Mini observatory project for the holidays

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SkyHiker United States of America
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Mini observatory project for the holidays

#1

Post by SkyHiker »


Observatory or a glorified storage box, that's up to the beholder. I just need to store my mount + OTA shielded from theft and weather to save myself setup and polar alignment time. It is small in box mode: 1.15 x 1.4 x 1.4 m, but wide enough to allow all scope motion when opened up (I simulated it in Scilab). This is for my G11 with the 12" Newt astrograph on top.

It will have one hinge at the rear, and a lid on top. Because it is so small it will be easy to take the lid off and open it up. It will be anchored to the ground with ground anchors on the inside and locked from the outside with padlocks (4 probably). It may have triplex flip-up boards on the inside for extra light and wind shielding.

It is small enough that I can put it up on my driveway without annoying the neighbors. If I screw it together I can take it apart in panels and store or transport it. I was thinking about fiberglassed triplex but to be done quicker I may just get some boards from Home Depot.
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... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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Butterfly Maiden Great Britain
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Re: Mini observatory project for the holidays

#2

Post by Butterfly Maiden »


I think it could be classed as both Henk, and why not.

It looks like a great construction, and if it works for you then it seems ideal.

Portability is a bonus too. Being able to take it with you to other areas for observing, without being complicated to put together and take down is excellent.

Good job.
Vanessa

Nikon D82 Fieldscope with 30x/45x/56x angled eyepiece.
Olympus DPS-1 10x50 binoculars.
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Re: Mini observatory project for the holidays

#3

Post by notFritzArgelander »


Looks good to me.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: Mini observatory project for the holidays

#4

Post by SkyHiker »


Actually if I set the home position like this then the size reduces to 1.0 x 1.2 x 1.5 m. That means that I can use 4x8 boards without having to patch two boards together. Hmm... now I have to try to see if I can cajole my mount into doing so. I mean, mechanically it can, I just need to check the electronic/firmware limits.
obsy4.png
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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Bigzmey United States of America
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Re: Mini observatory project for the holidays

#5

Post by Bigzmey »


Looks good Henk! Let us know how it will turn out.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Ylem United States of America
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Re: Mini observatory project for the holidays

#6

Post by Ylem »


That's a great idea Henk!
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


Member; ASTRA-NJ



Orion 80ED
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Re: Mini observatory project for the holidays

#7

Post by Michael131313 »


Nice and simple solution. I like it. Thanks.
ES AR 102 102mm, f/6.5, ES 254mm f/5 DOB, Obie 10x50, GSO SV 30mm, ES 68° 20mm, ES 82° 14mm, 11mm, 8.8 mm, 6.8mm, 4.7mm. Twilight 1 mount.
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