When is an observatory not an observatory?

[cybereye]

While waiting for the clouds to part, I've been tarting up some of my images by putting a grey border around them. On the lower border I'd included details of the images, mentioning that they were taken from "Basalt Ridge Observatory" in reference to the basalt ridge I live on.

When I showed it to my wife she said that my three markers in the grass did not constitute an "observatory" and therefore it was wrong to write what I had.

So this got me thinking - is an observatory purely a building or is it also a constant location that you view from? :question:

Cheers,
Mario

[multiweb]

The Basalt Ridge Observatory sounds like the Hinchinbrook Observatory (3 countersunk bricks in the grass). Let's call them 'mobile observatories'. :P

[Jeffkop]

Do you observe from this place Mario ????
IF YES .. then it is an observatory.
IF NO ... then it isnt.

Observatories are made from many things too !!!

[jjjnettie]

;) I'm taking my pavers with me when I move.

[mental4astro]

Remind the missus of Stonehendge. Its plinths seem random, but they are very deliberate and precisly located mathematical and navigational devices.

Those three markers where painstakenly located and aligned. Their accuracy to locating and measuring angles and objects in unsurpassed by any device available to amature astronomers. With your mathematical genius, you can use these "simple" three markers to calculate astronomical movements of the Moon, Planets, Sun and Stars for the next 100 years (longer if you wanted to live that long, but let the next genration work it out for themselves!).

If she believes this rant, then quickly hit her with your intention of purchasing a 16" SCT and a fully automated obs in the backyard. ;) If you don't do it now, you never will.

[ZeroID]

Like this concept, makes sense to me. My plans will progress on this idea. Just need to chainsaw one tree out of the way.

[AstralTraveller]

Make sure you keep the orientation right as you move them!! :lol:

[TrevorW]

My patio is my observatory

[cybereye]

If I shorten mobile observatories to "mob", my viewing area becomes the Basalt Ridge Mob. Sounds more like a spaghetti western!!



Thanks for the advice... my wife is now worried that I'll be raising big stones in the yard, lighting fires and dancing naked around them to the intoxicating beat of drums!!! However, I believe this is now the best time to hit her with the 16" SCT purchase... :lol:

Cheers,
Mario