A Kodak moment

[[1ponders]]

There were big smiles and plenty of bragging rights last night.

Its been 2 years in the making and while not the first time I've had everything mounted up, it was a special moment last night. Apart from getting the electrical fittings installed and a couple of small finishing off jobs (like an access ramp or stairs :P ) the observatory is basically done. And what a night to mount up. After months and months (literally) of disappointing weather, last night was brilliant. A bit cool and wet (plenty of dew, the inner walls were running by midnight), but as you can see from the photos not a cloud to be seen.

A good omen I'd say. :D

[astroron]

It looks good in the Light Paul, But it really looked good in the Dark:thumbsup:

[RB]

Excellent Paul !
Congrats on a job well done.

After seeing your's and houghy's complete, it's time to get myself into gear too I think.
:)

[[1ponders]]

You won't regret it Andrew. Roll the roof off and turn the power on.:)

It was really brought home last night as others were packing up to go home and I was packed up in a matter of minutes. :love:

[DavidTrap]

Congrats Paul,

Looks like some beautiful country around you. Let's hope this improved weather continues - we all deserve a break!!!!!

DT

[[1ponders]]

Thanks David. It is very nice here. It has a lot going for it particularly for astronomy. A low range of hills between me and the worst of the Coast and Brisbane light pollution. By 9 - 10 at night it is lovely and dark. As a bonus moon rise here can be an hour and a half and more after moonrise on the coast, which means longer imaging times :D

I'm up on a bit of a hill and when the fog comes in I can often be left sitting above the worst of it. And its quiet. Just the sounds of the dark night. :)

[Bolts_Tweed]

Real Nice Paul - tidy and functional.

Nice observatory, nice part of the world and not a Wollworths in site in your images ;)

I spent a lot of time in the seventies and eighties in tents in your part of the world - lovely spot.

Mark Bolton

[xstream]

Looks great Paul, I'm sure you'll love it. :thumbsup:

I can't quite see that concrete slab in the pics though! :P

[Kevnool]

She sure is a beauty Paul.
Very well constructed and thought out + fit out.
Cheers Kev.

[[1ponders]]

Don't worry John, I'll find a flat spot for you somewhere. :)

The fitting out, Kev? I'm still working that one out as I go. But it is fun. thanks :D

[Dennis]

Hi Paul

What a magical setting! The observatory looks just fabulous – the last shot of the x5 OTA’s in silhouette almost had me on the floor with astonishment!

A job well done mate!

Cheers

Dennis

[rogerg]

Looks great, really great :thumbsup: Must be fun using it :) Very nice setting also.

[[1ponders]]

thanks Dennis and Roger :)

I'll get you up here for a look one day Dennis. You know you have an open invitation to visit.

here's the view to the SW and the N, Roger. It is a very nice setting :D

[pmrid]

Well done Paul. It looks extremely well made and planned. I loved the pictures also but about the scope - Paul, there isn't a camera in sight.
Peter

[multiweb]

That looks sooo cool! :eyepop: You've got a top spot for astro there with great skies I bet by looking at Google satellite. Awesome. :thumbsup:

[[1ponders]]

LOL Not last night Peter. It was settle in night. Balance, polar alignment, autoguiding check on the new Gemini. This isn't the final setup, but I wanted to load up the mount to check stability.

I've got a few other setups to try, including cameras, before I pull the mount down again. I regreased it a couple of months ago and grease may have wicked up onto the clutch disk as the clutches won't tighten fully.

[kinetic]

Aint it just divine? :)
Very professional, tidy job Paul.:thumbsup:

Steve

[peter_4059]

Looks perfect Paul.

[jjjnettie]

It did end up being a beautiful night. And the obs looks just great.
Nice to catch up with you again Ron, along with Mark and Mark and Adam.
Thanks for the hospitality Paul.

[Kevnool]

Bad choice of words maybe, was talking about your equipment.
Cheers Kev.

[h0ughy]

well Paul, congratulations on dark skies, well running mounts and working equipment

[[1ponders]]

Thanks h0ughy. :) Its been a long time coming.

I took it as that Kev. I still have much to work out. I have the scope and pier in there, now I have to work out where to put shelving and desk for the observatory floor, and then there's the comfort of the warm room down below.

[h0ughy]

Well Mate, Alan is here with me, we think it is brilliant - but i am not that brilliant - LOL just done 1.8 hours of Centaurus A with the focus mask on LOL - beware the observatory ........;)

[[1ponders]]

Hmmmm yesss... i know what its like to leave the mask on. :)

[bmitchell82]

Nice setup. I can only dream about sitting in a obs, it wont be for a while untill i get to that stage.

Once again, you have done a great job, hope you get many nights of use out of it !

[astroron]

It's a great Observatory Paul:thumbsup:
I tried to take a photo of an Iridium Flair the other night and couldn't understand why it would work:question: I had left the cover on:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Jeffkop]

Those sorts of nights are what its all for Paul. It looks like its going to be very functional both for scope and operator and thats the most important bit I think. Great pictures, its been identical down here too BUT Im still waiting for the Titan to arrive. Then I have a decision to make... Roll of roof or Sirius. One is almost instant gratification but for more $$$ I suspect too .. any hints as to what the structure has run out at ?? Forget the concrete etc .. both need that

Anyway, Im envious and looking forward to the day I have pictures like this. Enjoy yourself

[[1ponders]]

Far more expensive than I'd originally planned Jeff. I've got to sit down one day and work it out :lol: a single shed on a slab would be much cheaper. There's a lot of cost in the bearers, joists and floor. Not to mention the cladding and paint. A simple single shed unlined would be fine. From memory the single 3x3 Titan shed came in at around 1500, but I'd have to check that.

[acropolite]

:rofl: having visited the Ponderosa, I'd like to see that....:P

[[1ponders]]

After trialling a 4 ft table in various positions I've gone for the mobile option. And what a grand idea. All data cable bundled together and movable with the computer, all power to the mount fixed to one spot and across to the mount (until GPOs go in) and away from rolling desk. I can literally scoot from one spot to the other and drag the desk with me.

No more having to look across the observatory to watch the screen when aligning scopes and focusing, drag the desk to me. No more shooting over the top of heat generating computers and me. Just scoot to the other side of the scope and drag the desk with me. Need a bit more room, just push the desk and stool into the corner. And then drag it back out again.

Plus its all modular (velcro :D ) so I can unplug everything and have scopes and all equipment off the mount and computer and ready to load up again in about 5-10 min. :D

Fantastic.

And why so much cable. I had planned on eventually going down to the warm room. Don't know if I will now, but there are 3 x 5 meter USB cables plus at least 5 meters of cat 5 or 6 (? ask Phil LOL) RS232 connection for the Gemini control.

Next stop power points :D

[jjjnettie]

Gee Paul, that desk looks well put together.
careful of the stair well and front opening though.
don't want to scoot over the edge

[[1ponders]]

All those cables double as a belay line if I do :D

shouldn't be to much of a prob with the stairwell once I get it covered :lol:. I will have to watch the door though.

[RobF]

Thanks for all the "new" pics Paul. I missed these back in May. Sure is a beautiful part of the world, and it looks like you've done a very professional job with the fitting out. I'm sure you'll be enjoying the fruits of your labours for many years to come.. :)

[AlexN]

Outstanding stuff mate! All that hard work is ready to start paying dividends! :D

Love that pier! Beefy!