Automated backyard observatory

Nice article in current [July 2005] S&T on an automated backyard observatory via off-the-shelf parts that operates from indoors.

Any takers on this forum?

Nytecam

nytecam wrote:
Nice article in current [July 2005] S&T on an automated backyard
observatory via off-the-shelf parts that operates from indoors.

Any takers on this forum?

Nytecam


--
nytecam

To me, it would take all of the fun out of the hobby to be sitting
inside in front of a computer while my scope is outside. There isn't
that connection or intimacy with the sky.

Jim Johnson

wrote:
To me, it would take all of the fun out of the hobby to be sitting
inside in front of a computer while my scope is outside. There isn't
that connection or intimacy with the sky.

Jim Johnson

Hi:

For basic observing, yeah, I agree. But if you've got a data-intensive
program going like supernova searchng, asteroid astrometry, or any
number of other pursuits, this is a good thing indeed.

Peace,
Rod

In those cases, I agree - but unless the weather was totally
unbearable, I would at least like to keep my scope company.

Jim Johnson

wrote in message
oups.com...

nytecam wrote:
Nice article in current [July 2005] S&T on an automated backyard
observatory via off-the-shelf parts that operates from indoors.

Any takers on this forum?

Nytecam


--
nytecam

To me, it would take all of the fun out of the hobby to be sitting
inside in front of a computer while my scope is outside. There isn't
that connection or intimacy with the sky.


I've been trying to work this out myself.

In the earlier days, I would haul out the CCD camera and the laptop with
autoguider and work at the table next to the scope. That would eventually
begin to suck big time when it was below about 40 degrees F outside.

I'm now trying to use a more capable mount (G11) and a modified DSLR (300D)
with a timer/controller (TC-80N3) that allows automated exposure control
without a computer. The idea is to spend the time to do a dead on polar
alignment, get focused, get on target, program the controller, click start,
and go do something else for an hour and a half, like spend that time
looking through the Dob, or reading a book to the kids. Then go get the
memory card out of the camera, and copy the images to the computer in the
den. If the results are reasonable, go break down and put things away. If
not, well then you have to make a call as to whether you want to try again,
or just put everything away.

Working with a computer at the scope out in the yard seems like a pretty
stupid idea, when you can remote it, or otherwise eliminate that step. I
don't think the intention is to completely replace getting outside a few to
several times a year with the Dob, and enjoying the night air. Imagers I
know here in New England, like me, do both.

Do you mean will anyone else try and duplicate the process and/or the actual
construction? - probably. Do you mean this is a good idea? - that depends on
your requirements for observing.

--- Dave
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pinprick holes in a colorless sky
Let inspired figures of light pass by
The Mighty Light of ten thousand suns
Challenges infinity, and is soon gone




"nytecam" wrote in message
...

Nice article in current [July 2005] S&T on an automated backyard
observatory via off-the-shelf parts that operates from indoors.

Any takers on this forum?

Nytecam


--
nytecam

On Tue, 24 May 2005 13:06:38 +0000, nytecam
wrote:


Nice article in current [July 2005] S&T on an automated backyard
observatory via off-the-shelf parts that operates from indoors.

Any takers on this forum?

What about it? There are dozens of such observatories that have been set
up over the last few years. Mine is coming up on its fourth anniversary.
This isn't exactly cutting edge anymore.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

"Chris L Peterson" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 24 May 2005 13:06:38 +0000, nytecam
wrote:


Nice article in current [July 2005] S&T on an automated backyard
observatory via off-the-shelf parts that operates from indoors.

Any takers on this forum?

What about it? There are dozens of such observatories that have been set
up over the last few years. Mine is coming up on its fourth anniversary.
This isn't exactly cutting edge anymore.

exactly right.
I am building a new house with plenty of backyard (my current backyard is very very small) and
I am planning to build a small observatory in my new backyard, definately. I have been browsing
the net and my conclusion was that many amateurs have observatories, including automated/remote
control. I would love to have a small observatory, including computers, where I can spend my
evenings studying the sky!

--
md
10" LX200GPS-SMT
ETX105
www.xs4all.nl/~martlian

On Tue, 24 May 2005 23:12:14 +0200, "md" not given to avoid spam
wrote:

I am building a new house with plenty of backyard (my current backyard is very very small) and
I am planning to build a small observatory in my new backyard, definately. I have been browsing
the net and my conclusion was that many amateurs have observatories, including automated/remote
control. I would love to have a small observatory, including computers, where I can spend my
evenings studying the sky!

What's tricky is making a robotic observatory work from a long distance,
where you can't be there if a problem occurs. Doing it in your backyard
isn't hard, though. Probably the trickiest bit is deciding just how to
implement the control system, since there are a number of options.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

"...dozens of such observatories..."

Not from what I have seen.

I have spent many hours searching on the web and I have yet to find
dozens of observatories that have been well documented so others can
learn and build on their work.

I have also asked a number of times about mobile observatories on
various discussion groups and have had minimal success with the
responses.

If anyone has GOOD links to observatories that are well documented, I
would love to see them.

Thanks

TMT