that is.) I plan to build the shed so I can roll the Dob, fully set up, out onto the concrete pad. That way, it shouldn't take more than a minute to get it out or put it away. Rolling it out in the early evening, before we have dinner, will allow plenty of cool down time before I start observing.
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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jayscheuerle
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/16/06
Posts: 2989
Loc: S. Philadelphia, PA
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Wait, wait, wait... THIS is your "urban" viewing site? My entire block has 3 trees on it! I'd drive half an hour to get to a site like your driveway... 
Gorgeous scope, no matter WHERE you put it. - j
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12" Green Goblin (trusser w/Protstar secondary and OWL refigured primary)• 6" f/5 Eero2 ball-scope • 6" f/5 Frankenscope • Garrett Optical 10x50 binos • Edmund 8" yoke-mounted red-tube reflector • Edmund 6" GEQ red-tube reflector (on loan to Dad)
Gone, but with lessons learned:
Skyquest XT8 • NexSTar 8i • Eeroscope 6" f/5 ball(sacrifice was not in vain) • Vixen ED80sf • Edmund red-tube 4.25" f/10 • Edmund Astroscan
Facts are stubborn things.
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rnabholz
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/25/04
Posts: 764
Loc: Iowa
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Fiske,
You took away my fun with your disclaimer about the ladder - I was going to suggest that if your scope's movements were so stiff that you could lean that ladder against it, you might want look at tweaking things a bit.........
The proposed shed sounds like a great addition. Sometimes I think the hardest part of the hobby is overcoming the inertia to get out to observe. Making it easier to set up should be a big help in that regard.
I agree with Jay, that is a fantastic looking scope - I love those huge bearings, and your craftsmanship is outstanding.
Great stuff.
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Rod Nabholz
Home Built Astronomy Projects
Wild Bird Photography
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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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Guys:
Thanks for your kind remarks about my scope. It was a tremendous amount of work. I have never put so much effort into a project before. But, I have to say, the result was worth it. I just love observing with this telescope. Just being around it makes me feel better.
And the truth is I need a lot of cheering up these days. We just lost our dog, Samba, to bone cancer on Tuesday. He was a cherished member of our family for nine years and my wife and I are both having a hard time coping.
Jay, we're about three minutes from downtown KC in a 100 year old neighborhood. We're fortunate to have several parks nearby, and we're also on the highest point in KC with bluffs (undevelopable) on the north and west sides of our neighborhood. I've seen deer crossing Karnes blvd a few blocks from our house. Coyotes and foxes, too. One night when I was observing in our backyard, a large barred owl came sailing up and perched on a pole in my neighbor's yard scoping for mice.
Once, we thought about moving out of the urban core to get a bigger yard (for dogs and gardening) and darker skies. But we love our neighborhood so much. We've lived here in midtown for 20 years and have gotten to the point where leaving it is unthinkable. Plus, after 16 years of putting up with a miserable kitchen, Elly got her dream kitchen a few years ago (I call it a Culinary Temple to the Gods). So we are not moving.
I'm thankful to have the observing opportunities that I do have. We whacked three trees (including a 70-foot hackberry) out of the east side of the backyard in order to lighten up the north side of our house (which was cave-like due to all the shade), make the vegetable garden possible, and improve the observing situation. My front yard has a tremendous southern exposure, but also lots of street lights. I plan to build some lightscreens to set up out there to observe with smaller scopes, but bringing the big scope out front is pretty much a non-starter. It is a magnet for just about anyone who sees it -- some of whom you don't really want to attract, if you know what I mean.
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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Quote:
Sometimes I think the hardest part of the hobby is overcoming the inertia to get out to observe.
Yes!
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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Mike B
Starstruck
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 4460
Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA
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Quote:
Gorgeous scope, no matter WHERE you put it.
Let me second that! 
You certainly have earned the "right" to feel good about that accomplishment...
Yup, sounds like you're truly "at-home" there- an enviable situation, to be sure! I once had my burrial plot in the backyard all picked out  ... but the 'hood changed over time, so now we're just hangin' on waiting for a happier place to live.
You have our heart-felt sympathy on losing Samba  We just (2-months) lost our beloved SugarBelle to a leukemia-type condition, at 7-1/2 years. There will be other dogs, but never one like her!
