Serious Quote and Recommendations Wanted

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #1 10-10-2005, 01:38 PM

Do you remember me mentioning the lady who is the editor of the local newsletter and is also a local politician? Well, I have just had a visit from a fellow observer in Snake Valley and he informed me that she becomes the Mayor of our Shire next month.

To cut a long story short, as she is a keen astronomer she wants to build an observatory here in Snake Valley and will finally be able to do so, but we need a quote on setting it up. (we are also forming a local Astronomy group)

The quote is for the observing equipment only. The land will be donated by council, and the Dome & adjoining building will be built by locals.
The quote I need is for a complete set-up. From the scope through to storage of digital images:
Computerised GoTo Scope, Mount, imaging equipment (Toucam maybe), computer and everything that goes in between. In other words, Point the scope and store pics.

Your recommendations on which equipment to use is also greatfully appreciated (SCT, Newt, etc) As we have lovely dark skies we would like to take advantage of it so preferably something around the C11 or larger would be good.

Astronomy Dealers may respond too.

Thanking you.

iceman (Mike) · #2 10-10-2005, 01:43 PM

I'd recommend:

- C14 or Meade 14" LX200 on a big strong pier (obviously) and whatever EQ head that supports those scopes (Losmandy G11?)
- Fast computer with lots of disk (striker will be able to help here)
- If you want the best lunar/planetary camera, you're looking at around $2k. If you want something cheap, then there's the ToUcam ($145).
- If you want the best DSO camera, then get the Sbig 11k (over $15k i think). If you want something cheaper, get a DSLR ($1500) or even cheaper, a DSI Pro ($800).

Don't forget, it's not just the equipment, but it's the skills and knowledge to drive them, and process them. That'll be quite a learning curve for your astro-headed locals I imagine.

Sounds great though Ken, will it be finished in time for the Star Camp?

iceman (Mike) · #3 10-10-2005, 01:44 PM

Oh also, is astrophotography the primary purpose for this observatory?

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #4 10-10-2005, 01:48 PM

Thanks Mike. Both Visual and Astrophotography. The parties involved are into both.

If the total goes way beyond the budget, then visual only! We can set-up for photography at a later date. I was just asked to get quotes to set-up for either.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #5 10-10-2005, 02:12 PM

Ken would you pm me your email address. I've just done up a list of costs for the Mapleton Observatory of "should have" items for getting an existing C-11 on Losmandy mount up and running for astrophotography. It would probably apply to most scope/mount combos. The aim was for cheap as but still quality.

I'll attach the word document to an email for you.

#6 10-10-2005, 03:15 PM

If you go for Meade Ken they throw in the LPI for free cant beat thaty for cheap and it is as good as if not better than ToUcam

, Plus you'll get autostar to control the scope if it is a Meade. Just another thing to consider.

regards,CS

Starkler (Geoff) · #7 10-10-2005, 03:56 PM

I think theres a job in this ...... Ken, curator of the Snake Valley observatory

Ken , gentleman professional astronomer

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #8 10-10-2005, 05:38 PM

Paul, email done.

Rob, Sounds like a good deal.

Geoff, I've got enough to do, and what's the 'gentleman' bit!

davidpretorius · #9 10-10-2005, 05:59 PM

ken, congrats.

i have a picture in my mind of the cat that has just got the cream!!!!

let me on the tools side of things (hammers, wrecking bars, nail guns) safety gear (helmets, vests, gloves) abrasives (cut off wheels, diamond blades) and compressors and generators, i can organise this side of things at cost plus freight!

as long as i can come and enjoy a quiet couple of night viewing when finished, some coloured pencils, paper, drawn pictures of saturn, IIS forum with mike lined up at the other end flogging us into the naughty corner and a belly full of laughs!

netwolf · #10 10-10-2005, 07:45 PM

I recall seeing some serious observatory grade gear on Advanced Telscope Supplies website. I would go for the Paramount ME mount, Brad Moore has one http://www.southern-astro.com/new-telescope.php. Now what to put on it.. How about a Ritchie Chrétien http://www.atscope.com.au/rcos.html...

I get the picture of Ken standing there like he just got his hand stuck in the lolly jar...

Lucky guy.. some people have all the luck..

rowena · #11 11-10-2005, 08:39 PM

with the camera part... these are normally privately owned. one can go to the sydney observatory with their camera and takes pics of the moon (when they organise nights to do so). the only part the observatory provides is the scopes and a nikon/canon/pentax.. etc t-mount to go onto the scope so that the camera can be mounted.

the computer... make sure it has a cd burner, so people can burn their images that they have taken!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #12 11-10-2005, 08:42 PM

Thanks Rowena. Good thinking.

The pooter will have a burner.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #13 12-10-2005, 03:54 PM

I have read the posts above and been googling around Australia.

Who has good deals on the Celestron C11 - C14 range and the Meade LX200 range? I haven't been able to find any sites with prices.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #14 12-10-2005, 04:40 PM

C'mon people. There are quite a few owners of Meade and Celestrons in here!!

Where did you get them from?

33South (Chris) · #15 12-10-2005, 04:45 PM

Bintel in Sydney quote prices for most Meade items.

eg Meade LX200GPS 14" f/10 SCT $9,995.00

https://www.bintelshop.com.au/welcome.htm

#16 12-10-2005, 04:46 PM

Try Staroptic's up on the Gold Coast they stock Meade, their website has prices on some of them.

http://www.staroptics.com.au/

I think Bintel sell Meade too, not sure about Celestron

regards,CS

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #17 12-10-2005, 04:46 PM

i bought my Celestron from Astronomy Online but that was not the high end scope you are looking for,

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #18 12-10-2005, 04:48 PM

Thanks Guys, I'll go check them now.

#19 12-10-2005, 04:50 PM

If your permenently mouting the scope in an observatory, do you really need the GPS feature? you'll only need to use it once. Maybe you could save some bucks there.

regards,CS

33South (Chris) · #20 12-10-2005, 04:53 PM

for a C14 - $14,450.00

http://www.astronomyonline.com.au/ca....html?cache=no

or York optical at $15,500.00

http://www.yorkoptical.com.au/