Casita Observatory build

[Hals]

Regarding the roof run off beams, I did originally intend to sit them lower than the shed wall tops but it looks like too much of a faff to do. I'll take the easier option of sitting them on top of the wall tops. Roof will be higher with a larger gap but hey ho.

[Merlin66]

Interesting project...

I did similar using a tin shed. The wall height  did restrict the views but with all the surrounding houses etc etc it was not a real issue.

When I moved to St Leonards I inherited a 6 x 3 mtr workshop. Decided to remove the roof over half and run it back over the existing section.

The pier I had was extending by welding and adding a "Titantic anchor!!" extension piece to bring the telescope closer to the the wall height.

It's been is use now for almost four years - no issues no drama other than due to the mount height visual observing is very (very!) difficult and everything is now controlled "semi-remotely"

 

 

Edited November 16, 2020 by Merlin66

[Hals]

Roll off beams in place! Test fitted the roof frame, fits and slides very nicely. Still got to sort the guide rails, finish and felt the roof and fill the roof side gaps. Feels like an Obsy now! 

[Nigella Bryant]

Looking lovely, not easy building an obsy. What are you going to name it at the naming ceremony? 

[Hals]

17 minutes ago, Nigella Bryant said:

Looking lovely, not easy building an obsy. What are you going to name it at the naming ceremony? 

Cheers, I'm going to call it The Casita Observatory.

[Nigella Bryant]

8 minutes ago, Hals said:

Cheers, I'm going to call it The Casita Observatory.

I'm a numpty, it's in the title, lol. 

[Hals]

95% complete 👍 Apologies for the lack of build photos I had some dodgy weather and limited time so cracked on with it. Roof is held in place with x4 angled turnbuckles but I'm going to replace them with heavier duty ones as soon as I can. Need to sort some paint too yet. I'll put some more pictures on in due course. Just need to get the gear inside and set up and wait for first light. Wahey !!! I' ve got an observatory at last.

Edited November 21, 2020 by Hals

[AstroNebulee]

1 hour ago, Hals said:

95% complete 👍 Apologies for the lack of build photos I had some dodgy weather and limited time so cracked on with it. Roof is held in place with x4 angled turnbuckles but I'm going to replace them with heavier duty ones as soon as I can. Need to sort some paint too yet. I'll put some more pictures on in due course. Just need to get the gear inside and set up and wait for first light. Wahey !!! I' ve got an observatory at last.

Very impressive with the speed of your observatory build, its looking great. Every astronomers dream their own observatory have fun and clear skies 🌌📷🔭

[Nigella Bryant]

Lovely build. I'd get a security bar that goes straight across the door, those latches are easily snapped off with a little force. I had a RoR broken into while on holiday several years ago with three latches and pad locks. They took my 12inch SCT at the time and never recovered. 

Edited November 21, 2020 by Nigella Bryant
More comment added

[Hals]

19 minutes ago, Nigella Bryant said:

Lovely build. I'd get a security bar that goes straight across the door, those latches are easily snapped off with a little force. I had a RoR broken into while on holiday several years ago with three latches and pad locks. They took my 12inch SCT at the time and never recovered. 

Security bars are on my to do list 👍

[Hals]

error

 

 

Edited December 5, 2020 by Hals

[Hals]

First light from the newly built Casita Observatory. NGC 1499 The California Nebula, 20 x 120 sec unguided subs, had problems with my guide cam plus I didn't frame it properly. Just wanted to get something in the bag!

Then a pair of old favourites, M81 & 82. 10 x 300 sec subs, guide camera sorted by this point.

Both with WO Star 71 II & unmodded Canon 80D DSLR. Altair Quad-band filter.

What a revelation not having to lug all the gear and set up, take down, not having the cold wind at your back, shaded from all the lights etc.

 

[TerryMcK]

Fantastic build and great write up. 

[Hals]

4 hours ago, TerryMcK said:

Fantastic build and great write up. 

Cheers Terry. I'll add a few more pics once I've tidied it up a bit and beefed up security etc. I've really enjoyed doing it, definitely one of those "why didn't I do this sooner" moments.

