This is the observatory in its closed state.
The railway style concrete sleepers in front of the doors provide a mud-free area.
The roof is covered with EPDM rubber roofing material.
Notice the two removable roof sections.
The railway style concrete sleepers in front of the doors provide a mud-free area.
The roof is covered with EPDM rubber roofing material.
Notice the two removable roof sections.
The doors open and the two roof sections removed.
The 12 volt supply is fed from the small grey box you can see just behind the pier (supplied by the heavy duty battery in the warm area - with inline fuse of course).
Leads are trailed underneath the black mat to the pier which keeps them completely out of the way.
The 12 volt supply is fed from the small grey box you can see just behind the pier (supplied by the heavy duty battery in the warm area - with inline fuse of course).
Leads are trailed underneath the black mat to the pier which keeps them completely out of the way.
The central bar is removed.
Notice the inexpensive battery operated alarm sensor in the top right. This has a range of 100m and activates a battery operated receiver in the house. At a cost of £26 this at least provides some security - especially overnight. I am not too popular if I forget to turn off the receiver before opening the observatory!
Notice the inexpensive battery operated alarm sensor in the top right. This has a range of 100m and activates a battery operated receiver in the house. At a cost of £26 this at least provides some security - especially overnight. I am not too popular if I forget to turn off the receiver before opening the observatory!
I normally rest the two roof sections on the side of the
observatory. Handles provide an easy way of lifting them. They are
insulated so that the sun's heat on the black roof does not cook the
interior when it is closed.
The warm area with red cluster LED lamps that may be conveniently
directed onto the desk.
You can just see the double glazed viewing window on the right that allows the
operator to view the telescope outside. A large capacity 'leisure'
battery provides a stable 12 volt supply. Eight mains electricity
sockets are under the desk.
Here's the back view of the observatory with the roof removed.
And Finally The kit...
AC282 pier for EQ6 mount
Skywatcher 190 MN Pro
Lakeside focuser
Kendrick dew Heaters with ambient and telescope temperature sensor
60mm refractor guide scope (its a vintage Dixon's Prinz-scope I had when I was a teenager, so its just a few years old) - now replaced with a SkyWatcher Star Travel 102mm achromatic refractor (500mm focal length at F4.9), see below.
Starlight Xpress Lodestar guide CCD camera
Canon 450D DSLR
Home made dew shields (actually sponge matting used by campers to insulate under their sleeping bags)
All of the above (except the Canon) was sourced from Green Witch of Cambridge where Lee & Neil were particularly helpful.
AC282 pier for EQ6 mount
Skywatcher 190 MN Pro
Lakeside focuser
Kendrick dew Heaters with ambient and telescope temperature sensor
60mm refractor guide scope (its a vintage Dixon's Prinz-scope I had when I was a teenager, so its just a few years old) - now replaced with a SkyWatcher Star Travel 102mm achromatic refractor (500mm focal length at F4.9), see below.
Starlight Xpress Lodestar guide CCD camera
Canon 450D DSLR
Home made dew shields (actually sponge matting used by campers to insulate under their sleeping bags)
All of the above (except the Canon) was sourced from Green Witch of Cambridge where Lee & Neil were particularly helpful.
With the Star Travel 102 as guide scope...
