TheSkySearchers-Welcome!

Thursday I found a Used SkyShed within driving distance 550 km one way. The seller took some additional pics and sent 'em to me, I reviewed them and called him back. It is in great shape....

Friday I dawned my ole truck drivin' hat and headed off. Twelve hours later I am back home with a trailer full of stuff. Pondered the support structure Saturday morning, went lumber shopping in the afternoon. Sunday Started out with a 2" drenching of liquid gold (to a farmer anyway). Worked on the floor Sunday afternoon in the shop. Hauled it over and placed it over the pier in the Evening.

Today the floor anchoring and decking was completed. Setting the dome up was the easiest part.... It all fit together great. The previous owner didn't take the dome halves apart which saved a bunch of time and work.

I should get a care package from the farmers around me. This purchase got use 2 1/2" of rain, they owe me! It hasn't been exactly wet here this year....

The sealing deck treatment will have to wait for stuff to dry. But it is together!

Looks awesome

Noice noice noice!!!

Very nice! I envy your horizon!

Thanks Kathy, that was one reason for not burying my mount below the top of the wall. While little AP should be attempted below 30 degrees, the rare occasion I need to get down in the dirt.....

Will be working on a convertor I salvaged out of an old camper. It will convert 120VAC to 12VDC. Still need 120V for the 'puter. Been eyeballing the ASIAir Pro, but there are none to be had at this time. If I do go the ASIAir route I will have to swap out my ASI120MM to a ASI120MM Mini. Don't know why the standard 120MM Won't work with the AIR

That looks wonderful. I'm afraid I'm a bit jealous. Thanks for sharing this image.

Cheers,
JT

Ps, Just wondering if the folks on "Corner Gas" can see your observatory? I loved that show. jt

Rouleau Sk. is about 280 km as the crow flies from my place. I didn't like the show!!!!! Gave the impression that Sk. people are simple and lousy at comedy!

That looks great. Let's see the inside when you're finished.

Very nice. I use my scope so much more having it in my dome.

This set-up will save me at least 20-25 minutes per session, and minimize the risks of taking the scope off in the wee hours of the morning. One concern is heat and humidity with the dome closed in the day time.

Great looking structure.
Hope that you have many great observing session using it.

The interior floor is panted (Black) now. Got to use it for the first time last night. Shot NGC7380 for 3.5 hours without having to move the dome. The Dome blocked the moonlight on the scope. Looking at the data it appears that this might help on those moonlit nights (assuming I'm choosing targets in the proper orientation to the moon).

I started using the pod facing North. This get my computer closest proximity to my WIFi. Having the counterweight shaft that close when Parked was un-nerving. Cable routing was also an issue. So I moved the computer (just on a TV tray at this time) to the pod facing SW. My other option is SE, but old habits die hard. The door is on the NE which makes me duck a little longer so not to interfere with imaging to the NE. BUT, I had to consider the weather elements at my location, this is the best forr my location.

Today is crib axe carpenter day again, I am no finish carpenter but I hope the laptop shelf construction will go alright! I tend to overbuild things, I don't need my computer falling on the floor, or hanging from the cables ruining my shot!!!! I should add, once everything is fired up I run the show remotely. You'd be surprised how quick an old dog can scurry the 35 yards to remedy an issue!!!!!

At the time of writing this I haven't drilled any new holes anywhere. Sitting here I am re-thinking my shelf plan. I have spoken for an ASIAir (extreme backorder issue due to covid). If I like it, there won't be a need for a computer shelf. Space is limited in this observatory, and I dislike dividing space with semi-permanent structure. Wonder how long it would take the wife to notice if I relocated a nightstand???

KathyNS wrote: ↑Tue Jun 30, 2020 6:04 pm Very nice! I envy your horizon!

Geez, me too! Just got back from some corn fields a few days ago. Unfortunately (?) a few old growth trees where I was at, but mainly like this:
Can't wait to go back.

Yup the ability to watch your dog run away for three days does have advantages. One disadvantage is in sparsely populated areas you'd be wise to come to terms with the fact that in a life threatening emergency you're probably going to die! Emergency response is minimal as compared to urban areas.....

LOL On that note I am at the stage of life when afterthoughts are common. I've known for years that what you do when you're young will catch up with you later. Had I known I was gonna live this long I'd of taken better care of myself!!!!! Naaa, what fun would that of been!!!

I have had the chance to use the Observatory for a couple sessions now. I have to admit it is feels tight in there. I had better explain! The pier is offset to the South 8" as suggested by the manufacturer. It has ample room to slew to every usable angle for imaging. But here is the "But", If I have to go out to tinker with the computer, getting from the door (NE) to the pod the computer is set up in (SW) and your shooting lower to the East, a few contortion moves are in order.

Like my first walk-in to our new home, empty looks enormous, and the stuff us humans want in there subtracts from the apparent space very quickly. I can move around in there but keeping away from the scope, Counterweight shaft, and cords will take forethought. Especially in the dark!!!! I could have set it up differently as in putting the door on the SW and the pod I use for the computer to the West, but Winter (7 month season here) had me configure the walls the way I did. Also, it is user friendly to the shortest trip back to my house! Again pitch black here a lot of the time.

The Observatory does save the monotonous task of setting up. balancing the scope, and the tear down. Having my red headlamp and using it for the trip to and from the scope location won't change. Before I got this building and was set up outside, I only had to keep in mind that I couldn't shoot to the West (where my little Motorhome was keeping my computer and scope (when not set on the pier).

Here of some shots of where I'm at today. I am seriously pondering a ASIAir to do away with the computer and a few of the wires. The 120V electric will be upgraded soon.

From the NE NE looking in W Looking in From the North

Since the pictures above were taken I did one more thing, I mounted the Zenith Table. I have no intentions of using it, but if it was stored it would likely get ruined or adapted to another use!!!!

At supper time it got it's first West Central test. 1 inch of rain coming in horizontal driven by a 49-50 mph breeze. I had to go see how much water ended up inside. A Bartender would be lookin' for something to fill the remainder of space in second shot glass! I'm surprisingly pleased!