Sands through the Hourglass - Terroux Observatory - First Light

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Nice setup! Bet your pleased with it Look forward to seeing some images from it

Erik

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by alpal

Hi Mike,
please don't try to emulate Bert's standards.
It's strange how some people spend a great deal on stainless steel counterweights e.g.

http://www.optcorp.com/astro-physics...terweight.html

and others are happy letting steel ones rust away.
I think I'll repaint mine soon as they are getting paint chips.

cheers
Allan

All but two of mine are just 2.5kg barbell plates, the ones at either end are the NJP 6.5kg OEM units, oh and they are threaded so thos e you link to are no good

Originally Posted by LewisM

I keep looking for a laser shooting out of the top of your dome much like the AO units the ESO VLT's use at Paranal

That'd be good

Originally Posted by E_ri_k

Nice setup! Bet your pleased with it Look forward to seeing some images from it

Erik

Errr..? There is an image in my post hence the title "first light"...

But yes, quite happy

Mike

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Errr..? There is an image in my post hence the title "first light"...

But yes, quite happy

Mike

Right you are Mike, think I had a bit of a moment there! nice Lagoon

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by E_ri_k

Right you are Mike, think I had a bit of a moment there! nice Lagoon

Ah no, I don't think you are alone, I can tell from the number of image hits that not everyone who reads my post clicks on the image link

Mike

[dvj (John)]

Excellent hour glass region shots. Could you not run the telescope from your house remotely via wireless connection or a log Ethernet cable? Or, through the internet via remote client software? I guess I am wondering why the need for a separate building to the observatory these days. I run my outside observatory from the home office with Team View.

Anyway, nice job on the "shed". You need a VB neon sign on the outside.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by dvj

Excellent hour glass region shots. Could you not run the telescope from your house remotely via wireless connection or a log Ethernet cable? Or, through the internet via remote client software? I guess I am wondering why the need for a separate building to the observatory these days. I run my outside observatory from the home office with Team View.

Anyway, nice job on the "shed". You need a VB neon sign on the outside.

Cheers John

The observatory is an non mains powerd site (uses big arse batteries) and isn't at my house either but rather I have built the complex on a good friends property out of town. The observatory is located about 100m from their house, so although I haven't tested it yet I'm not sure I will even be able to access their internet connection? Besides all the extras I woudl need to make this setup remote capable is way out of my budget at this stage

My wife insisted on moving us back to the city so I am just grateful that I have what I have at this stage. I wanted the seperate shed for some convenient, more roomy and warm accomodation for those long cold nights all alone It provides good storage too, with a bed and I will be warming it with a gas geater when necessary.

Mike

[dvj (John)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Cheers John

The observatory is an non mains powerd site (uses big arse batteries) and isn't at my house either but rather I have built the complex on a good friends property out of town. The observatory is located about 100m from their house, so although I haven't tested it yet I'm not sure I will even be able to access their internet connection? Besides all the extras I woudl need to make this setup remote capable is way out of my budget at this stage

My wife insisted on moving us back to the city so I am just grateful that I have what I have at this stage. I wanted the seperate shed for some convenient, more roomy and warm accomodation for those long cold nights all alone It provides good storage too, with a bed and I will be warming it with a gas geater when necessary.

Mike

Ahhh, that explains it. I thought you were living in the bush country with the scope just outside. Shame you have to move back to the city. Hmmm, telescope?, wife?, telescope?, wife?

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by dvj

Ahhh, that explains it. I thought you were living in the bush country with the scope just outside. Shame you have to move back to the city. Hmmm, telescope?, wife?, telescope?, wife?

We were...but the call of the civilised city life was too strong for Angie in the end and I am now at our neighbours in that photo (in the distance top right) so in the end it was win - win

MIke

[MrB (Simon)]

FYI, when you do have the budget for remote, 100m is easily doable with wifi

[tilbrook@rbe.ne (Justin Tilbrook)]

Great to see you back imaging Mike!

You would just about be able to setup observatories in your sleep.

Cheers,

Justin.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by MrB

FYI, when you do have the budget for remote, 100m is easily doable with wifi

OK, we'll see, cheers Simon

Originally Posted by tilbrook@rbe.ne

Great to see you back imaging Mike!

You would just about be able to setup observatories in your sleep.

Cheers,

Justin.

Cheers Justin...yeah I know

Justin

Mike

[dutch2 (Ingrid)]

Gorgeous shots, Mike. Well done.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by dutch2

Gorgeous shots, Mike. Well done.

Glad you think so Ingrid, hopefully many more to come

Mike

[Rod771 (Rod)]

What an awesome new set up you have there Mike! Looks very cool. Very nice first light too

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Rod771

What an awesome new set up you have there Mike! Looks very cool. Very nice first light too

Thanks heaps Rod, not perfect or ideal but a suitable compromise in the end

Mike

[David Fitz-Henr]

Looking good Mike - love the control / warm room too! One step back (move to city), 2 steps forward (relocation of observatory + warm room) ... nice first light lagoon too
Is that a modified Sidonio t-shirt stray light shield hanging off the back end of the scope

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by David Fitz-Henr

Looking good Mike - love the control / warm room too! One step back (move to city), 2 steps forward (relocation of observatory + warm room)

Well, I recon I have put on a couple-a kilos already, there are so many cafe's, restaurants and bars around here and all within strolling distance, in fact we have a boutique brewery, Spanish restaurant and a Pita Pit take away in our building AND I walk to work now (12min) so no parking or car use for that, more than makes up for having to drive 30min out to the Obs

... nice first light lagoon too

Cheers, yes I was happy enough with the result, all the basics are good

Is that a modified Sidonio t-shirt stray light shield hanging off the back end of the scope

Oh no that's a high tech filtering system like the Bunyip mate Yep exactly...works perfectly

Mike

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Drool.....

[Fabiomax (Fabiomassimo)]

What a beautiful place! I think the dream of many of us, waiting for your next works. Well, in reference to Laguna, it seems to be inside!
Cheers,
Fabiomax

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Fabiomax

What a beautiful place! I think the dream of many of us, waiting for your next works. Well, in reference to Laguna, it seems to be inside!
Cheers,
Fabiomax

Grazie Fabio Yes it is a lovely location

Mike