Observatory Hire

[astroboy]

I thought I would see if there are any takers in hiring the 24" scope thats housed in the 4M dome up at the observatory ( formerly known as Magellan Observatory ).
It has Servo Cat and Argo Navis for GoTo and tracking , Ethos and Nagler Eps , Filter Slider with Ha OIII and UHC filters.
The warm-up shed has basic facilities , gas stove , gas heater and 2 King Single beds linen provided .
Although I would be giving instructions on using it ( its pretty straight forward ) Users would need some experience in astronomy and telescopes.
Lake Bathurst is about 2.5 hours from Sydney and 1 hour from Canberra

$120 per night or $200 for the weekend

Thanks
Zane

[astroboy]

Thanks everyone for the kind comments , the reopening seems to have created quite a bit of interest , I will be adding some imaging gear for use in the near future heres the pics of the 12" F5 8" F4 and a Stella Vue 80mm CF Apo triplet all with the Ultra Super Premium Feather Touch Focusers ;) as well as a simple EQ mount for wide field work .
The views through the 24" scope ( Dobzilla ) still blows me away lots of galaxies show detail that was invisible in the old 18" and showpiece nebulae like Eta Carina , M17 etc look like long exposure photos .

Thanks again
Zane

[Marios]

Sounds like a pilgrimige one must take in his life time. Can you confrim is the price for total facilitie hire or Per person?

"$120 per night or $200 for the weekend"

[astroboy]

Hi Marios
Thats the total price , so no extra charge if you bring a friend .

Thanks
Zane

[big_dav_2001]

That's a great idea! I would definately be interested one weekend!

[RB]

Col I've deleted about half a donzon comments in this ad today, yours included.
It's not a discussion thread, it's an ad in Icetrades.
That's the policy of IIS and the TOS makes it clear that chatter will be deleted.

RB

[g__day]

So Zane is the house (and the ferrets) no longer available (i.e. rented out)? Would absolutely love to do that again if I could figure accommodation close by for family or friends!

[astroboy]

Hi Matthew
I now have a tenant in the house and sadly the ferrets have gone to Ferret Heaven and probably causing havoc up there.!
It would be good if there was some more accommodation nearby , I'll keep a look out.

Thanks
Zane

[astroboy]

Announcing the New Improved Lazy Boy Imaging System now with 30% more Laziness !
I've been working on an imaging system with the 8" F4 scope and the modded Fujifilm X-E1
These pics are straight out of camera JPEGs no processing other than resize and a crop on the 47 Tuc pic

8" F4 with Baader MPCC III
ISO 3200
60 second exposures
No Auto Dark
No Auto Guiding
No Flats
Will be a great way for people to get some nice results with the absolute minimum of fuss

The reason for using the JPEGs is Fujis give you a lot of parameters you can play with in camera like colour , shadow and highlight control noise reduction and film simulation.
RAWS are taken at the simultaneously time for those who want to do processing.

I would need to be on hand to assist the cost is $30 per hour , people who are experianced imagers and want to use the gear all night contact me , an auto guider is available ( QHY5LII )

[silv]

"weekend"?
meaning 2 nights in a row for $200 and 2 consecutive week nights are also possible for renting this marvelous setup?
very tempting! great idea!

[sasup]

yep im keen, my 18" is still being made so it would be great. Let me know weekends that are open?

[astroboy]

Yes I should have said any 2 nights in a row.

[astroboy]

Hi
The next new moon weekend is available ( 27th 28th of June )
I have bookings for 30th June and 1st July , 19th July thru 3rd August and 16th of August.

Thanks
Zane

[astroboy]

Heres a more recent pic of the warm up room
To answer a few questions I've had.

The skies are dark , 6.9 mag for my old eyes those with younger eyes or more imagination will do better.

There is a 3 burner gas stove for cooking.

We live on the property about 500 meters away if there were any problems

Thanks
Zane

[astroboy]

I should have pointed out that it also has cooking utensils , plates , cups glasses and esky .
All you need to bring is food and an observing list.

[astroboy]

A new addition to the observatory.
A 120mm F5 scope modded for a Televue Binovue gives great widefield views with 24.5mm Wide Field and 13mm Naglers.
Very comfortable to use and stays balanced where ever its pointed hence the counter weight.

[JJDOBBER79]

Hey Zane,
What's to do during the day in the area (other than work on observing lists :P) any fishing in lake Bathurst?????

[astroboy]

Hi Jas
Not much fishing to be done in the lake its more like a puddle these days were about 30 mins' from Goulburn or Canberra makes a good day trip ( 1 hour away ) lots to see and do there , otherwise theres some nice walks on the propery plenty of wild life etc

Thanks
Zane

[astroboy]

Just completed the new imaging scope.
Its a 10" F4 with Carbon Fibre struts FT focuser and Baader MPCCIII corrector
Very happy with it works in well with the dome and compliments the 80mm F6 CF triplet nicely
First light pic of M17 5mins

Z