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Home observatories
Discuss your home observatory!
Topics: 60

60 Topics

734 Posts

Last post Re: It's Finally Time To Buil…
by Gordon View the latest post
Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:10 am
ATM
Discuss making your own telescope!
Topics: 34

34 Topics

322 Posts

Last post Re: My 3rd camera barndoor, a…
by OzEclipse View the latest post
Sat Apr 02, 2022 2:30 pm
Other "Do It Yourself" projects
Tell us about those other projects you are working on.
Topics: 89

89 Topics

931 Posts

Last post Re: Rotatable finder mount
by John Fitzgerald View the latest post
Thu Dec 23, 2021 4:32 pm

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32 topics

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My Mini Observatory

Last post by Ylem « Tue May 17, 2022 6:31 pm
Replies: 6
by Ken_nneth » Wed Mar 23, 2022 6:44 pm

First post

Several people have shown interest in my little mini observatory, so I’ll post some more pictures. I had no drawings or instructions, it’s all just...

Last post

Very nice 👍

6 Replies

284 Views

Last post by Ylem
Tue May 17, 2022 6:31 pm
A Todmorden Pier

Last post by Lady Fraktor « Sat May 07, 2022 4:28 am
Replies: 1
by Jockinireland » Fri May 06, 2022 9:16 pm

First post

This past year has been very fryustrating for me in terms of AP. The extremely poor skies everyone has suffered has been compounded for me by very...

Last post

Very nice, these were actually quite popular a few years ago for a semi-permanent setup.
I hope you get a lot of use from it. :)

1 Replies

99 Views

Last post by Lady Fraktor
Sat May 07, 2022 4:28 am
rate my flocking job? orion ST80 F5 fully flocked

Last post by MistrBadgr « Tue Apr 26, 2022 12:40 am
Replies: 2
by realflow100 » Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:47 pm

First post

I flocked every part I could see through the focuser. including the focuser. telescope tube walls. and even the lens hood. all got the flocking...

Last post

Looks good to me!:) With all the flocking, you will be able to see things much closer to the Moon than you might imagine.

2 Replies

113 Views

Last post by MistrBadgr
Tue Apr 26, 2022 12:40 am
DIY rubber feet for your astronomical tripod

Last post by JayTee « Sat Mar 05, 2022 9:16 pm
Replies: 1
by Bigzmey » Sat Mar 05, 2022 12:09 am

First post

My iOptron AZMP tripod legs have metal caps which removable metal spikes.

legs caps.jpg

legs spikes.jpg

Neither is good for a wooden deck or...

Last post

What a great discovery. This is an excellent use of an object intended for something completely different. Although, one could claim that...

1 Replies

264 Views

Last post by JayTee
Sat Mar 05, 2022 9:16 pm
ASI cam cover

Last post by Dragonsfire « Mon Feb 28, 2022 2:57 pm
Replies: 5
by Dragonsfire » Sun Feb 27, 2022 8:47 pm

First post

With a neighborhood with vandals it always scares me to leave the camera out all night with its flashy red color so I made a cover for it.
(hoping to...

Last post

It looks like this Camera Cover will reduce the Cooling Effect of the Red Aluminum Camera Body.

By the way, if heat is an issue one can add a fan...

5 Replies

403 Views

Last post by Dragonsfire
Mon Feb 28, 2022 2:57 pm
ETX-90 Wobble Fixed

Last post by Greyfox « Thu Dec 16, 2021 2:31 am
Replies: 5
by Greyfox » Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:10 pm

First post

So I'm just a every once in a while astronomer that has over the course of several years collected enough junk that I can now use my Nikon D3100 on...

Last post

Have you taken any photos with this combo yet? My camera shutter shakes my etx 90 :(

Sorry, had issues with my Mac.

Took this one the other night...

5 Replies

4463 Views

Last post by Greyfox
Thu Dec 16, 2021 2:31 am
getting a free 6" F5 reflector telescope! but with no tube part

Last post by Lady Fraktor « Sun Nov 21, 2021 5:30 am
Replies: 14
by realflow100 » Wed Oct 27, 2021 4:11 am

First post

Any super simple cheap ideas for making or obtaining a tube for it?
I'm thinking strips of stacked cardboard as a frame with a cloth covering.
Or...

Last post

You can buy a new 150mm + secondary for a reasonable price.

Check the Stellafane website to see how to build a primary and secondary holder as well...

14 Replies

8828 Views

Last post by Lady Fraktor
Sun Nov 21, 2021 5:30 am
Just flocked my refractor 70mm scope! Excited :D

Last post by realflow100 « Fri Nov 12, 2021 4:04 am
Replies: 4
by realflow100 » Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:29 am

First post

I used the flocking scraps that came with the free 6 reflector mirror package/kit thing (Someone sent it to me free of charge. even free shipping)...

