Wallaroo Observatory - first light Yaaaay!

[strongmanmike]

Ok nothing to write home about and no 140hr marathon here, but as a test result, I'm happy.

Before the clouds became a pain in the R's I grabbed 4 X 5min subs in Ha on NGC 6164 (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/150672053/original). Of course, with such low data levels means very little processing was possible but it does hint at future possibilities.

The benefits of having an observatory were very clear, particularly at packup = close roller shutter, load data onto memory stick, shut down computer, cover scope, unplug power board, shut observatory door and roll up extension lead - finished, 10min :D...setup is about the same too

Only slight issue will be, as others warned, I will need to be vigilant on watching that dome opening, with the scope in its current configuration there ain't a big window there...at the moment the Euphoria of having an observatory again is overlooking this aspect :lol:

So in the end it took just under 6 weeks from turning the first sod of Wallaroo Observatory to taking the first image from it, that's not too bad huh?

Look forward to my first full clear night now :)

Mike

[allan gould]

You need to automate the dome especially with the narrow slit and a 12" scope.
Allan

[alpal]

The new observatory looks great Mike.
Can you automatically synchronize the dome opening with where the scope is pointed using a little electric motor?
I am not sure how to do that especially if you later want a
full remote robotic observatory.

I am jealous - I want an observatory too. :)

cheers
Allan

[strongmanmike]

Of course, but it all costs money (and time) sooo I will just have to rough it for a while. Hey, I'm out of the wind and have near zero setup and packup time now, so turning a dome regularly is a relatively small price to pay I recon :)...maybe wining about the dome rotation will replace my wining about the wind :question: :lol:

Mike

[gregbradley]

Surprisingly good Mike. Having your own observatory increases production a lot. Was this with the FLI or the new camera?

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

The FLI.

I thought I'd nail down any working-in-a-dome issues first then start to work on reconfiguring to start with the SX gear :thumbsup:

Mike

[GrahamL]

Looks great mike,,, all that shovel work has sure slimmed you down a bit to ! ;)

[rogerg]

Nice pic of a nebula but I think i prefer the pic of the obs :thumbsup: love those new equipment shots :) Congrats on such excellent progress! Enjoy the coming years slowly and iteratively improving your facility :)

[Octane]

Congrats on the new doghouse. :)

H

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Graham, yes my son has inherited his mothers body shape genes...but my brains :nerd: :question:



Yeh me to Roger, there is always someone with something better to look at :P



Cheers Humayun, yes just like my brothers (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/143874861/original) :P

[David Fitz-Henr]

Looks good Mike; the cows will have a tough time knocking that lot over!

[strongmanmike]

He he I know better than I had before (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/146652716/original)

Mike :thumbsup:

[Ross G]

Good luck with the new observatory Mike.

You've crossed to the other side so we "nomads" have lost our pinup boy!

Great shot and good luck.

Ross.

[strongmanmike]

:lol:...thanks Ross, sorry to let you nomads down, I will keep thinking of you all though and never forget my roots :thumbsup: I haven't had an observatory since dismantling the last one (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/observatorygeneral) in July 2006 :sadeyes:

[Phil Hart]

Awesome Mike. Understandably one happy camper. :)

Phil

[Larryp]

Looks great, Mike :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Cheers guys

Phil, I opened up tonight after last imaging a week ago and the focus was perfect, no adjustment needed, did a goto the same target and after a couple of short exposures and slews I was on frame within a couple of pixels, easy...who needs plate solving :lol:

Observatory life for me :thumbsup:

I do have to be very careful moving around inside the dome in the dark though, not much between my shoulders and the counterweights :scared: :lol:

Mike