Ultimate Private Observatory

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Hi all

This is a must watch! I have searched to see if this has been posted previously, if so apologies. But its brilliant.

http://www.ultimateprivateobservatory.com/

Cheers Petra d.

[Dennis]

Thanks Petra – did you check out the Takahashi TOA 150 piggybacked on the Meade 16"?

A very, very nice set up, although part of the fun (torture?) for me is the noble challenge as I drag all the gear out, cursing and swearing, as I set up anew each evening.

Cheers

Dennis

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Hi Dennis

Yes, the equipment is sweeeeet. I wonder if I can scale it down to fit in my back garden

Cheers Petra d.

[TrevorW]

Already posted under "One to make you Drool"

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=46132

Thanks

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Thanks Trevor

It is so easy to miss a post, and I searched it too!

Cheers Petra d.

[astroron (Ron)]

It all depends on the post heading, if the post has the original heading from the original website then there is most times no confusion.
It's only when we put our own interpretation on the heading that courses the post to be missed on a subsequent search.
I know it has happened to me on a number of occasions.

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Thanks Ron

Cheers Petra d.

[leon]

Have seen this one Petra, but it was nice to look at it again, but I reckon I could have spent all those dollars on lots of other goodies.

Leon

[okiscopey (Mike)]

Huh, that's nothing!

Rocky Peak beats that hands down!

I designed mine 200% and I didn't hire anyone to put up my stainless steel and kryptonite observatory, which puts the one in this link to shame. Tornado proof? Mine can withstand a direct hit by a 500-metre asteroid or a stray 5-kT North Korean nuclear device.

You should see my mechanical systems, electronic systems, hydraulic systems, internet systems and coffee-making SYSTEMS.

RPO has a 24 point TWO sound system and special composting toilet SYSTEM. The equipment would put any professional observatory to shame, with a Natural Geographical 70mm refractor SYSTEM and 4.5-inch optimised, diffraction-limited reflector SYSTEM with home-made 0.1 arc-second adaptive optics SYSTEM made out of discarded industrial hydraulic SYSTEMS.

Just turn on the key switch, climb up into the surround-sound observing area, and be prepared to be amazed. The neighbours don't at all mind the roof rolling off across their properties, the only solution to a 30m x 60m observing area. If it's cloudy, an automatic planetarium dome SYSTEM slides in from its hidden storage area to re-create the night sky as it would have been that night (or even day!) with extreme resolution courtesy of the latest digital sky surveys with automatic updates via the T4 Internet link.

In case you find all this rather incredulous, the DVD available from RPOwhynot.net.au for $15.00 post paid. If you haven't got any idea of the roof mechanism from my description, this 6-hour video shows it rolling on and of, on and off, on and off ...

OK, is this sour grapes? Probably!

[lacad01 (Adam)]

I admire the guy's ingenuity and skills but a tad overkill

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Sure it's nice but there's way to much stuff to have to maintain.
If the hydraulics break down on the roll off roof, there's no observing till it's fixed.
I'm a great believer in keeping it simple.

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Sure it's nice but there's way to much stuff to have to maintain.
If the hydraulics break down on the roll off roof, there's no observing till it's fixed.
I'm a great believer in keeping it simple.

I agree. Very nice, and coming from a confessed 'over killer' myself, this guy has waaaay too much time and money on his hands. But whatever floats his boat, as long as he is happy and content.

Jeanette, there is something to be said for relying on less technology. This would be like putting automatic door openers on every door in my house. I remember using one of the telescopes at the Old Melbourne Observatory decades ago and it had a big metal wheel to turn, which rotated the dome. That would be enough for me.

A hydraulic chair???? what's that all about??

Thanks for posting anyway Petra.

[hikerbob (Bob)]

Mike "Rocky Peak beats that hands down!" I'm somewhat suprised that you did not mention either the hot tub or the tracking system for it when describing your observatory. Being able to keep the hot tub positioned just right so you can soak and observe at the same time is very impressive. Likewise the air flow systems to keep steam from the hot tub away from the optics is well worth a mention.

"is this sour grapes" - are you having some technical problems with the vineyard management systems? Having a vineyard on the roll off roof does complicate things.

Bob

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Originally Posted by hikerbob

Mike "Rocky Peak beats that hands down!" I'm somewhat suprised that you did not mention either the hot tub or the tracking system for it when describing your observatory. Being able to keep the hot tub positioned just right so you can soak and observe at the same time is very impressive. Likewise the air flow systems to keep steam from the hot tub away from the optics is well worth a mention.

"is this sour grapes" - are you having some technical problems with the vineyard management systems? Having a vineyard on the roll off roof does complicate things.

Bob

I'd imagine the hydraulic systems on the hot tub would have to run extra smooth so you do not spill your Grange Hermitage?

[okiscopey (Mike)]

Bob and Stephen ... thanks for pointing out the missing luxuries at RPO. Will hasten to add same ASAP!

[Roger Davis]

Gee Whiz Petra,
Just buy a good iPod and a set of headphones. A 7.1 surround sound system is not required. Or if you want you could design a set of headphones that automatically clamps around your ears when you put your head to the eyepiece and then plays your favourite music. It'd be a lot easier than hydraulics!!

[Quark (Trevor)]

Strewth it makes my washing machine motor driven dome seem just sooo inadequate.

Cheers
Trevor

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Over engineered?

Check out the devices used in mine:

*Micro-electro-chemical activated

*Photon recognition 'go-to'

*Biodynamic mechanisiation -NO CARBON FOOTPRINT! except when running on baked beans .

Also called 'push-pull', .

I like the determination -Tornado proof!? It's really asking for it, eh?

Nice to see what can be done.

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by Roger Davis

Gee Whiz Petra,
Just buy a good iPod and a set of headphones. A 7.1 surround sound system is not required. Or if you want you could design a set of headphones that automatically clamps around your ears when you put your head to the eyepiece and then plays your favourite music. It'd be a lot easier than hydraulics!!

Actually I disagree, I used to have good sound in my observatory - 4 speaker, and it was at a location where I could have the volume at a comfortable level without worrying about neighbours. It was great. Where it is now, and with the broken speakers I now have, I can't do that anymore, and miss it

Originally Posted by Quark

Strewth it makes my washing machine motor driven dome seem just sooo inadequate.

Cheers
Trevor

At least yours has a motor I just build up muscle in my left arm from pulling the roof across.

Originally Posted by spacezebra

Hi all

This is a must watch! I have searched to see if this has been posted previously, if so apologies. But its brilliant.

http://www.ultimateprivateobservatory.com/

Cheers Petra d.

Thanks for the link. There's some days I wish I had a fancy setup like this and some days I am very happy with what I have but just very disappointed with how little time, engergy and hence enthusiasm I have to use what I have. Today is one of the latter, so this guy can keep his hydrolics for now