Observing platform

[jonathan]

Just sorted out a new location to try out, it's out of the way of the neighbour's security lights (and ours), not much different in terms of available views as other locations in the garden (most sides are blocked by trees).

I'm hoping that the paving slabs will give me some stability, they have been mounted on coal dust (a substitute for sand) which I'm hoping won't ignite!

[nicnac]

nice, those low roofs may radiate some heat for a while though

[ollypenrice]

My guest sites have slabs on gravel so different tripods can be accommodated. It works fine even for long exposure imaging.

Olly

[Si W]

Did my platform a couple months ago, 20 18 ins flags, nice and flat now, just getting the pennies together for a shed and some timber to sort out a sliding roof observatory .

[mylatestwhim]

This is the rubbish view I get from the back of my terraced cottage.

Both neighbours have extended so I need to raise my scope somehow to see over their flat rooves.

This is my best solution yet. (2 audi a4 alloys and a paving slab sat on a dust sheet)

far too unstable really due to the rubber but allowed me a good view of Saturn last night which would otherwise have been out of view.

I'm thinking about a decorators/ plasterers platform at the moment..

[Uranium235]

You might want to try drilling some shallow holes in those slabs where the pointy bits on the legs can go. Less chance of actually moving the mount if you accidentally kick it in the dark... doh! (been there, done that, lost polar alignment!).

[jonathan]

nice, those low roofs may radiate some heat for a while though

I know, but it's pretty much like that South from where ever I put my telescope in the garden as that's where the rest of the village is, North is clear but half obscured by a hill and trees - Polaris is a few inches above the horizon.

[Si W]

Nice wheels, Does that Dob do 0-60 in 7 second

[Moonshane]

looks good to me. the main thing is that the slabs are detatched from where you stand/walk so vibrations will be minimal.

[mylatestwhim]

Nice wheels, Does that Dob do 0-60 in 7 second

LOL Nope there off a 1.9tdi so nearer 10 seconds

[jonathan]

I tried out the location for size with my trusty Sky Scout and 8x42 bins, saw all but two of Tonight's Highlights so I'm pretty chuffed with that, the two I couldn't see were obscured by small trees to the North, it may be possible to prune them a bit...