TAG Automation
Focuser / Gear / Maintenance / Observatory
Spring time – Pumpkin out, Cassie in
I’ve been working over Astromart again, trying to build up a “big boy” set of eyepieces, you know, for that public outreach I never do 🙂 Anyway, so far I’ve picked up […]
ATM / Electronics / Observatory
Dome automation – We control the vertical
Well, that is satisfying in a way that’s hard to describe. After thrashing for nearly 2 years over how to install limit switches in the dome’s shutter, I finally started making progress […]
Observatory / Observing Reports / Technology
Dome automation 1.0 – Second light
Since I overexposed my shot of M13 last time (I hope that I can pull in some dim, edge detail…), I had to wait for a few days to appease the astronomy […]
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. […]
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.