Category: Observatory
Dome Automation 1.0 – First light
Once it was dark, I synched the scope on Jupiter (it was close, as I’d been fake-tracking it all afternoon), and then started working on the dome sync. I am brand new […]
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. […]
General / Maintenance / Observatory
Ready for dome controller
Armed with a good night’s sleep, I was able to figure out a way to quickly fix the home switch setup in the test circuit. Essentially, I had put a current-limiting resistor […]
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 […]
Deep Sky / Long Exposure Photography / Observatory
This is starting to get fun again.
Let me be frank. There are many, many things that need fixing around Hilltop O. Chasing the dome around has been a joy, actually, learning the ropes of this young ship, just […]
Deep Sky / General / Long Exposure Photography / Maintenance / Observatory
Bootstrapping the software rig
Hilltop Observatory got a few clear nights to play around with the new software rig. The “capture” part of the process is decently well-behaved already — I almost have plate solving working […]
Observatory 2.0 – Officially on The Grid
I don’t know what to say. Getting the electricity hooked up in the observatory was a real slog. I’d never done anything like this before (most I’d done is replace an old […]
Observatory 2.0 – beta 2 Electrical corrections
Yeah, so I flunked the first inspection. Compliments on the neatness of the work, no nail plates needed, and a Handy Correction List(tm) that explained what I needed to pass next time. […]
General / Maintenance / Observatory
Hilltop Observatory Work Party!
Getting the electricity completed in the observatory finally reached the top of the to-do list. I’d been working with a proof-of-concept system, half of the outlets done, trench through the yard, running […]
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 […]
MOST COMMENTED
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.