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  #241  
Old 28-06-2022, 08:40 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Finally got a Vimeo account so can post moving pictures

First dome rotation

View from house deck



Mike
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  #242  
Old 28-06-2022, 09:18 AM
AdamJL
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Brilliant!
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  #243  
Old 20-07-2022, 08:52 PM
I.C.D (Ian)
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Hi Mike had any snow and have you taken any photo's yet
Ian
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  #244  
Old 21-07-2022, 09:14 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Originally Posted by I.C.D View Post
Hi Mike had any snow and have you taken any photo's yet
Ian
Hi Ian, some snow but nothing heavy ...yet Had some full ground coverage's but then much of it melts during the following couple of days, leaving some residual remains in the southerly shadows, which can last for days...

After successfully completing the dome install and installing the gear and polar aligning the mount...there has been a bit of a slow down on progress at Eagleview. Had some family events to focus on, functions and illnesses, as well as some other works and installs around the property, not to mention the cold weather, which always slows things down Also had to acquire a few things, table, stool, WiFi extender, a new computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse software, USB/data cables, software etc etc...still have to run the power and data cables out to the observatory from the control room and mount the dome control box within the dome and install the observatory control computer and all this located high up on an isolated mountain, holding down a full time job Getting it all to completion has proved challenging...but of course, I will get there aaaaand I am sure the wait will be worth it

Walking out and just seeing it, sitting there, ooozing potential, patiently waiting...still keeps me motivated

Mike
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  #245  
Old 21-07-2022, 07:59 PM
I.C.D (Ian)
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Hi Mike well it sound like work in progress and if I lived closer I would come and give you hand. Have you through of using a old laptop screen as a monitor , I converted one into a monitor a few weeks ago and works fine which I use with my raspberry pi to make adjustment to my programs instead of going through the wifi. The snow looks nice but I hope that's as deep it gets .
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  #246  
Old 22-07-2022, 09:02 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by I.C.D View Post
The snow looks nice but I hope that's as deep it gets .
Oh it does get deeper...

Mike
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  #247  
Old 22-07-2022, 10:38 AM
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Steffen
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So there are occasionally clouds above your place?
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  #248  
Old 22-07-2022, 11:59 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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So there are occasionally clouds above your place?
Sometimes we are inside them too ...like the top branch of the Magic Far away Tree

Mike
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  #249  
Old 25-07-2022, 10:00 PM
I.C.D (Ian)
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Oh it does get deeper...

Mike
Oh dear that is a lot of snow ,I hope that shed is full of firewood
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  #250  
Old 26-07-2022, 09:45 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by I.C.D View Post
Oh dear that is a lot of snow ,I hope that shed is full of firewood
We have some cut and split (by hand, cue Rocky IV music), hopefully enough to get us through the winter at our current level of visitation...? but luckily...there is plenty more, already beautifully seasoned, all around us, when ever we need it!

Mike
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  #251  
Old 29-07-2022, 10:00 AM
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Good to see you’ve got some energetic young helpers Mike.As well as a great Observatory it will be a good family getaway.I can feel the “serenity”.
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  #252  
Old 29-07-2022, 01:41 PM
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Good to see you’ve got some energetic young helpers Mike.As well as a great Observatory it will be a good family getaway.I can feel the “serenity”.
Yes, my son has now been posted to Tindal Airforce base, in the NT, so his visits to Eagleview will be limited to once or twice a year now, very sad he and I have proved a great team when it came to doing things on the property and he loves the place, his absence will be felt for sure

Although we have no lovely big metal power line towers running across our property, the serenity can indeed be measured in bucket loads. When the wind isn't blowing it is super quiet, with only the occasional Lyre bird, Magpie, Flame Robin or Kookaburra, breaking the silence...absolutely magic

Mike
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  #253  
Old 01-08-2022, 02:37 PM
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Slow going at Eagleview at the moment .... but managed to finally get the 3M Scopedome control box mounted, using a letter box mounting post and some ply. I will cover the dome motor and small floor junction box, with some sort of cage or box structure and put a rubber mat over the wires to avoid trips in the dark. I also applied silicone around the dome base ring. I have a box of desiccant hanging inside the 12 inch OTA at the moment, until I can get a dehumidifier online, not always required but will be useful for sure, and I can't remove desiccant remotely or put desiccant inside the FSQ OTA

Hopefully be able to install and mount the observatory control computer next weekend.

Off on holidays to the NT week after next, then I have some long service leave coming up end of August into Sept so I have a list of things to do then to finally get this baby LIVE

Mike
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  #254  
Old 01-08-2022, 04:24 PM
Dave882 (David)
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Looks absolutely spectacular!! Bet you’re itching to get it running and I for one can’t wait to see first light!
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  #255  
Old 02-08-2022, 04:11 AM
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astroron (Ron)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike View Post
How about these two, from yesterday, taken at 10:30am and 4:00pm, from the spot that may become available for some sort of telescope hosting down the track ...above the clouds all day

Mike
Absolutely Fabulous Mike.
Cheers
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  #256  
Old 02-08-2022, 10:01 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Looks absolutely spectacular!! Bet you’re itching to get it running and I for one can’t wait to see first light!
Yep!

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Absolutely Fabulous Mike.
Cheers
Thanks Ron

Mike
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  #257  
Old 02-08-2022, 04:54 PM
Startrek (Martin)
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Mike,
That’s a mammoth rig, looks awesome
Makes my 10” CF Newt look like a midget
You must be over the moon with the Obs
Well done !!

Q: Any reason why you didn’t run your cables under the deck in conduits to avoid mats and trip hazard etc…
I ran 2 x 50mm pvc pipes and 1 x 25mm pvc pipe on the underside of my deck from wall bay unit to central pier and turned them up with 90 degree pvc bends , saddled and glued of course. I actually replaced some cables already after 18 months , just tied the old cable to the new cable and pulled it through
I hate messy cabling ( retired electrical engineer / contractor ) fuss bum

Cheers
Martin
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  #258  
Old 02-08-2022, 06:36 PM
AdamJL
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You're famous now, Mike!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXF5Q2_Qb_U
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  #259  
Old 02-08-2022, 07:38 PM
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Really enjoyed that video.And a good job on that silicone.
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  #260  
Old 03-08-2022, 08:01 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Q: Any reason why you didn’t run your cables under the deck in conduits to avoid mats and trip hazard etc…
Cheers
Martin
Thanks for the idea Martin, hmmm..I'll have a think about that

Mike
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