Hi Rick,

I have been searching the web for a "telescope-only pier housing" for a couple of years, and this was only one of two that I have been able to find. If you can locate any other links PLEASE post them - I really would like to build one as well. I saw a wonderful one a few years ago, and have been scanning the web to get it back, without much luck.

In my situation, I enjoy my lovely garden yard, where the ideal spot for a small ready made observatory would be in the corner - where all the fruit trees block a fair amount of the sky. I am not willing to sacrifice the trees and ruin the enjoyment of my "day space".

I thought that a less conspicuous pier mounted telescope enclosure would be a good compromise, with quick access to my set-up, but without a "building blocking my view" - sort of the large white elephant in the middle of my outdoors room.

I really hope you, or anyone else here, can share a link for this specific kind of project.

Thanks,
Joe

Arborvitae is the type of evergreen I'm going to use, if you google it
you'll see an image. They're nice and dense, can be bought at the
right height (about 6') and when planted about 2' apart, give a strong
privacy hedge. I'm planning to make an enclosure about 9 x 9 feet on
the inside (unlike a building, I can always trim the walls back a bit
if needed...) and with a good solid gate in a sidewall opening that I
can lock to keep curious kids and critters out. I'm thinking that I'll
plant either grass or a low mossy-type ground cover, have a nice paved
walk to the entrance and a little paved pad inside for a computer cart
I'll wheel in when using the scope. The scope will be on a tripod with
4' deep footings - less intrusive and permanent than a big slab for
the 1200 mount on a pier. I plan a round paved walkway for viewing,
with gravel under the tripod legs and the scope and tripod covered
with Telegizmos 365 covers. Should work well, and look good too.
Money saved from building a remote observatory should buy me a Prius...
Morgan


--- In ap-gto@..., "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@...> wrote:

Sounds great,

What kind of hedge are you selecting - that will not harbour

mosquitoes,

etc.?
Do cedar trees discourage mosquitoes?

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Morgan Spangle" <msfainc@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 9:36 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Leaving as GTO mount outdoors

I had thought about this. But since I also need to screen the local
house and street lights, I'm thinking about a "secret garden" - a
space enclosed by a hedge of 6' tall arborvitae, accessed by a gate in
one of the hedge walls. This would provide shelter from wind and
light; security; temperature equilibrium for scope and mount; and
allow me to place it on the best spot on my property - without the
neighborhood watch group getting upset! Even the wife has given the
thumbs up...so I'll keep you all posted as I go ahead.
Morgan

Hi Morgan,

Sounds great - but as for the "gate", maybe you can form the wall into a spiral (even an offset square), so the entrance is open, still hidden, but doesn't need a latched gate to handle in the dark, unless you want to keep the larger critters out of the enclosure.

The round paved walkway - leaves me to imagining a "yellow brick road" - narrowing as you enter the green observatory, for the local school "Munchkins " to come and observe the sky. Have you considered yellow bricks :-)

You are planning a "4-foot deep" footing, just for tripod legs? I was planning to bury some stone cinder blocks below grass grade, and silicone seal onto them, a set of Losmandy tripod vibration pads (which have suitably molded slots for those angled pipes), so I can just slip them in like feet into a pair of slippers. That would be a permanently repeatable position for my portable tripod set up in the yard, with anti vibration isolation from the stone surface as a bonus.

As for gravel - I stay away from gravel parking lots, at the club dark sites, because of the clay dust, and the dirt picked up on shoes and knees, not to mention stones. One night after just a few hours of observing at our dark site, in an area of gravel pit mining (during the week), I was shocked to see a large glob of clay dripped down the meniscus of my Q7 corrector, after the frost had melted and collected clay particles deposited on the lens, just from the surrounding air. There wasn't even a breeze to account for that deposition. Learned my lesson about dirty clay.

There are "pots of annuals" I was thinking about using in a circle around my spot. I forget the name of the small plant, but it smells of lemon, as a mosquito repellant. Unfortunately, a dozen pots of this annual plant, every year, can be expensive, but I will look into it.

Joe

Hi Joe
I think I remember a Sky and Telescope article a few years ago that showed
the construction of such a pier top enclosure. I will try to find this
article, but maybe someone else has a better recollection of exactly which
issue it was in.