[AstroNebulee]

Amazing work and great to see some fantastic images for your guiding issues to get something, I'd be ecstatic with them, will look forward to more great images from your observatory. It must be so good to not need to move anything into the garden and set up, plus stay in the warm as you said. Clear skies 🔭📷🌌

[Hals]

1 minute ago, LeeHore7 said:

Amazing work and great to see some fantastic images for your guiding issues to get something, I'd be ecstatic with them, will look forward to more great images from your observatory. It must be so good to not need to move anything into the garden and set up, plus stay in the warm as you said. Clear skies 🔭📷🌌

Cheers Lee. The warm was relative, it still got pretty cold last night. Just keeping the wind off makes a world of difference.

[AstroNebulee]

11 hours ago, Hals said:

Cheers Lee. The warm was relative, it still got pretty cold last night. Just keeping the wind off makes a world of difference

Yes the chill wind when I'm using my dslr outside isn't good, so with you having your observatory to shield you does make it so much better, enjoy, clear skies 🌌📷🔭

[Hals]

Upgraded the roof hold down turnbuckles, much better.

[Hals]

I've now fitted an extension to my Todmorden pier so that I have a better Southern view. Many thanks to David B (@Skipper Billy) for pointing me towards it on FLO clearance. I've also beefed up the security considerably, details of which I won't elaborate on for obvious reasons. I will have to do a custom park now as the roof won't clear the scope in the usual home position. Again it's waiting for a clear sky to re-polar align then off we go 👍

Edited November 29, 2020 by Hals

[Nigella Bryant]

Looking great, I could do with one of those long extension's, what length is that? 

[Hals]

1 hour ago, Nigella Bryant said:

Looking great, I could do with one of those long extension's, what length is that? 

Old school...it's 16 inches.

[Hals]

Finally got some paint on, and internally fitted a tube heater and a fan to keep the air moving. There's decent air flow in due to the roll off design but more moving air will help with condensation. Of which I have had only a little, on the mount metal. I keep everything covered on a cotton sheet too. So far so good, even after a few torrential downpours. Electrics are running off an outdoor extension lead to a dry box for now.

Edited December 8, 2020 by Hals

[AstroNebulee]

On 30/10/2020 at 20:44, Hals said:

It's going to be nothing fancy but I'll finally have an observatory. It will be a lift off roof initially but I will convert it to a roll off next spring when the weather turns. Started on the pier, I've gone for a Todmorden pier on cost grounds. Purchased the blocks, dug out the base and concreted in. Built the pier, fixed with bolts and adhesive. It's as solid as a rock. Next step is to fit the pier adapter, brake disc type for my HEQ5, after I've drilled out bolt holes in it. The paving slab is only there because I was using it to stand on as the garden was soaked after a lot of rain. Pier faces North with the picture facing South. I have good views all around apart from some trees in the South which can't be helped.

Cheers, Pete.

 

Hi hals 

I'm going to try and build a Todmorden pier in the communal area behind my flat of I get permission from my housing provider. I'd like to know which brake disc did you use for your mount and would this brake disc fit my eq3-2 mount and was it easy drilling the holes in the disc, sorry for all the questions but not seen any reference anywhere for mine. 

 

Clear skies 

[Hals]

Lee, the brake disc I got was from Ebay, specifically the PAGID LD10381 P. Only £16 for a pair (you can't get them singly). I don't know if they'll fit the EQ3-2, you'll need to measure the diameter of the recess on the tripod where the mount head sits. These were 60mm if I remember correctly. Drilling was easy, but I did it using the pillar drill at work with lubrication, using a hand drill would be do-able but a bit trickier.

Hope this helps,

Pete.

[AstroNebulee]

7 hours ago, Hals said:

Lee, the brake disc I got was from Ebay, specifically the PAGID LD10381 P. Only £16 for a pair (you can't get them singly). I don't know if they'll fit the EQ3-2, you'll need to measure the diameter of the recess on the tripod where the mount head sits. These were 60mm if I remember correctly. Drilling was easy, but I did it using the pillar drill at work with lubrication, using a hand drill would be do-able but a bit trickier.

Hope this helps,

Pete.

Thanks Pete 

That's great information, my eq3-2 mount is 60mm also, so I shall be purchasing this one as most I've seen are 62mm. Hoped I can use my works pillar drill to drill my holes. Thanks afain clear skies