Scope / Observatory thoughts

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:50 am

So I'm planning to build a roll off observatory
here in Shannon.
I've a good East to South aspect
but will have to contend with street lights
exactly E & S, but at least they are
modern Full Cut-offs.
I'm building an extension to the house so
part of the work will include the footprint
for the observatory as a concrete foundation.
/pier.
.....

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:54 am

....sorry Iphone only lets me type so much per post...
The overall size is limited to aprox 10x8 feet. Biggest I can go, so it'll have to do.
Plans are underway for underground cables out to the obs. and up thru the pier with plenty of elec. points & spare cabeling for future needs.
I've done a lot of research on the design and
construction and my attitude is do it right once.

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:59 am

...the design is set up to house a C14 on a split
adjustable pier (basically a regular pier that is split in 2 and bolted together)
this will allow for the set up of a Cgem mount
on the pier and if later a different larger mount
is got it can be used.
Scope is the C14, & CGEM mount & tripod (great prices out there at the mo but I'm building the obs. first!)
....

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:03 am

...plan then is to invest in a 2nd mobile scope,
a reasonablly sized truss dob around 18" min.
To use as an 'in the field' scope.
goto is not a huge concern for this one but
I'll more than likely get a model that has it
just for ease of use.
ITS ALL ABOUT EASE OF USE!
if it aint easy.. y'aint gonna use it!!

...

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:05 am

Dont ask about budget yet...
Im still getting over the fact that
i'll be driving a 99 car for a VERY long time!

...

Roy Stewart · Post by **Roy Stewart** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:37 pm

Never mind the car, with the way the petrol is going we all need to invest in bikes....... As for the observatory QUDOS.... Look forward to seeing the pic's of it from start of construction to the finish.... JEALOUS JEALOUS JEALOUS

Cheers Roy

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:12 pm

Yip. just got another sickner today,
Tax for my jeep's €1400.
It may yet not roll out of the driveway.

Im seriously considering buying a 2nd hand
diesel small car.

Good news is i found out an old marshall amp
i have is worth nearly 2k so thats
the obs sorted.

Tom Walsh · Post by **Tom Walsh** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:41 pm

Fire sale?

Dave Lillis · Post by **Dave Lillis** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 6:24 pm

Thats great stuff Frank, which gem mount are you going to go for it,
Are you going to use the faststar option for the C14?
Looking forward to seeing it all done.

John O'Mahony · Post by **John O'Mahony** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:43 pm

Good luck with the observatory. Something I want to do sometime but I don't think my landlord will take kindly to it

Will a CGEM mount handle a C14 or did you mean a CGE-pro mount?

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 12:01 am

@tom
Yes, everything must go!!

I've more music gear that I may flog
but i'm slow to.. like my axe (Fender Tdlecaster) that I rescued from a skip on the ennis rd.
But ya, anything to raise funds.
@dave
Long time coming eh!
We plan to have the extension built by the
mid summer, and I plan on getting the scope & mount in and set up by xmass.
I've even considered a motor drive to aid roll off, we'll see.
@John
Ya, the CGEM can take 40lbs.
I've priced the mount & scope seperatly and can be got for 5k.
No faststar though,
but the standard c14 is perfect for what i want
(not into DSI)

John O'Mahony · Post by **John O'Mahony** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 8:35 pm

Good luck with the purchase. I still think you need a beefier mount (CGE or G11) for that scope.

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 10:06 pm

http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php ... ProdID=761
CGEM like this one, can carry 50 lbs,
the C14 is 45.
Gives me 5 lbs -
more thought i think so...

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 10:41 pm

my origional thinking was a G11.
This might be the best combo
for 2nd hand gear.
There's a C14 with fastar optics with G11
going for a measley $4800

Dave Lillis · Post by **Dave Lillis** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:17 am

Be carefull with the weights limits, some mounts when specifing the weights are actually including the counter weights aswell. dont know if that the case with this one.