interested in a spot in my dark site obs?

[Somnium (Aidan)]

so the question is coming up soon as to whether or not i jump on the biggest investment for this hobby, building a remote obs in a very dark site.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place...4!4d149.361621

the remote power, internet and construction are not cheap ... it would be good to know if there is any interest from the community in securing a spot in a large obs that is maintained and operated locally to help fund something like this. the thought was to build a solid ROR big enough for 4 scopes, just a thought. if not, i might go down a different path

[xelasnave]

How do you see it working, how much money, sounds interesting if it was a sit at home and log on and log off with data.
Alex

[Somnium (Aidan)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

How do you see it working, how much money, sounds interesting if it was a sit at home and log on and log off with data.
Alex

so it would be a sit at home and log on/off type deal. i would publish a website with an all sky camera, cloud, light, rain and wind readings. the roof would be controlled automatically and opened on every clear night and closed automatically upon dodgy conditions. all images would be stored an a local FTP server which would upload throughout the night. all computer and telescope gear would be your own and can be set up by yourself but if you live too far away it could be done at a fee (by a pro). it would be a monthly cost, but i am not looking to rake in money, it would be less than half what other providers charge. there is someone living on the property that can be called out to deal with issues if you are too remote, anything can be done, i.e. servicing, repairs etc but it will be done at cost. insurance would be organised and people would just pay the delta if/when they add their gear on. the exact $ are TBD but i would do everything i can to keep it down. off grid power is not cheap.

i thought this would be a way to make some good seeing and dark skies accessible. so i am 50/50 on it now, i have teed up the land, obs design, internet and power system but hesitant to drop that type of coin if it is only going to be me there.

[xelasnave]

You say you have to tee up the land, Where do you want the land?
Have you something in mind?
Alex

[Atmos (Colin)]

I know that getting off of ground level (raised observatory) can have a bit of a positive effect on seeing as you're getting above some of the localised turbulence (bubbling air/atmosphere at ground level).
I have read that a couple of meters can make a significant difference but someone with more information in the matter can confirm or shoot down what I am saying

[Somnium (Aidan)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

You say you have to tee up the land, Where do you want the land?
Have you something in mind?
Alex

The link I posted in the OP shows exactly where it will be. If I wanted to go anywhere else I would have to organise something with someone different

[RickS (Rick)]

I'm potentially interested, Aidan. I already share a similar automated scope at SRO in California. Would depend on the quality of the skies and whether I can find the time to devote to setting up the gear and getting it to work reliably when unattended.

Cheers,
Rick.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by RickS

I'm potentially interested, Aidan. I already share a similar automated scope at SRO in California. Would depend on the quality of the skies and whether I can find the time to devote to setting up the gear and getting it to work reliably when unattended.

Cheers,
Rick.

........heck Rick, you will be able to do whole Earth baseline interferometry!

Good luck Aidan, hope it comes to fruition

Mike

[RickS (Rick)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

........heck Rick, you will be able to do whole Earth baseline interferometry!

I was kinda hoping to rent a pier on the Moon

[Somnium (Aidan)]

Originally Posted by RickS

I was kinda hoping to rent a pier on the Moon

yeah but a PME wouldn't work there

Originally Posted by RickS

I'm potentially interested, Aidan. I already share a similar automated scope at SRO in California. Would depend on the quality of the skies and whether I can find the time to devote to setting up the gear and getting it to work reliably when unattended.

Cheers,
Rick.

cool, i will keep you posted, i am testing the skies over the next month before i firm up on a decision and get in contact with you to see if you are interested.
if anyone else is keen, just PM me, if i have 2 people that have shown interest (not committing to anything of course) then i think i can make it work.

[OICURMT]

Originally Posted by RickS

I was kinda hoping to rent a pier on the Moon

Originally Posted by Somnium

yeah but a PME wouldn't work there

Simple ALT-AZ would work... rotation period at 27.32 days would probably allow for a significant long exposure without trailing...

[RickS (Rick)]

Originally Posted by Somnium

yeah but a PME wouldn't work there

I'll go Astro-Physics then

Originally Posted by Somnium

cool, i will keep you posted, i am testing the skies over the next month before i firm up on a decision and get in contact with you to see if you are interested.
if anyone else is keen, just PM me, if i have 2 people that have shown interest (not committing to anything of course) then i think i can make it work.

Thanks, Aidan. Will be interested to see how dark the skies are as well as get some idea of seeing.

Cheers,
Rick.

[Somnium (Aidan)]

Originally Posted by RickS

Thanks, Aidan. Will be interested to see how dark the skies are as well as get some idea of seeing.

Cheers,
Rick.

Me too

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by Somnium

The link I posted in the OP shows exactly where it will be. If I wanted to go anywhere else I would have to organise something with someone different

Thanks I was confused by your tee up mention.

Alex

[xelasnave]

If you need a place I can offer something.
Seems the highest spot for miles, no lights for 100 klms to South and its 25ks South of a one horse town. No lights to West for 100klms. And a nice light free corridor to the North a bit of land then ocean, great views of M31 etc
State forrest all around.
No polution.
Alex

[Somnium (Aidan)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

If you need a place I can offer something.
Seems the highest spot for miles, no lights for 100 klms to South and its 25ks South of a one horse town. No lights to West for 100klms. And a nice light free corridor to the North a bit of land then ocean, great views of M31 etc
State forrest all around.
No polution.
Alex

That would be awesome, I might take you up on that offer. Only it might be too remote. Difficult to come up once a month and do maintenance

[sharpiel]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

If you need a place I can offer something.
Seems the highest spot for miles, no lights for 100 klms to South and its 25ks South of a one horse town. No lights to West for 100klms. And a nice light free corridor to the North a bit of land then ocean, great views of M31 etc
State forrest all around.
No polution.
Alex

Sounds beautiful. Why ruin it with humans...

Besides, the horse mightn't like it.

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by sharpiel

Sounds beautiful. Why ruin it with humans...

Besides, the horse mightn't like it.

The horses are at another place.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by Somnium

That would be awesome, I might take you up on that offer. Only it might be too remote. Difficult to come up once a month and do maintenance

It is unfortunate I have to be in the city but if things go back to normal (I lived there for 20 years) maybe something could be done.

It takes 9 hours from Sydney non stop but I usually take it a little easy.

The place will never be sold it will be kept to preserve a little forrest etc so even my death would not mean a shut down.

Anyways when my situation changes I will let you know.
Alex

[sharpiel]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

The horses are at another place.
Alex

So more than a "one horse town" then?