Richard

Thanks,

Maybe that is where I saw it, in the middle of a lovely backyard garden, or brick patio. I can almost still picture it - I think it housed an LX-10? I do believe I scanned my back issues of S&T a while back, but struck out. I will have another look, just in case. Sure wish S&T's indexing site was a lot easier to use - or that they would bring back the semi annual printed index that some fool discontinued a couple of years ago - I have the feeling the magazine is in decline, and am considering discontinuing, after over 40 years of subscribing.

Joe

Actually thinking about getting the Prius and then doing the plug-in
upgrade, hear its not too difficult and gives over 100 mpg (and I can
do it now - who knows when GM will get around to the Volt)
Morgan

--- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@... wrote:

In a message dated 4/8/2008 1:07:41 PM Central Daylight Time,
msfainc@... writes:

Money saved from building a remote observatory should buy me a

Prius...

Save for a Chevy Volt ;^)

Rolando


**************
Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel
Guides.

(http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Joe,
I will post if I see them again. They were posted on
the "Observatories" Yahoo group some time ago. However; Remember,
that I siad the design was for mount only...Not scope also. That
would require a much larger case and one that would be more likely
to draw attention.
Thanks, Rick


--- In ap-gto@..., "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@...>
wrote:

Hi Rick,

I have been searching the web for a "telescope-only pier

housing" for a

couple of years, and this was only one of two that I have been

able to find.

If you can locate any other links PLEASE post them - I really

would like to

build one as well. I saw a wonderful one a few years ago, and have

been

scanning the web to get it back, without much luck.

In my situation, I enjoy my lovely garden yard, where the

ideal spot for

a small ready made observatory would be in the corner - where all

the fruit

trees block a fair amount of the sky. I am not willing to

sacrifice the

trees and ruin the enjoyment of my "day space".

I thought that a less conspicuous pier mounted telescope

enclosure would

be a good compromise, with quick access to my set-up, but without

a

"building blocking my view" - sort of the large white elephant in

the middle

of my outdoors room.

I really hope you, or anyone else here, can share a link for this

specific

kind of project.

Thanks,
Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick Wiggins" <rickwiggins@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 12:27 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Leaving as GTO mount outdoors

Hi Joe,
Thanks. That is similar, but the design that I was describing

only

covers the mount and is much smaller...just big enough to

surround

the mount.
Thanks, Rick

--- In ap-gto@..., "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@>
wrote:

Hi Rick,

Here is a link to the Hanna City Remote Robotic Observatory,

pics and

plans:
I think that is what you were referring to as a BOX observatory.

http://www.mtco.com/~jgunn/

Joe

Hi Richard,
I think you are correct also. I to remember seeing an article;
however, I think it was many years ago.
Thanks, Rick

--- In ap-gto@..., Richard Seavey <reseavey@...> wrote:

Hi Joe
I think I remember a Sky and Telescope article a few years ago

that showed

the construction of such a pier top enclosure. I will try to find

this

article, but maybe someone else has a better recollection of

exactly which

issue it was in.

Richard




At 01:43 PM 4/8/2008 -0400, you wrote:

Hi Rick,

I have been searching the web for a "telescope-only pier housing"

for a

couple of years, and this was only one of two that I have been

able to find.

If you can locate any other links PLEASE post them - I really

would like to

build one as well. I saw a wonderful one a few years ago, and

have been

scanning the web to get it back, without much luck.

In my situation, I enjoy my lovely garden yard, where the ideal

spot for

a small ready made observatory would be in the corner - where all

the fruit

trees block a fair amount of the sky. I am not willing to

sacrifice the

trees and ruin the enjoyment of my "day space".

I thought that a less conspicuous pier mounted telescope

enclosure would

be a good compromise, with quick access to my set-up, but without

a

"building blocking my view" - sort of the large white elephant in

the middle

of my outdoors room.

I really hope you, or anyone else here, can share a link for this

specific

kind of project.

Thanks,
Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick Wiggins"
<<mailto:rickwiggins%40earthlink.net>rickwiggins@...>
To: <<mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>ap-gto@...>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 12:27 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Leaving as GTO mount outdoors

Hi Joe,
Thanks. That is similar, but the design that I was describing

only

covers the mount and is much smaller...just big enough to

surround

the mount.
Thanks, Rick

--- In <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>ap-

gto@..., "Joseph

Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@>

wrote:

Hi Rick,

Here is a link to the Hanna City Remote Robotic Observatory,

pics and

plans:
I think that is what you were referring to as a BOX

observatory.

