Wallaroo Observatory - first light Yaaaay!

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

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. 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 ...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

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 (Michael)]

Originally Posted by allan gould

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

Originally Posted by 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

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

Mike

[gregbradley]

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

Greg.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

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

Greg.

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

Mike

[GrahamL]

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

[rogerg (Roger)]

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

[Octane (Humayun)]

Congrats on the new doghouse.

H

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by nightstalker

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

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

Originally Posted by rogerg

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

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

Originally Posted by Octane

Congrats on the new doghouse.

H

Cheers Humayun, yes just like my brothers

[David Fitz-Henr]

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

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by David Fitz-Henr

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

He he I know better than I had before

Mike

[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 (Michael)]

Originally Posted by 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.

...thanks Ross, sorry to let you nomads down, I will keep thinking of you all though and never forget my roots I haven't had an observatory since dismantling the last one in July 2006

[Phil Hart]

Awesome Mike. Understandably one happy camper.

Phil

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Looks great, Mike

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by philiphart

Awesome Mike. Understandably one happy camper.

Phil

Originally Posted by Larryp

Looks great, Mike

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

Observatory life for me

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

Mike