Telescope Reviews: Chapel Grove Observatory

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Equipment Discussions >> Observatories

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stmguy
super member

Reged: 10/11/12

Loc: Western NH

Chapel Grove Observatory
#5466873 - 10/12/12 12:51 PM Attachment (113 downloads)

I started on this sometime in July . It's a work in progress and I have an issue with the roof trying to walk around. I need to fine tune the position of the wheels I guess. I designed it so I can drop the roof back down to hopefully keep the bugs out etc.

lots of pics here
https://picasaweb.google.com/ntfredrick/ObservatoryConstruction#

Norm

Edited by stmguy (10/12/12 12:52 PM)

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stmguy
super member

Reged: 10/11/12

Loc: Western NH

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: stmguy]
#5466874 - 10/12/12 12:53 PM Attachment (78 downloads)

Guess I need a separate post for separate photos

Edited by stmguy (10/12/12 12:54 PM)

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stmguy
super member

Reged: 10/11/12

Loc: Western NH

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: stmguy]
#5466877 - 10/12/12 12:54 PM Attachment (81 downloads)

another, it rotates !

Edited by stmguy (10/12/12 12:59 PM)

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stmguy
super member

Reged: 10/11/12

Loc: Western NH

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: stmguy]
#5466886 - 10/12/12 12:59 PM Attachment (73 downloads)

One more

Edited by stmguy (10/12/12 01:00 PM)

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Wmacky
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 11/24/07

Loc: Florida

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: stmguy]
#5466936 - 10/12/12 03:12 PM

Wow, I didn't see that comming!

Extra points for being unusual..

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stmguy
super member

Reged: 10/11/12

Loc: Western NH

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: Wmacky]
#5466942 - 10/12/12 03:17 PM

Thanks, it works ...just turns a little hard which I hope to improve by fine tuning the roller positions. I wish I had used golf balls now, I think that may have worked better

Norm

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Starman27
Post Laureate

Reged: 01/29/06

Loc: Illinois, Iowa

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: stmguy]
#5467041 - 10/12/12 04:35 PM

I agree. Extra points.

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stmguy
super member

Reged: 10/11/12

Loc: Western NH

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: Starman27]
#5475636 - 10/17/12 06:20 PM Attachment (60 downloads)

Got a chance to align the caster axles with the center of the building, made a HUGE difference. I can now push it pretty easily most of the time and sometimes when i give it a shove it keeps on going! I used a laser set up in the center of the ring and an old secondary mirror to bounce the beam back.. I just kept adjusting the roller carriers until the beam bounced back to itself .

Norm

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stmguy
super member

Reged: 10/11/12

Loc: Western NH

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: stmguy]
#5475646 - 10/17/12 06:25 PM Attachment (46 downloads)

Bounced back , off a lot

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stmguy
super member

Reged: 10/11/12

Loc: Western NH

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: stmguy]
#5475653 - 10/17/12 06:31 PM Attachment (46 downloads)

getting better

Edited by stmguy (10/17/12 06:31 PM)

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stmguy
super member

Reged: 10/11/12

Loc: Western NH

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: stmguy]
#5475659 - 10/17/12 06:34 PM Attachment (49 downloads)

Best line up

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Starman27
Post Laureate

Reged: 01/29/06

Loc: Illinois, Iowa

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: stmguy]
#5476102 - 10/17/12 11:37 PM

Good fix.

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Stargaz18
super member

Reged: 01/04/11

Loc: Wichita Falls, TX

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: Starman27]
#5477743 - 10/18/12 09:12 PM

Yeah the golf balls would of bound up against each other. Nice Ob!!

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nytecam
Postmaster

Reged: 08/20/05

Loc: London UK

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: stmguy]
#5479953 - 10/20/12 06:27 AM

Quote:

Thanks, it works ...just turns a little hard which I hope to improve by fine tuning the roller positions. I wish I had used golf balls now, I think that may have worked better Norm

Nice obsy - yes - golfballs will bunch-up and jam UNLESS grouped with each set enclosed in a 'sleeve' on underside of dome to keep them apart

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stmguy
super member

Reged: 10/11/12

Loc: Western NH

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: nytecam]
#5480015 - 10/20/12 08:21 AM

Thanks , didn't know that about the golf balls. I think i'm getting there with the rollers. It still tries to "walk" but my side rollers are helping with that . I may replace my homemade side rollers with actual ball bearings

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stmguy
super member

Reged: 10/11/12

Loc: Western NH

Re: Chapel Grove Observatory new

[Re: stmguy]
#5482324 - 10/21/12 05:04 PM Attachment (33 downloads)

I worked on my sliding hatch today. It uses a couple of old server rails . While I don't quite get 100% clear opening it's pretty close and can't beat the price.

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