New observatory project

[shahgazer (Shah)]

Hi All,

I'm planning to build a roof-top observatory on my 2 storey terrace house. Design-wise will be the roll-off style. Overall design for the building is not a problem, as there are many-many examples on the net.

I just need to understand regarding the mount for my scope. Currently I'm using NEQ6 Pro.

1. It is a must that I have to use a pier for the mount?
2. Why can't I just maintain the 3-leg mount leg that comes with it?
3. If Pier is a must, do I really need to bolt it on a slab-style base?
4. Or will this design be sufficient? http://www.altairastro.com/product.p...cat=273&page=1

[shahgazer (Shah)]

Opss.. I've posted this topic under the wrong category. It should be under "DIY Observatories"

Sorry. Hope the mods can help move it over there.

[okiscopey (Mike)]

Hi Shah, good to hear from you again and that you're starting on an observatory ... definitely the way to go!

I'll leave it to the experts around here to answer your questions ...I hope they notice it's a ROOF-TOP observatory. Seems to me such an arrangement will greatly complicate the business of making your NEQ6 stable.

Are you doing visual or imaging work, and at what focal length? I think these are important things to be considered.

[shahgazer (Shah)]

Hi Mike!

Nice to hear from you too!

My housing area is very limited, and I don't have big lawn to build a good ground-based observatory. The Roof-Top is the only way to go, sadly..

Just jumped into CCD imaging recently. Bought myself the QHY9 mono for the main imager and QHY5 for guiding.

The main scope will be the Skywatcher Equinox 120ED, F=900mm, f/7.5 . The guidescope will the its little brother, the SW Equinox 80ED, F=500mm.

Mounted on the NEQ6 piggyback-style.

The plan is to have the whole setup on the roof-top, with a desktop sitting nearby the mount for all the CCDs, Mount etc software connections.

I will then remotely control the desktop PC using VNC or similar from a laptop in another room, downstairs. Thus avoiding any movement/vibration during the imaging session.

I have a friend with almost similar setup (roof-top style) and stability is spot on. But then, he's using the Tak NJP Temma II mount! His setup can be seen here.