Greetings From Michigan

[Carpe_Noctem]

Hello All,

I've recently been rediscovering my joy of stargazing with my eight year old son. I bought us a 10" reflector for Christmas and have been adding accessories ever since!

I imagine we'll add a second scope to our collection a little later on when we decide to do some imaging. For right now we have setup a really nice observatory which is also portable as we do a fair amount of camping. The shelter really helps extend our viewing time up here in the cold and frigid "Great White North".

Here is Carpe Noctem Observatory braving the cold Michigan winter:

Inside Carpe Noctem; notice how cozy it is in here with my newest addition, the carpet!

A month or so of setting up the scope before sunset and then braving sub zero temps combined with wind chill effect became old fast! The observatory is an absolute must for anyone who wants to do any "spontaneous" viewing.

If I happen to wake at 3am in the morning and check outside to see if it is clear; I'll consider popping on the snow suit, gloves and hat and head on out to the observatory with nothing more than my eyepieces in hand to enjoy viewing within 5 minutes of setup.

I look forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences with all of you. I'll also be asking for your help from time to time. It has been a long time since I have gazed at the stars so I have a fair amount of brushing up to do!

Cheers, and wishing y'all clear skies (I sure could use some!)

[Rusty Strings]

Hi and welcome to SGL

Very nice set up you have there

[glowjet]

Hi Carpe Noctem, a warm welcome to SGL, those views of yours reminds me of our last snow fall before Christmas, nice set up you have, enjoy the forum

John.

[Skillganon]

Wow that looks great. Did you make the observatory yourself?

[Bizibilder]

Hello Carpe Noctem and welcome to SGL!!

[nightfisher]

welcome to sgl.............nice set up

[Gadget]

Welcome to SGL

Great set up

Kevin

[JAO]

Hi Carpe Noctem and welcome. Love the portable observatory you have a great set up there.

Looks very cold too!

Adrian

[KevinCornish]

Hi Carpe Noctem and welcome to SGL

[UTMonkey]

Welcome, love the setup.

[Horus]

Hello Mitchigan and welcome to SGL

[todd8137]

hi mich and family and welcome to sgl,and the forum the setup looks great,but a little on the cold side look forward to your reports ect

pat

[brantuk]

Hi Carpe and welcome to SGL

[Fija]

Hi Carpe Noctem and welcome to SGL

[Cunhaval]

Hi, and welcome to the lounge - now, that's REALLY what I call dedication to the hobby

[nobbytate]

Hi and welcome from me to

[RogerTheDodger]

Hello and Welcome

I'd love to know more about that obsy, got any details?

roger

[BrianH]

Hi and welcome to SGL Carpe Noctum

Nice observatory you have there

[Mr Spock]

Hi, welcome to SGL

[JamesM]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Have you got another tent for the snow plough? Great set up by the way and seizing the night is what it's really all about at the end of the day! (....sorry about the pun!)

Clear skies

James

P.s Can you post any details regarding your observatory tent?

[Brendan of Borg]

Hello and welcome!

[Boondock Saint]

Hi and welcome to sgl

[Orion_the_Hunter]

Hi & welcome!

[johnh]

Welcome and looks a cozy obsy.

JohnH.

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, Carpe!

Nice to see another Michigander in the Lounge.

I'm originally from Constantine (south of Kalamazoo).

Dana

PS. I really DON'T miss observing in Michigan winters. Cold, cold, cold.

PPS. You like my avatar???