SAC observing grounds

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Frank Ryan
Posts: 2980
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:45 am
Location: Ballycasey, Co. Clare

SAC observing grounds

Post by Frank Ryan » Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:31 am

Dave and I were chatting today about the, ....well,
'non viability' of a club observatory.
The drawbacks out weighed the benifits as far as we could tell.
We did however think an 'observing grounds' with concrete area
and telescope pillars was a good idea.
Something along these lines:

Image

The benifits are huge.
A solid ground.
Piers pre set so all you need bring is your OTA.
(no lugging tripods)
Groundings could be set in the concrete around a pier for
removable wind breakers.
safe observing / no tripping over or bumping into others gear.
The list go's on...

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John O'Mahony
Posts: 552
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:36 am
Location: Limerick, Ireland

Post by John O'Mahony » Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:25 pm

Thats basically what my club here has. We have a club house but no observatory. We have a couple of concrete slabs facing directly north/ south with a few electrical power points on each.

http://www.mpas.asn.au/_astro/gallery2/ ... temId=2710
John O'Mahony
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/7703127@N07/

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Dave Lillis
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Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:02 am
Location: Limerick city

Post by Dave Lillis » Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:50 am

its definitely the way to go, far more feasible then an observatory which is not going to happen given security, dewing and power issues.
Getting a suitable site is the key. I have a few ideas on that and dont want to mention them publically yet.
Dave L. on facebook, See my images in flickr
Carrying around my 20" obsession is going to kill me, but what a way to go. :)

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