If you are a Facebook user please go take a look. Our page is open to the public. I am not sure if you have to have an account to view the page.
It's more that some of us don't want to click on anything to do with FB, especially given how invasively they track people and the history of how shady they are.
Not wanting to get off into a tangent here.. but if you have another way of sharing video (for free, like YT!), that'd be good, and good for potential customers who don't want to click FB links
It's more that some of us don't want to click on anything to do with FB, especially given how invasively they track people and the history of how shady they are.
Not wanting to get off into a tangent here.. but if you have another way of sharing video (for free, like YT!), that'd be good, and good for potential customers who don't want to click FB links
(plus, FB is dying anyway)
FB is what it is, but I hear you regarding people not wanting to use it. So with that in mind I have uploaded the recent videos to Vimeo.
It's more that some of us don't want to click on anything to do with FB, especially given how invasively they track people and the history of how shady they are.
Not wanting to get off into a tangent here.. but if you have another way of sharing video (for free, like YT!), that'd be good, and good for potential customers who don't want to click FB links
(plus, FB is dying anyway)
Absolutely, I agree, I will have nothing to do with FB. I hope your not relying on FB as a business tool.
thanks for posting that. Very interesting videos. Can the roof be closed manually as well? I always wonder about that... what happens if it jams and rain comes through?
thanks for posting that. Very interesting videos. Can the roof be closed manually as well? I always wonder about that... what happens if it jams and rain comes through?
Hi Adam, at present no the roof cannot be moved manually easily, although it is a matter of unbolting the gearbox from the mounting board which is easy enough to do. The roof should not jam at all, it is on a gate track and wheels and that means it will generally slide over any obstructions. In the 30 or so times I have opened and closed the roof manually and the 10 or so times I have opened and closed the roof with the motor it has not looked like it would jam. I was fairly deliberate with the design to prevent jamming. Even the hold downs have a bit of clearance to allow some up and down but not enough to allow derail.
The observatory is protected by the software monitoring the cloud and rain sensor and if cloud comes in; the roof closes immediately. There is no delay. Cloud will predicate rain falling out there as rain is reasonably rare at the site. Only 180-200mm or so a year. In addition to this, the hardware via the firmware is programmed to shut if it looses contact with the computer or the AAG Cloudwatcher.
The slab in the big shed has been finished with a helicopter finisher to provide a very smooth surface. Over the last few days I have applied two coats of sealant to the concrete slab. This will aid in cleaning the floor in the years to come. It will also prevent concrete dust from entering the optics of our clients equipment. The sealant when fully dry will not show the overlap marks seen in the attached photo. When I walked in this morning to apply the second coat I could not see any overlaps from the previous coat.
Later this week I will install the first test system into the shed and we can commence bug testing. I will do a few weeks bug testing to ensure the system works correctly in all manner of circumstances.
As I have said before if you are interested in reserving a spot for yourself in the shed please PM or email me for our terms and conditions.
Bug testing has commenced with the installation of one system and another one is part way through installation.
The attached image shows a 200mm imaging system and one of my Newtonians in part way commissioned.
There is some cable management of the 200mm system to be done but we awaiting on a 3m USB3B cable to arrive. Once that is done the computer and power supply can be installed in a weather and light proof box.
The AG12 will have an ASI ZWO6200 with 7 position filter wheel and Atlas focuser with Primaluce Lab Eagle computer.
We are currently conducting trials of the automated opening and close of the roof. All is going well so far and we anticipate that very shortly we will be open for business.
Essentially, the big roof opens at dusk and closes at dawn via command from the weather sensor that it is unsafe for the roof to be open during daylight hours. The roof will also close upon weather abort data. Once the weather abort conditions have passed (sometimes hours, sometimes minutes) the roof will reopen again. Clients will be able to access the weather data and script their equipment to respond to that data. This will ensure that they can image after a weather abort and be assured that the roof will be open when the data says it is clear.
So stay tuned for our announcement that we are open for business.
As you will be having multiple clients under the same roof, so to speak, how do you deal with one person wanting the roof to close in response to a weather event, while someone else not? Or do you control when the roof opens and closes, and clients script their equipment based on that?
As you will be having multiple clients under the same roof, so to speak, how do you deal with one person wanting the roof to close in response to a weather event, while someone else not? Or do you control when the roof opens and closes, and clients script their equipment based on that?
Josh
Our system will be in control of the roof and no one else will have access to it other than the admins for the site. The roof closes immediately upon a weather abort notification and then once the abort is cleared, there is a three minute period until the safe command is given. When the safe command is given the roof will open again. Clients will also be using the same link file from cloud sensor and so can automate their imaging to recommence imaging once the safe command is given. The roof will take a minute to open, so systems should roughly coincide with the roof being fully open. Since everyone is working off the same file and safe time period, imaging should have little disruption. We may change the safe time to a shorter period but this period is reasonably short and allows for any contingencies where conditions might change and require that the roof remain closed.
I can now announce that our final field testing is complete. The roof is now totally robotic and automated and we have had no issues with its operation.
This means that we are ready to receiving clients, so please feel free to contact me about having your equipment hosted at our facility.
Attached is an image of how clients equipment will be setup including protective boxes, pier and cable management.