View Full Version here: : Frostland Observatory Finland
Jussi
11-07-2015, 01:51 AM
Hello!
Last summer I started to build my own roll of roof -observatory. Now Ive continued making the building more remote controllable and making it to work more reliable. We have lots of snow and very low temperatures at winter and it makes things a bit harder
Here are links to construction stories in my blog:
Part:1 Basic Structures http://frostlandobservatory.galleria.fi/blog/4/Astronomical+Observatory+constructi on+Part+1:+basic+structures/
Part:2 Roof opener & remote control system
http://frostlandobservatory.galleria.fi/blog/6/Astronomical+Observatory+Constructi on+Part+2:+Roof+opener+&+remote+control+system./
Now Ive started first chapter of Part:3
http://frostlandobservatory.galleria.fi/blog/23/Astronomical+Observatory+Constructi on+Part:+III/
More is coming up later...
Here are just couple pics of the construction
h0ughy
20-09-2015, 12:05 AM
very impressive system. i see you have an eq8?
so its coming into winter for you, how have you addressed your snow issues?
Yes, just wondering how you will insulate it?
it must be starting to get cold...:D
glend
13-10-2015, 09:19 PM
Based on my thirty years in Canada, insulation is not going to be much use when the roof is rolled off, and with it closed it will be very difficult to seal against -30C temps. It would appear from the last photo that the roof may have foam planks or insulation batts layed lengthwise but i can't see that being very effective in winter when any little opening, like the roof track one will allow cold to pour in. Snow load shedding will be an issue for roof design as well. Full remote control is a necessity, you'll die standing around out there without artic clothing. Power systems will need to be reliable and batteries are out of the question at those temperaures. Will you be heating the mount in some way or going to low temperature full synthetic grease? Mount tolerances can also be an issue and heating the mount maybe necessary. Suggest you get operating temperature specs for all your equipment, especially the EQ8, filter wheels, focuser motors, etc if your imaging. Most mounts makers that publish operating temperature ranges don't go below -20C due to bearing grease seizing, differental expansion rates of the metals etc. Finally, do not move telescopes, eye pieces, cameras, etc from warm houses to very cold observatories, the swing from +20C to -30C will cause thermal shock and potentially damage the equipment - leave it at ambient in the observatory.
Jussi I suggest you post this thread up on the Cloudy Nights Forum as well as here, as they will have many more members experienced in extreme cold astronomy and observatory operation in extreme cold.
Jussi
01-11-2015, 09:17 PM
Hi,
Last winter went quite well. Equipment worked as low as -35 Celsius. I needed to make some adjustments to roof rails, so the roof would move more easily.
Glend:The EQ8 mount haven`t needed better grease yet. I used to have Eq6 which stalled few times, when temperature was below -30C, after adding better grease it worked well.
Everything is powered all time (except camera).
I check amount of snow in the roof from cameras. And when there is too much weight I will drop them of.
All equipment are at ambient temperature all the time.
Jussi
01-11-2015, 09:22 PM
And Here is my small DIY all-sky cam project.
http://astro.galleria.fi/blog/26/DIY+All-Sky+Camera/
Its made from QHY5 L II, a cookie jar and dome from eBay.
Also my address is now: www.astro.galleria.fi
Cimitar
02-11-2015, 12:11 AM
Nice observatory. Very envious! And a cookie jar! :P
Good stuff - Love it! :thumbsup:
Cheers, Evan
Jussi
18-11-2015, 12:26 AM
Thanks Cimitar!
I got my 12" GSO RC home some while ago. It was seriously upgraded with a new mirror cell, rotator/focuser etc.
More in my site http://astro.galleria.fi/blog/
Jussi
09-02-2016, 11:30 PM
Here is my small write about obsy automation devices I bought about half year ago.
http://astro.galleria.fi/blog/
Kunama
10-02-2016, 11:30 AM
Paljonko pakkasta siell' nyt? Hieno rakennus sinulla.
I'm trying to convince my wife that February is too cold for her to visit Finland. Nice observatory.
t. Matti
Jussi
10-02-2016, 07:31 PM
Itseasiassa nyt on nollakeli. Tammikuu oli -34C, melko ääripäitä siis mennään.
For now its not cold, January we had -34C and now its close at zero.
Jussi
03-04-2016, 07:10 PM
Hello!
I captured some Time-lapse with DIY All sky camera, based on QHY 5 L II.
I made small writing about driver issues with this camera and how to manage with them.
Here is the story and video: http://astro.galleria.fi/blog/
And just the Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkisgs4CWEg
Those links don't seem right Jussi?
Jussi
04-04-2016, 02:20 AM
Thanks RobF! Now those links should work.
Nice work! :thumbsup:
Must be stunning to see in person
deanm
06-04-2016, 11:38 AM
Jussi - this may seem like a dumb question, but why so many windows - don't they just make the whole structure less rigid?
Dean
Jussi
11-04-2016, 04:32 AM
It was an land owners wish to add two windows. I would not add any.
Structures are easily rigid enough, windows won't affect. Corners are made from double 2x4" planks and on top goes 2x4"+2x6". Both windows have 2x4" frames. every major joint has 5 large nails and 2-3 long screws.
There has been very large snow cargos on roof and everything works nicely. A professional has checked those structures and given green light.
Jussi
14-04-2016, 08:34 PM
Hi again!
I made a small test with time-lapse to record an automated imaging sequence
Here is link to blog and another video: http://astro.galleria.fi/blog/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLeL0EqY6Dk
Jussi
17-04-2016, 11:51 PM
Hi,
Astronomical darkness is over. I made small write-up about GSO RC 12" image quality and how its evolved from 2013 to 2016. Also Messier 81 image on same topic.*http://astro.galleria.fi/blog/32/M81+Season+Finale/
kittenshark
18-04-2016, 02:48 AM
Hej! :hi:
I was in Finland for my student exchange last year and it was the most memorable time, especially going up to Lapland to see the Northern Lights!
I did a series of presentations on aurora chasing when I came back, and got asked a lot of questions about amateur astronomers cope with the cold weather there, and light from the aurora interfering with images. Unfortunately I didn't know enough to lead a discussion about it.
Jussi
23-04-2016, 01:48 AM
Northern Lights show up here in Kuopio very well too. Auroras ruin deep sky imaging unfortunately.
Jussi
08-12-2016, 01:42 AM
I had an interesting imaging session last night...
http://astro.galleria.fi/kuvat/GSO%20RC%2012/IMG_1846.JPG/_full.jpg
http://astro.galleria.fi/blog/
Kunama
12-12-2016, 12:27 PM
Terve Jussi,
Would you class that as passive or active cooling????
Toimiiko kaikki viellä? Toivottavasti !!
t. Matti
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