Regards,
 mike b
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Just for giggles- Next time when the money comes out the ATM, scream "I Won!, I Won!"
* * 15" F4.55 Starsplitter Dob * *
 Pacheco State Park
 Fremont Peak
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helpwanted
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/04/07
Posts: 1757
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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beautiful scope!!! can i order a 12" from ya?
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HoundDog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 1747
Loc: Greenwell Springs, La.
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I'm sorry to hear about Samba. Your location and scope are beautiful... the landscaping leads to privacy and I like that a lot.
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Ernest
Discovery DHQ 8" F7 Dob
GSO 30 Superview
TV 24 Panoptic
GSO 20 Superview
TV 13T6 Nagler
TV 15 Plossl
TV 11 Plossl
Burgess/TMB 9 Planetary
Celestron Ultima Barlow
Catseye Cheshire and Autocollimator
Tectron Sight Tube
And two worthless cats!
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okiestarman56
super member
Reged: 04/10/08
Posts: 266
Loc: 36.9'33" N 95.23'29" W
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Sorry to hear of your loss. Would it be possible for you to put your scope in your copier and run me off a copy, that is a gorgeous scope. Jerry
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305mm f/5 GSO 12" DSO
114mm f/7.8 Tasco 4.5" Red Tube
80mm f/15 Sears 3.1" Refractor #412.44540
60mm f/15 Sears 2.3" Refractor #4 6305-A
60mm f/15 Sears 2.3" Refractor #4451
Plenty of EPs? .965 to 2"
2 LPI's
Home made Denver chair
3-7'x10' light panels
yada yada yada
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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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Guys:
Thanks so much for your kind words about my scope and about Samba.
Mike, I was sure sorry to hear about SugarBelle. Samba was one of those special dogs, too. Once in a lifetime types. He never lost the ability to amaze us, even on his last day. I was finally about to write about it, and added a post to my blog this morning.
Can't take any orders for scopes until after I hang our new bathroom door, finish the laundry and day rooms, build our library room, paint the hallway, finish our main stair case, rebuild our front entrance, etc., etc., etc. 
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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okiestarman56
super member
Reged: 04/10/08
Posts: 266
Loc: 36.9'33" N 95.23'29" W
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So next weekend then?
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305mm f/5 GSO 12" DSO
114mm f/7.8 Tasco 4.5" Red Tube
80mm f/15 Sears 3.1" Refractor #412.44540
60mm f/15 Sears 2.3" Refractor #4 6305-A
60mm f/15 Sears 2.3" Refractor #4451
Plenty of EPs? .965 to 2"
2 LPI's
Home made Denver chair
3-7'x10' light panels
yada yada yada
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Mike B
Starstruck
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 4460
Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA
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Fiske-
What a wonderful way to spend a "last day" with your friend!
I wept as i read.
For many of us, our dogs double as our observing partners- at least at times. Our SugarBelle was also dubbed "Astrodog", and will always have a place in my astro-memories.
Considering the size & proportions of your Dob, if you were ever of the mind to *name* it- "Samba" could be perfect!
 mike b
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Just for giggles- Next time when the money comes out the ATM, scream "I Won!, I Won!"
* * 15" F4.55 Starsplitter Dob * *
Pacheco State Park
Fremont Peak
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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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Quote:
So next weekend then?
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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Mike:
Thanks so much! Unless she was at work or on a trip, Samba was rarely ever more than a few feet away from Elly. He kept her company when I was out observing, not to mention performing guard duty at home.
I actually named the scope the "Harold E. Whitney" after my grandfather he got me started in woodworking.
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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zehnmm
member
Reged: 12/24/07
Posts: 78
Loc: South Central New Mexico
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Quote:
.....
And the truth is I need a lot of cheering up these days. We just lost our dog, Samba, to bone cancer on Tuesday. He was a cherished member of our family for nine years and my wife and I are both having a hard time coping.
Fiske: I am very sorry to hear about your loss of Samba. We, too, lost our Simba this past January. Simba was a 13 1/2 year old chocolate lab. We are still grieving to this very day.
Thanks for sharing about Samba and about your fabulous telescope.
God bless,
Steve
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My stuff so far:
XT8 Dob
Pan 27, Nagler 12T4, TV 2x Barlow, Pentax XF 8.5
Glatter 2"/1.25" single beam laser + 2" Blug; Tectron tools.
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