BradH
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/19/04
Posts: 1039
Loc: Spencer, Indiana
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Very nice guys its nice to a lot of observatories out there.
Brad
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skookum
member
Reged: 03/04/05
Posts: 68
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This it what I intend to build in my back yard.
This is what I intent to put in it...
I like the non-dome-shaped rotating roof however. Ah yes, designing can be really fun... 
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Skywatcher 80mm F5 achromat.
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5744
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
I like the non-dome-shaped rotating roof
Nice graphics - could you explain above? Looks like a slide-off 
Good luck with your project
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
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skookum
member
Reged: 03/04/05
Posts: 68
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Yep, really simple. The roof is supported by the standard posts which are not shown in the pic. The telescope is an 18" cassegrain.
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Skywatcher 80mm F5 achromat.
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5744
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
Yep, really simple. The roof is supported by the standard posts which are not shown in the pic. The telescope is an 18" cassegrain.
Great - that will be a massive focal length and image scale! Good luck - and there's me using a focal reducer down to 2m fl to get 'more sky in' 
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5744
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
Stargate 4173 at Grimaldi Tower
Stunning observatory Robert - and as an architect myself nice to see those rare detailed pro drawings on this forum What is your current scope within?
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
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Bob Antol
member
Reged: 10/07/05
Posts: 59
Loc: Poughquag, New York
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Quote:
Stunning observatory Robert - and as an architect myself nice to see those rare detailed pro drawings on this forum What is your current scope within?
I currently have a 10 year old 8-inch Meade LX-50. When my wife and I sat down with the architect to explain what we wanted, I indicated I was going to get a 16 foot Ash-Dome. My wife looked at me, then at my telescope, and then said "Isn't that telescope rather small for a 16 foot dome?"
I then replied, "Ah, I guess I will have to upgrade the scope then!"
Little did she know of my plans to upgrade  She walked right into that one!
I would like to upgrade to a 14-inch RCX400. I will be waiting a year or so to do this for 2 reasons:
(1) I would like to purchase an RCX400 with all the enhancements that current owners are asking for, and
(2) finances! I mean, I just built this observatory and new addition onto the existing house. Can you imagine? 
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Bob Antol
Equipment List
Stargate 4173 at Grimaldi Tower
Poughquag, New York USA
http://www.stargate4173.com/
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BradH
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/19/04
Posts: 1039
Loc: Spencer, Indiana
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Bob
I looked at your pictures from your website all i can say is wow  very very nice. I only have a LX200 12"gps maybe I can move in until you get your 14"
Brad
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5744
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
I would like to upgrade to a 14-inch RCX400. I will be waiting a year or so to do this for 2 reasons:
(1) I would like to purchase an RCX400 with all the enhancements that current owners are asking for, and
(2) finances!.....
The RCX400's a nice scope Robert - reviewed by colleague Nik Szymanek for UK Astronomy Now last autumn - I would have got if not on vacation when editor rang . Won't be upgrading myself from LX200 as I don't need a wider field for DSO etc - mine's mostly VS stellar + spectro
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
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David Knisely
Postmaster
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 8273
Loc: Beatrice, Nebraska
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Well, here is "my" observatory (well, it isn't mine personally, I just serve on the board of supervisors to help run the place). It is Hyde Memorial Observatory, a free public facility located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The structure consists of an observing deck with roll-off roof, a central connecting segment with restrooms, hallways, and audio/visual room, and a main lecture hall (the part sitting under the high pointed roof with the solar panels on it). The deck currently houses a C14 SCT, an 8 inch f/6 Newtonian, and a NexStar 11GPS SCT, along with a solar projection telescope. We also have a Coronado PST and an Edmund Astroscan RFT. The facility is open to the public each Saturday night, as well as at other times by reservation.
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David W. Knisely
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
Prairie Astronomy Club
http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
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David Knisely
Postmaster
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 8273
Loc: Beatrice, Nebraska
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Here is a shot of Hyde Observatory with the roof rolled back. The observatory is owned by the city of Lincoln, but is run by volunteers mainly from the Prairie Astronomy Club.
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David W. Knisely
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
Prairie Astronomy Club
http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
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David Knisely
Postmaster
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 8273
Loc: Beatrice, Nebraska
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Here is a shot of the observing deck from the hill east of the facility. You can just see the C14 peeking out (has to be level before we open or close the roof). You can also see the solar power panels on the roof and electrical systems on the side of the observatory used to generate electrical power to help, "make our meter run backwards".