Last post

Did even more flocking and removed the baffle in the focuser. and moved back the baffle in the main telescope tube even further away from the...

4 Replies

3982 Views

Last post by realflow100
Fri Nov 12, 2021 4:04 am
Fake star DIY for focusing

Last post by maceemiller « Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:01 am
Replies: 4
by maceemiller » Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:11 pm

First post

Hi all.

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but im sure it will be moved if needed.

I love attempting astrophotography.......as hard...

Last post

Carl,

I believe that ten feet away is not far enough to give you infinity Focus. The light rays at that distance are still diverging since it's not...

4 Replies

2967 Views

Last post by maceemiller
Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:01 am
3d printed EP cap

Last post by 10538 « Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:44 am
Replies: 4
by Bigzmey » Mon Aug 02, 2021 5:52 pm

First post

This is probably old news to many, but it is my first printed EP cap and I am easily excited. :)

My used Pentax XW 3.5mm came without top dust cap....

Last post

Very cool! I think I still have caps on back order from Agena😩!

4 Replies

4893 Views

Last post by 10538
Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:44 am
rip my cameras mirror assembly. spring popped out and wont focus anymore

Last post by realflow100 « Tue Jul 20, 2021 1:27 am
Replies: 2
by realflow100 » Sun Jul 18, 2021 3:32 am

First post

rip my cameras mirror assembly. spring popped out and now it wont focus anymore in optical viewfinder mode. it just hunts like the sensor is...

Last post

Oh dear goodness :( Thats not good :(

2 Replies

2268 Views

Last post by realflow100
Tue Jul 20, 2021 1:27 am
Taking the OnStep plunge

Last post by SkyHiker « Mon May 10, 2021 2:42 pm
Replies: 21
by SkyHiker » Sat Aug 15, 2020 4:57 pm
1

2
First post

I'm not happy with my current goto kit for the G11S. Yesterday I signed on to the OnStep group and put together a bill of materials to make two basic...

Last post

Hi Guys,
I chanced upon this thread when looking for fellow DIY'ers who've built the OnStep. I know there's a tonne of us out there. I used to have a...
21 Replies

13041 Views

Last post by SkyHiker
Mon May 10, 2021 2:42 pm
Trolley accessory.

Last post by Greenman « Mon May 10, 2021 7:55 am
Replies: 6
by Greenman » Sun May 09, 2021 3:30 pm

First post

So I have been tweaking my setup, and trying to ease my setting up/wire control.

I invested in an inexpensive trolley, metal and fold flat. To house...

Last post

That looks like a good idea Tony.

And that's a very eclectic book collection you have there!

Regards

Graeme

Heh, indeed part of a much larger...

6 Replies

3362 Views

Last post by Greenman
Mon May 10, 2021 7:55 am
Plywood pier

Last post by Rickl « Wed Feb 17, 2021 3:50 am
Replies: 6
by Rickl » Fri Feb 12, 2021 2:05 am

First post

Some time ago I had seen a design for a pier made of plywood, but I have been unable to track the post. It might have been on the old Astronomy...

Last post

I have tried to post a reply here several times, but none have appeared. My thanks to those who have replied. KathyNS, it is your mount I was...

6 Replies

4271 Views

Last post by Rickl
Wed Feb 17, 2021 3:50 am
Well, THAT didn't work -- DSLR conversion to B&W

Last post by SkyHiker « Sun Feb 07, 2021 3:00 am
Replies: 7
by BABOafrica » Fri Feb 05, 2021 12:37 pm

First post

I got a good deal on an old Fuji X-A2 (ebay). The seller warned me that it had been exposed to water and the sensor had problems but still worked.

I...

Last post

It's dead, Jim!

You are braver than I am, Babo. At least you have a source of spare parts.

Well, the camera only cost me $40. And, as you said,...

7 Replies

3829 Views

Last post by SkyHiker
Sun Feb 07, 2021 3:00 am
making my first fast mirror

Last post by BABOafrica « Fri Feb 05, 2021 12:46 pm
Replies: 5
by BABOafrica » Wed Dec 09, 2020 12:19 pm

First post

I've made several mirrors over the years: 1 x 8 / 3 x 10 / 2 x 12.5 . They were all slow mirrors (f/6+).

I was visiting my family in Washington DC...

Last post

I got the mirror and started working on it. Here are the pictures...

The (wet) mirror at the beginning (it arrived in the mail already partially...

5 Replies

3639 Views

Last post by BABOafrica
Fri Feb 05, 2021 12:46 pm
Cheap All Sky camera project with Raspberry Pi

Last post by c64 « Sat Jan 02, 2021 3:20 pm
Replies: 13
by c64 » Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:35 pm

First post

Hello!

