Category: ATM
Trixie 2011 – mods
As part of the work party, I put Trixie back on the mount. I got everything set up, and tried some guided exposures, and there’s definitely still flexure in the rig, even […]
ATM / Electronics / General / Maintenance / Observatory
Dome automation 1.0
So, that’s how we do that. Yesterday, I worked on getting the encoder and home switch cables hooked to the Dome Controller, which I hope you’ll recall is a Velleman K8055 board. […]
ATM / Electronics / Observatory / Technology
Dome automation-0.2-alpha – Wiring up the sensors
When we last left the dome automation project, the azimuth encoders were fried. I had a working circuit on the breadboard. I wired the cable rolled from the original, and soldered it […]
ATM / Electronics / Maintenance / Observatory
Encoders tested.
I zapped the encoders in the new assembly immediately. So I tore it apart, ordered new bits from Digikey, and breadboarded it. Once I got the interface cable worked out, I now […]
ATM / Electronics / Observatory
Observatory 2.0 – Bits and bobs
The Observatory is getting awfully close to First Light. At this point, I think the construction “to do” list (Jared doesn’t like calling it a “punch list” until he feels it’s complete) […]
Observatory 2.0 – Dome installation
Well, the day has finally arrived. After 4 years of planning, and a year of big chunks of fiberglass sitting in the shop, and weeks (and weeks) of concrete and wood, today […]
ATM / Electronics / Observatory
Observatory 2.0 – Manual dome control
I have skipped a couple of steps, here, so let me first fill you in on what’s been happening with the observatory build. When we last left, the dome had just gotten […]
ATM / Gear / Techniques / Telescope
Veronica – collimation problems
Veronica has never quite recovered from the Frankenstein act I pulled on her when I was trying to get the RCC working, and she has one remaining thorn in her side, a […]
Trixie trials
Clear nights come about once a week right now. It was suckerholes until about 9pm and then clear until about midnight. I spent some time collimating everything. First, I collimated Trixie, which […]
Observatory musings
I think that I should do Observatory 2.0 in stages. Stage 1: a concrete pier and perhaps a small deck surrounding it, with something as simple as tarp or cheapie shed over […]
RECENT UPDATE
Polar Alignment Calculations
Here’s a page that derives Polar Alignment Calculations. (update 5/2020: the original site is gone, so I found the text on Wayback and am inserting it below. This is by the original […]
Gear / Observatory / Telescope
Special Guest Star takes the mount at Hilltop O
The Astro Jedi needed somewhere to store his light sab—- I mean, bucket, and I was only too happy to accommodate him. I have decided that I need to come to a […]
General / Maintenance / Observatory
Dome shutter is motorized again!
I finally decided to bite the bullet and fix the shutter motor. Things went sideways last winter, and I’ve been opening the shutter manually (and tying it shut with rope, so we […]
Trixie 2017 – tube mods
I finally got around to cutting the MTA-UTA tubes to length; the only eyepiece that would come to focus with the focuser spacer in place is the Televue 55mm Plossl. If I […]
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Observatory
Observatory 2.0 – Time has come today!
General / Maintenance
First Light, a deeper look
Mount / Observatory / Telescope
Observatory 2.0 – Result!
Observatory
Observatory 2.0 – The Pier goes in
Gear / General / Maintenance
Martin Farmer Wormblock installation notes
Deep Sky / Long Exposure Photography
NGC2244, The Rosette Nebula
Deep Sky / Long Exposure Photography
Another beautiful night.