Anyone have an observatory?

[Tom2]

Anyone have one built into the attic of their house/garage? Or a separate structure?

This is something I've always wanted to do..Probably never will honestly, but fun to ponder.

I don't even have a telescope at the moment. Just using some 15X70 binoculars. But I'm probably going to buy the Zhumell 10" dobsonian when I can get a bit of money saved up.

I live in the country, but have 2 neighbors, both of which have really bright lights on all night.. Never understood why people do that.. What a drain on their electric bills..

Maybe one day I'd build a small structure. Maybe on concrete piers. A small foot print with a roof that's easily removable.

Anyone have a telescope, observatory, or have a dream set up?

 

[ptschram]

I helped build some parts for one back about 1991.

The owner had a small silo he converted. Somehow, he'd gotten a machine gun turret assembly and used that for the carriage for his telescope.

I machined a bunch of the pieces for the carriage and did some welding for him.

 

[Lotek]

I heard NJHandyGuy had one but his neighbor's husband made him take it down.

 

[dahur]

I have plans on getting Orion's XX12g Dob. I want the goto one, even though it's more $.

Funny thing is you can spend about as much on decent eyepiece's. I'm also going to get the tele vue 13mm

Check out this view of the moon on a 10" using the wide angle Tele vue 13mm.

It's like you're in orbit around the moon isn't it?
I can't wait to get it. The nights here in southern New Mexico are SO dark, and clear. Almost never any clouds.

 

[Tom2]

Yea, the Orion and Zhumell line of dobs are really the best value for amateur astronomers right now. At least if you want any aperture whatsoever. I'd like to be able to track the object in the sky. So I can set the scope, then have my Wife, check it etc...without having to constantly nudge it to keep it in view. That seems to be the biggest draw back of the cheap dobs.

You are VERY lucky to live in Southern NM..I can't even imagine how great the skies look there. I live in the Northeast and its pitiful. Last night was the first clear night in a long time. It was freezing, but I spent a few hours out with my binoculars. Was able to spot Orion's Nebula, 3 moons around Jupiter (too close to the Sun right now, not the best viewing), and Andromeda. And of course the Moon.

Might be able to sneak a little viewing in tonight. It's clouding up, but not too terrible.

I've spent a lot of time watching those types of videos on youtube. Just seeing a cheap camera or webcam in the lens of a telescope is great for newb's into the hobby. Really gives you an idea of what to expect, and keeps you from having too high of expectations.

 

[dahur]

Yea, the Orion and Zhumell line of dobs are really the best value for amateur astronomers right now. At least if you want any aperture whatsoever. I'd like to be able to track the object in the sky. So I can set the scope, then have my Wife, check it etc...without having to constantly nudge it to keep it in view. That seems to be the biggest draw back of the cheap dobs.
.

Yes, that's why I decided to spend the extra for the Goto. I know it would get old to keep nudging it, and I would end up getting the Goto anyways.
I can't hold my binocs still enough. You must be using a tri-pod?

 

[Tom2]

Yes, that's why I decided to spend the extra for the Goto. I know it would get old to keep nudging it, and I would end up getting the Goto anyways.
I can't hold my binocs still enough. You must be using a tri-pod?

They're actually not that bad to hold by hand - especially if you lean against something. I bought a cheap Wal-mart tripod.. I have to be on my knees to see through it. It also shakes even with no wind and not touching it But it does help some.
Making any observations of the planets holding them by hand without steadying them is pretty much impossible.

Saturn should be getting up a little in the sky.. Gonna run out with the binos and see if I can detect any ring. Not likely in my skies, bino size, and Saturns spot in the sky - but worth a shot!
The rings should be at a great angle this summer.

 

[NUTTSGT]

No I don't but it's funny you asked this. There is house in town, been for sale for a while. The original owners had an observatory built and later donated the telescope to Ohio State ( atleast that's what I was told). A buddy and I were talking about the place last night.

For the life of us, we couldn't remember what you called the place. . . observatory.

 

[Skin]

Anyone have one built into the attic of their house/garage? Or a separate structure?

This is something I've always wanted to do..Probably never will honestly, but fun to ponder.