My friend Jani made a program to capture night sky events with cheap Raspberry Pi hardware. Now the program is ready and it supports all...

Last post

Do you treat the inside/outside of the dome to prevent dew/rain/crud build up?

The heat resistors are inside dome and it works great!

13 Replies

8114 Views

Last post by c64
Sat Jan 02, 2021 3:20 pm
DIY astro tracker

Last post by StargazerQ « Wed Dec 23, 2020 10:43 pm
Replies: 6
by StargazerQ » Wed Oct 07, 2020 9:33 pm

First post

A few years ago I found good tips on how to build a tracker in this forum (or astronomyforum.net actually). I've completed the project 2 years ago...

Last post

That's a nice looking tracker you got there. And it obviously works wonders with your camera. Very nice images!

BABO

Thanks, a fun project to do,...

6 Replies

4596 Views

Last post by StargazerQ
Wed Dec 23, 2020 10:43 pm
Self-modified Fuji X-a1 success

Last post by BABOafrica « Sat Nov 28, 2020 10:26 pm
Replies: 8
by SkyHiker » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:20 pm

First post

Encouraged by Joe's (BABOafrica) successful modification I decided to give it another try with an unused Fuji X-a1 in my sock drawer. Last time I...

Last post

Indistinguishable.

It will be interesting to see a comparison when you use the 127mm.

Many thanks for posting this.

No problem, I was interested...

8 Replies

4747 Views

Last post by BABOafrica
Sat Nov 28, 2020 10:26 pm
ASI120mc Connected to SLR

Last post by Dragonsfire « Sun Sep 20, 2020 3:11 pm
Replies: 4
by Dragonsfire » Fri Sep 18, 2020 8:58 pm

First post

Did an experiment to attach the two and finally got an adapter printed.
Huge magnification from the 70-210 zoom slr.

Post.jpg...

Last post

lol, no, haven't seen the sky in a while, raining right now. Fire Smoke new problem besides the clouds.
First chance I have Il be aiming it up their...

4 Replies

3561 Views

Last post by Dragonsfire
Sun Sep 20, 2020 3:11 pm
Meade Star Tracker

Last post by Piet Le Roux « Mon Sep 14, 2020 7:46 pm
Replies: 4
by Piet Le Roux » Mon Sep 14, 2020 4:33 pm

First post

I have been looking at a few star tracker camera mounts but with prices between $250 and $500 I had to put it on the back burner Then I saw a Meade...

Last post

Neat idea, I have one of those from an ETX-60 gathering dust. New project!

Thanks,
Steve

You would have to get a Autostar 497 controller because...

4 Replies

3404 Views

Last post by Piet Le Roux
Mon Sep 14, 2020 7:46 pm
Counter balance on Meade

Last post by Lady Fraktor « Wed Aug 12, 2020 7:48 pm
Replies: 5
by murphcc1 » Wed Aug 12, 2020 3:39 pm

First post

Hey all, for the life of me I have not found ANY counter balance systems model #1401 available for the Meade 8 SCT, everyone has it on back order. I...

Last post

A nice adaption :)

5 Replies

3834 Views

Last post by Lady Fraktor
Wed Aug 12, 2020 7:48 pm
Accurate barn door tracker, finished project

Last post by Ruud « Mon Aug 03, 2020 1:18 pm
Replies: 3
by Saturn/Uranus » Mon Jun 08, 2020 6:39 pm

First post

heres the album for my diy barn door tracker project
i would have interspersed my text with separate images but it was slow and painful enough...

Last post

It looks so well thought through! Very nicely made too.

You could bring it to market, that's how fancy it looks.

3 Replies

4171 Views

Last post by Ruud
Mon Aug 03, 2020 1:18 pm
12 inch binoscope project

Last post by helicon « Sun Aug 02, 2020 3:45 pm
Replies: 8
by AdriGlassPusher » Thu May 28, 2020 1:09 pm

First post

Greetings,
This is a project I have been working on recently, a binocular telescope with twin 12 inch mirrors. I got an idea to build myself a big...

Last post

This is what I had in mind, a binoscope made of 2 Dobs on an EQ platform. This link has all the details, HTH,

Thanks for passing on the link...

8 Replies

5657 Views

Last post by helicon
Sun Aug 02, 2020 3:45 pm
Base for Observatory

Last post by OhNo « Thu Jul 16, 2020 9:35 pm
Replies: 8
by OhNo » Sat Jun 27, 2020 6:08 pm

First post

Well, a used SkyShed Pod came up for sale on Canada-wide Buy and Sell. I don't frequent that web site often, but something told me I ought to.... you...

Last post

A few images.

20200627_212644.jpg 20200629_165133.jpg

8 Replies

5849 Views

Last post by OhNo
Thu Jul 16, 2020 9:35 pm

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