Gina's Mini Widefield Imaging Observatory

[Gina]

I have decided that the north side of the roof (on the left in the diagram) will be much the same as the south side with extended wheel mountings to allow for the lower running rail.  This allows me to place the batten flat against the plywood and save an angled edge for which I haven't really got good enough woodworking tools or skills.

[Gina]

Here's one design I shall try for the north side wheel carriers.  I think it might be a bit on the light side regarding sideways strength but it will do to check the height anyway.

[carastro]

I really enjoyed your original observatory build Gina, but can't quite grasp what you are trying to do here?

I gather it's a 2nd observatory for widefield stuff, but can;t quite grasp the intended construction and how it will work.  

I'm also admiring all these 3D printer parts you are producing.

Carole 

[Gina]

I really enjoyed your original observatory build Gina, but can't quite grasp what you are trying to do here?

I gather it's a 2nd observatory for widefield stuff, but can;t quite grasp the intended construction and how it will work.  

I'm also admiring all these 3D printer parts you are producing.

Carole 

Thank you Carole

Yes, this is indeed a 2nd observatory for widefield.  Like my first obsy it's a wooden box with a roll off roof but this one doesn't include a warm room.  Also, this one is only just big enough to contain the pier, mount and widefield imaging rig plus electronics and dehumidifier, when the roof is closed.  The roof is supported on 1" diameter aluminium tubes which extend to the west enough to support the roof in the open position while allowing a good view to the west.

The base part consists of four 75mm square posts supported in fence post ground spikes and surrounded with a wooden frame and weatherboarding.  There will be a door in the north side for access.  Printed brackets support the aluminium tubes which are the running rails for the roof.  The pier is a Skywatcher Pillar Mount and sits on three concrete blocks.

The roof is an apex type constructed from 6mm plywood on a wooden framework with a solid west wall and open east end, the east wall being a flap on the base.  Printed wheels and mountings provide support for the roof and run on the round tubular running rails.  The roof will be covered in either rubber roofing or tarpaulin material.

I think that just about covers it but if you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them

This is a screenshot from SketchUp that shows most of the construction.  The east end flap is not shown, nor the west end rail supports, pier supports, etc.

[carastro]

Many thanks for that Gina, I now can see what you are doing, but I don't have a sense of scale.  

Carole 

[Stu]

Carole, post #64 has images which show the basic size. Just big enough to house the mount and Widefield rig

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Gina]

Thanks for that

Many thanks for that Gina, I now can see what you are doing, but I don't have a sense of scale.  

Carole 

I'll post the dimensions tomorrow and I could take a photo or two with a carpenters rule in the picture.  But you should get an idea from the photos already posted.

[carastro]

Thanks got it now.

Carole 

[Gina]

Not done a lot on this today but I have cut the aluminium tube in half to make the two ROR running rails.  These photos show the second rail roughly in position supported on a piece of wood.  Should be able to work out the dimensions of the other parts now

[Gina]

A bit more progress today   Designed mounting brackets for the north side running rail and changed a piece of wood on the framework to suit the mountings.  I needed a wider piece than I had on and an offcut floorboard from the main obsy filled the bill.  The tongue provided a convenient ridge to hold the mounting bracket at the top - I designed and printed the brackets to fit the profile of the floorboard.

[Stu]

Looks great Gina. Seems a bit tight around the CW, how will that work?? Will you remove the weight each time?

Stu

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Gina]

Thank you Stu    That is the position where the weight balances my widefield rig with the heaviest lenses so should be alright.  But if it does need more room I can lower the wood and extend the roof wheel brackets to compensate.   Or add the second weight.

[Stu]

Thank you Stu That is the position where the weight balances my widefield rig with the heaviest lenses so should be alright. But if it does need more room I can lower the wood and extend the roof wheel brackets to compensate. Or add the second weight.

I was more wondering how the wheel on that side is going to get past the weight where it is positioned now? Seems to be in the way or am I misinterpreting things?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tekkydave]

Looking good. Is the goat part of the build?

[Gina]

I was more wondering how the wheel on that side is going to get past the weight where it is positioned now? Seems to be in the way or am I misinterpreting things?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That is a working position showing the worst case for clearance, the mount will be parked with the weight to the east with the weight rod horizontal.  Post 10 on page 1 shows photos of the parked position.

[Stu]

Ahh, all is clear :-)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fwm891]

Looking good. Is the goat part of the build?

Building inspection

[Martin-Devon]

Just a quick note to followers of this thread - Gina contacted me today to say that her internet connection is down. She has to change providers, but expects to be back on line and posting by next Thursday.

Martin

[Gina]

BT Internet got me online late this afternoon so I'm back after what has seemed an interminable time

[saac]

Welcome back Gina; funny how you miss an internet connection when you lose it;  just shows you how much it is part of our lives now.  BT are not the quickest when faults occur - my father in law had a problem that ran for near 6 weeks. He eventually left BT but, give them their due, their CEO replied personally to his letter of complaint.

Anyway back to more interesting matters, what progress have you made GIna, do you have your rig installed now?

Jim 

[Gina]

Thank you   It has been a bad time for me   Though I have progressed a couple of projects.

No progress to report on this one though - I've been concentrating on getting my main rig sorted out (I had power problems).  Also, most of the time the weather has not been suitable.  But today is better - so far - and I might do a bit to it.  No sign of any clear nights in the next few days!

[SkySurfer]

Following on from my "where to put a second pier" thread here the topic has moved on so time for a new thread 

Having decided where to put the pier and what to use for the pier, the next stage is to provide a cover for the pier, the mount and the widefield imaging rig.  The design started off with a hinged roof box but has moved on to a mini observatory with a roll off roof for unattended or remote controlled imaging - via plastic storage boxes of various sorts.

The location is close to the southern boundary fence around 5-6 metres from my main observatory as shown in the attached photos.  View to the north and north-west is very restricted by the bungalow and trees behind on rising ground.  The view extends almost to the horizon from NE all the way round to the west

location 01.jpglocation 02.jpglocation 03.jpg

And this gives an idea of how the triple imaging rig will fit on the NEQ6 and SW pillar mount.

Imaging rig 01.jpg

Hi Gina,

Can I ask is the white tube on your new mount an 80mm, if so where can I source one from as I have the three leg attachments, but need the pipe, but must be 80mm diameter.

Thanks in advance

SS

[Gina]

Hi Gina,

Can I ask is the white tube on your new mount an 80mm, if so where can I source one from as I have the three leg attachments, but need the pipe, but must be 80mm diameter.

Thanks in advance

SS

The tube is around 100mm OD and is a SkyWatcher EQ6 Pillar Mount.

[Gina]

As mentioned in another thread, I have another idea for the roof.  The Avalon Merlino observatory inspired me   I'm considering a cylindrical roof or an approximation to it.

These photos of the widefield rig parked with the roof structure as an overlay show the principle.  ATM this is just an initial look at the idea - practicalities are another matter

[Gina]

One thing the above photos show is how big the NEQ6 mount is in comparison with the triple imaging unit.  I would like something more compact really

Should I resurrect my home made mount project I wonder