New observatory

xelasnave · #1 02-06-2020, 12:15 PM

This is my fourth.
But I was lucky to have Glen point out an add here in which Ralph from Tenterfield offered his 3.8 X 3.8 my roll off for sale.
Well a deal was done and it is being erected right now and hopefully complete tomorrow.
Here is a photo of the very start of erection.
Alex

h0ughy (David) · #2 02-06-2020, 12:26 PM

That's great result for you Alex

xelasnave · #3 02-06-2020, 01:06 PM

Yes David it sure beats what I had in mind building a log cabin.
I need to abandon my do it yourself attitude.
And David when I create the park you can have a rent free place to put a remote observatory if you wish with me as caretaker as after I get the city house rented I will be here full time. I have reached a deal such that others will do my shopping so soon I can get back to how it was years ago when I did this stuff all the time.
Alex

glend (Glen) · #4 02-06-2020, 01:12 PM

Great to see it going up Alex.

jahnpahwa (JP) · #5 02-06-2020, 01:28 PM

Thats going to be great! Looking forward to hearing what you think of it once up

leon · #6 02-06-2020, 02:38 PM

Ahh so you bought it Alex, good stuff mate, hope you get many years of enjoyment.

Leon

xelasnave · #7 02-06-2020, 02:38 PM

Here is a visual report on today's progress.
Alex

And good news to boot I think I have the EQ 6 jiggled enough to get it polar aligned so on the positive I have placed the 115 mm on it hopefully to get it all working later.
Alex

xelasnave · #8 03-06-2020, 01:22 PM

Should be finished around Sun set.
Alex

glend (Glen) · #9 03-06-2020, 02:19 PM

It is a good size Alex. Plenty of room for all your gear. Did you get a pier footing poured before the floor was done? I noticed the hole in the floor in the earlier shot.

JA · #10 03-06-2020, 02:26 PM

Good result ... Congrats

Best
JA

Startrek (Martin) · #11 03-06-2020, 02:51 PM

Alex
That’s a huge Obs looks great , plenty of room for 2 or 3 scopes
Enjoy your dark skies !!
Martin

xelasnave · #12 03-06-2020, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glend

It is a good size Alex. Plenty of room for all your gear. Did you get a pier footing poured before the floor was done? I noticed the hole in the floor in the earlier shot.

No pier or even a hole..and I don't plan to dig a hole even...Glen I am so damn clever I worked out that I don't need a hole..my current plan is to drive in some long star pickets maybe eight with two thirds in the ground and one third above ground...then I will drop rocks on them and let them spread under the floor when I have a big rock pile I will pour cement over them to consolidate rock and star pickets ..at the top add some form work to bring to neatly to the floor..I think I can get maybe a ton and a half mass on top of the ground with star picket fingers holding onto the planet.
I plan to name the observatory The Glen Observatory in recognition of all the help and support you have given me on my return to astrophotography.
There will be a name plate front and rear...I will become Alex of the Glen...I hope you approve...please say if you dont.
Ralp is such a decent man...he even bought some cement blocks and cement squares to provide me with stairs..but I do have plan for a ramp in time.

Alex

xelasnave · #13 03-06-2020, 04:03 PM

Still work to be done but near finished.
Alex

xelasnave · #14 03-06-2020, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Startrek

Alex
That’s a huge Obs looks great , plenty of room for 2 or 3 scopes
Enjoy your dark skies !!
Martin

One scope, a bed a kitchenette and a work station.
Alex

glend (Glen) · #15 03-06-2020, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xelasnave

No pier or even a hole..and I don't plan to dig a hole even...Glen I am so damn clever I worked out that I don't need a hole..my current plan is to drive in some long star pickets maybe eight with two thirds in the ground and one third above ground...then I will drop rocks on them and let them spread under the floor when I have a big rock pile I will pour cement over them to consolidate rock and star pickets ..at the top add some form work to bring to neatly to the floor..I think I can get maybe a ton and a half mass on top of the ground with star picket fingers holding onto the planet.
I plan to name the observatory The Glen Observatory in recognition of all the help and support you have given me on my return to astrophotography.
There will be a name plate front and rear...I will become Alex of the Glen...I hope you approve...please say if you dont.
Ralp is such a decent man...he even bought some cement blocks and cement squares to provide me with stairs..but I do have plan for a ramp in time.

Alex

Alex, you don't owe me anything, happy to help out where I can. I do agree the observatories should have a name. In original Scotish use a Glen is a secluded narrow valley, and a Dale is a depression between hills. Maybe they do work for you.
I understand your pier intentions now, thanks for explaining, it sounds substantial.

xelasnave · #16 04-06-2020, 03:23 PM

All complete... thanks to Glen for alerting me to the wonderful opportunity relatively close to home..and the vendor Ralf and his lovely wife Penny for their kindness and hospitality thrown in with the purchase and Dennis for applying his skills as an ex builder re erecting the observatory with Ralf.
I am very happy and like this idea of having others do stuff I can no longer do really. And an extra bundle of thanks to Penny for insisting Ralf put in some stairs for me..apparently with materials ear marked for his next pier.

Alex

Outcast (Carlton) · #17 04-06-2020, 04:31 PM

Looks awesome Alex... Enjoy.. I know you will...

xelasnave · #18 07-06-2020, 08:21 PM

Adding cement and rocks around the legs and rail supports two down so far and will get the star pickets on Tuesday to start the pier set up.
Alex

Outcast (Carlton) · #19 07-06-2020, 08:30 PM

When is the 50" Dob being delivered Alex?

xelasnave · #20 07-06-2020, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outcast

When is the 50" Dob being delivered Alex?

No fifty for me. But I am having trouble deciding what scope to get..this all came about because I wanted a 16 inch which I have decided against...I cantfind anything out there to give any idea how good or bad they are..I ,today at least, am back to a 10 inch with the flash carbon fiber rods ..heck carbon fiber it must be good... or the more expensive 150 Espirit...but I will just do what I want to do to this new building...cement around the legs and pier foundations as I said...and I was just thinking now it really needs it's own power set up...I have some neat flooring to go in..maybe some lining, and I need to give thought to motorising the roof...mmm yes I better think about how to do that..take my mind off astronomy for a while.
Alex