Yes, had thought about dome rotation/automation but it is so expensive ...I had a Sirius 2.3m previously with the Meade 12" LX200GPS under it so I am quite familiar with the requirements of moving this size dome slit with a 12" and it wasn't tooo bad but I will need to move the guide scope to the top of the tube cradle rather than the side of the mount as I have it currently.
We will see, if I get the shights I may add dome automation later
Mike
Last edited by strongmanmike; 01-05-2013 at 09:19 PM.
The pier footing is now ready for concrete..hopefully this week before SPSP..? It's just over 0.6m cubed which is over 1/2 a ton of concrete so should hold steady, 25mm gal threaded rod sunk in the concrete to take the metal pier, seen HERE, at the former Mt Campbell Observatory
Remember to put in conduits Mike!!!!
I say this to everyone who puts up pics of an impending pour.
Conduits...lots of conduits...pier to wall, wall to other wall....
electrical, data....stick lots in...even if you don't ever use them....
Conduits....remember to put in bloody conduits....!
Steve
So are you saying put in conduits..?
Yes, I would under other circumstances but since we are just renting this property I was kind of just going to make it a fairly simple setup, so no trenching etc ie it won't be connected to power or data etc essentially it will be a nice housing for the scope and I will run any cables out each session.
If it were on my own property then I would do it differently ie I would have built an elevated deck and gone the whole hog....
Clear here tonight (will drop to -2C tonight) so I just Polar Aligned the bolt pattern that will hold the metal pier While standing on the North side of the bolt pattern template and using binoculars I sighted the SCP (I know exactly where it is to within a few arc min ) then carefully panned down and had my son drive a star picket into the ground at that (true south) point some 40m from the footing. Now when I sink the bolt pattern into the wet concrete during the day, I can just point the arrow that I have drawn on the template board representing the polar axis of the NJP, at the Star picket - easy!
Got back from SPSP and removed the form-work from the footing and tested out the pier....500kg of concrete below ground, 140kg of Russian gymnast above ground - seemed pretty sturdy
Got back from SPSP and removed the form-work from the footing and tested out the pier....500kg of concrete below ground, 140kg of Russian gymnast above ground - seemed pretty sturdy
Mike
Hey Mike , Tania says that it looks like a statue of JC personally i am just glad you didnt wear a kilt in the shot
the second thing she said was is it a statue to ward of evil spirits
Got back from SPSP and removed the form-work from the footing and tested out the pier....500kg of concrete below ground, 140kg of Russian gymnast above ground - seemed pretty sturdy
Mike
Lol Mike! To build an observatory is one thing - but doing it with such effortless grace as you display here is something we mere mortals can only dream of
well said Rolf, he makes it look so easy, that includes the gymnastics!
being a rental property, how did it go with the landlord and what would you do with the 500kg of concrete if and when you leave?
cheers
Alistair
...I had a Sirius 2.3m 
) then carefully panned down and had my son drive a star picket into the ground at that (true south) point some 40m from the footing. Now when I sink the bolt pattern into the wet concrete during the day, I can just point the arrow that I have drawn on the template board representing the polar axis of the NJP, at the Star picket - easy! 
personally i am just glad you didnt wear a kilt in the shot