I don't even have a telescope at the moment. Just using some 15X70 binoculars. But I'm probably going to buy the Zhumell 10" dobsonian when I can get a bit of money saved up.

I live in the country, but have 2 neighbors, both of which have really bright lights on all night.. Never understood why people do that.. What a drain on their electric bills..

Maybe one day I'd build a small structure. Maybe on concrete piers. A small foot print with a roof that's easily removable.

Anyone have a telescope, observatory, or have a dream set up?

if you dont know about this forum already, try here

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/Observatory

 

[dahur]

if you dont know about this forum already, try here

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/Observatory

Yes, and this is the one I belong too:
http://www.astronomyforum.net/

 

[Tom2]

Thanks for the link to the observatory page.. That'll keep my busy the rest of the night..

I joined astronomyforum.net - but have yet to post. Mainly just trying to research threads/peoples opinons on the 8-10" dobs.

 

[holdover]

Always wanted one, maybe some day. Plan on building at the end of my barn, elevated about 10' off the ground and using an old 10' fiberglass sat. rec dish as a movable roof section that would slide on rails onto the existing roof. For the scope I planned on getting a 10 or 12" Schmidth-Cass. by meade or something like that with a programable mount.

 

[Tom2]

I put an ad on CL saying that I was looking for a good used scope.. Got a reply from someone with a Z12. That got me excited.. Until he said he wanted $800 for it
I can get it new for about $650 shipped.

Being that buying a scope used is somewhat of a gamble, I'd probably only give 50% the new price - unless I was certain it was cared for.

 

[dahur]

I put an ad on CL saying that I was looking for a good used scope.. Got a reply from someone with a Z12. That got me excited.. Until he said he wanted $800 for it
I can get it new for about $650 shipped.

Being that buying a scope used is somewhat of a gamble, I'd probably only give 50% the new price - unless I was certain it was cared for.

He had to know that was a lot more than new. Unless he had some real nice eyepiece's with it. Or did it have a goto platform?

 

[Tom2]

No eyepieces mentioned. I believe it was just the regular Z12 - other than he said he had it set up on wheel barrow wheels to get it around easier. Also had an older Meade 10" with motor drive for $1400. He's just daydreaming I guess. Or someone really ripped him off when he bought them.

I'd love to get a used one. I try to get a good deal on anything I buy (basically to be able to get my money back out of it easily if needed). While I'm sure theres awesome deals out there, a scope is just one of those things you almost gotta buy new.

 

[Skin]

keep an eye on ebay. Astromart is another very good place to buy gear [think high class CL] but theres a small fee to join then its a matter of finding a scope available within driving distance. Re-shipping a large chinese/taiwanese dob often isnt very feasible or smart money wise simply due to their low initial cost.

And yes the guy you were talking to was off his rocker. Careful with old meade scopes, even those as new as 8-10 years, they've discontinued many of the mount parts and repairs are likewise no longer available. Essentially if you look at a used Meade SCT look at it like you're purchasing the OTA only because if the mount craps out the day after you buy it thats basically all you'd have.

 

[ManCave]

You can find all kinds of information on http://www.observatorycentral.com Bunch of friendly people who would be happy to answer questions.

 

[kbs2244]

A good place to get started is

http://obs.nineplanets.org/obs/obslist.html

Something to note is that for comfort and convenience, a lot of the modern setups have the self adjusting telescopes connected to video cameras.
This give you access to all the video technology out there.
And you don’t have to sit or lay in some contorted position to look up.

 

[Tom2]

Thanks for the links.

Theres an Orion XT8 on Craigslist about 3 hours from me (probably $30-40 in gas). Comes with a sun filter and protective cover. He'll take $150. Sounds very fair, but such a long drive on still a somewhat gamble.. I may go for it if I feel like making a long drive.

Tempting to just spend the extra $200 and get it new, or another $450 for a new Z10. Telescope shopping is tough.. You can spend an infinite amount of money and go bigger and bigger..but you gotta draw a line somwhere.

 

[99SVT]

no, but would not mind having a retractable sniper nest through the roof of my shop