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David W. Knisely
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
Prairie Astronomy Club
http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
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David Knisely
Postmaster
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 8273
Loc: Beatrice, Nebraska
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Here is a shot of the observing deck with a fellow volunteer manning the C14. The NexStar 11 sits to its right and the 8 inch Newtonian is out of the picture to the lower left...
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David W. Knisely
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
Prairie Astronomy Club
http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
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Rick Needham
Vendor (ExploraDome)
Reged: 09/20/05
Posts: 1962
Loc: Fort Ann, NY
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Very sharp! Thanks David for sharing these photos! 
Rick
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Rick
Lat. 44.18 N
Long. 74.31 W
6" STAR HOC f/5 Newtonian 'Amanda'- Orion Astroview w/ dual axis drives
Celestron NexImage CCD Imager
10x50 binocs
(NSO)Northern Skies Observatory...I'm finally domed with the 8' diameter Explora-Dome!!!
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Richard B. Drumm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 1482
Loc: Albemarle Co. Virginia
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David:
NIce place ya got there! I like the roll roof arrangement, using part of the rest of the building to hold it up. I like the way you dealt with the downspout on the corner, allowing it to "break" when rolling the roof.
How much did the solar electric panels cost and how much ROI (return on investment) does it make? How long till it pays for itself? With gas prices going through the roof the cost of everything is going to skyrocket. Solutions such as those PV panels will make more and more sense as we go along.
Thanks!
Rich
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Orion Atlas 10 (10" Newt on an equatorial mount)
Celestron 15x70 SkyMaster Binocs
Coronado Ha PST
President, Charlottesville Astronomical Society
IOTA member
38° 10' 57"N, 78° 23' 09"W
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Strgzr
sage
Reged: 04/16/06
Posts: 355
Loc: Apache Junction, Arizona
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Thats a Great looking observatory David! 
Your town must be very proud!
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Strgzr
My observatory construction pics
CHECK OUT THIS SITE!
Patina Gardens Observatory Clear Sky Clock
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David Knisely
Postmaster
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 8273
Loc: Beatrice, Nebraska
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Quote:
David:
NIce place ya got there! I like the roll roof arrangement, using part of the rest of the building to hold it up. I like the way you dealt with the downspout on the corner, allowing it to "break" when rolling the roof.
How much did the solar electric panels cost and how much ROI (return on investment) does it make? How long till it pays for itself? With gas prices going through the roof the cost of everything is going to skyrocket. Solutions such as those PV panels will make more and more sense as we go along.
Thanks!
Rich
Well, it was a cooperative demonstration project between the Observatory and the Lincoln Electric System, so I don't know all the cost details (it was rather expensive however). During the day, the panels feed an inverter and the system generates enough power to "make our meter run backwards" a bit, but at night, the meter runs the right way as we tap commercial power. Still, for reducing peak loads, it is somewhat viable, although somewhat expensive. Clear skies to you.
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David W. Knisely
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
Prairie Astronomy Club
http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
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David Knisely
Postmaster
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 8273
Loc: Beatrice, Nebraska
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Well, we had a board meeting tonight, and I found out that the Solar panel power system cost about $25,000 to purchase and install. It provides about 2 kW of power (up to 2.8 kW on occasion). Clear skies to you.
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David W. Knisely
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
Prairie Astronomy Club
http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
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Posaunist
super member
Reged: 09/17/03
Posts: 109
Loc: Arkansas, US
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My observatory was completed last summer. It was to replace my "astroshed" which had not faired well in our spring storms. What was perceived as an approximately month-long project turned into an all summer job. I've attached a photo, but the construction log and internal photos can be viewed from here: Click on "Observatory"
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10" LX200GPS UHTC & Digital Rebel My Astro Home
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Rick Needham
Vendor (ExploraDome)
Reged: 09/20/05
Posts: 1962
Loc: Fort Ann, NY
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Simply awesome Posaunist Well thought out design!
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Rick
Lat. 44.18 N
Long. 74.31 W
6" STAR HOC f/5 Newtonian 'Amanda'- Orion Astroview w/ dual axis drives
Celestron NexImage CCD Imager
10x50 binocs
(NSO)Northern Skies Observatory...I'm finally domed with the 8' diameter Explora-Dome!!!
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