<http://www.mtco.com/~jgunn/>http://www.mtco.com/~jgunn/

Joe

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks Rick,

Even so, that would still be useful, if you ever spot it again.
I went through all the "hundreds" of Yahoo Group's "observatories" - where I too thought might have been where I saw it - and did not find it.
I wish S&T would do a more extensive article on this kind of secure but "minimalist" enclosure.
The closest thing I have seen , are Robotic Observatories - but this are not easy to use manually (tight space).

Joe

Hi Joe,

Try this site:

http://hometown.aol.com/davetrott/page5.htm

I think this might be what you're looking for, a solid sheel around a
mount.
Morgan



--- In ap-gto@..., "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@...> wrote:

Thanks Rick,

Even so, that would still be useful, if you ever spot it again.
I went through all the "hundreds" of Yahoo Group's "observatories"

- where

I too thought might have been where I saw it - and did not find it.
I wish S&T would do a more extensive article on this kind of secure but
"minimalist" enclosure.
The closest thing I have seen , are Robotic Observatories - but this

are not

easy to use manually (tight space).

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick Wiggins" <rickwiggins@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 4:48 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Leaving as GTO mount outdoors

Hi Joe,
I will post if I see them again. They were posted on
the "Observatories" Yahoo group some time ago. However; Remember,
that I siad the design was for mount only...Not scope also. That
would require a much larger case and one that would be more likely
to draw attention.
Thanks, Rick

I've been using a StarBubble(tm) 10' (Portable Telescope, Observatroy,
Astronomical and Planetarium Dome) for about 15 months.

Shelter Systems' lightweight, StarBubblestm portable telescope,
observatroy, astronomical and planetarium domes are designed to protect
astronomers and their telescopes from light, wind and dew. The
StarBubbles are freestanding and can be turned or moved easily. They are
constructed with our white/black
<http://www.shelter-systems.com/dome-coverings.html> , light-blocking
covering. This woven, ripstop covering will exclude all light from the
interior of the dome except for the opening for your telescope. We can
make the white out, black in or black out, white in.

The StarBubble(tm) portable telescope, observatroy, astronomical and
planetarium domes line was developed to provide maximum interior space
with a minimum footprint. We have taken our standard StarDome(tm)s
<http://www.shelter-systems.com/star.html> and added an additional band
of poles and covering to the bottom, which creates more height. The
walls actually come in a little at the bottom, like a bubble, so the
diameter at the ground is about a foot less than the widest part of the
dome. This allows you to stand right up against the wall without your
head bumpingit. We have also removed one pole at mid- door section so
that you can walk in without bending. The StarBubble observatory and
planetarium domes has one door.

Two window flaps with velcro closures are provided for your telescope.
The window openings are not cut by us nor are the window flaps
installed. This way you can put them where you need them. We provide you
with the velcro that is backed with sticky tape and two 3' x 3'window
coverings of the White/Black so you can place the windows where you
want. You can also buy extra windows at $25 each.





















________________________________

From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf
Of Joseph Zeglinski
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 1:43 PM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Leaving as GTO mount outdoors



Hi Rick,

I have been searching the web for a "telescope-only pier housing" for a
couple of years, and this was only one of two that I have been able to
find.
If you can locate any other links PLEASE post them - I really would like
to
build one as well. I saw a wonderful one a few years ago, and have been
scanning the web to get it back, without much luck.

In my situation, I enjoy my lovely garden yard, where the ideal spot for

a small ready made observatory would be in the corner - where all the
fruit
trees block a fair amount of the sky. I am not willing to sacrifice the
trees and ruin the enjoyment of my "day space".

I thought that a less conspicuous pier mounted telescope enclosure would

be a good compromise, with quick access to my set-up, but without a
"building blocking my view" - sort of the large white elephant in the
middle
of my outdoors room.

I really hope you, or anyone else here, can share a link for this
specific
kind of project.

Thanks,
Joe

Hi Morgan,
Yes, this is the style to which I referred. Now imagine this made to
only accomodate the mount! It becomes even smaller!
Thanks, Rick

--- In ap-gto@..., "Morgan Spangle" <msfainc@...> wrote:

Hi Joe,

Try this site:

http://hometown.aol.com/davetrott/page5.htm

I think this might be what you're looking for, a solid sheel

around a

mount.
Morgan



--- In ap-gto@..., "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@>

wrote:

Thanks Rick,

Even so, that would still be useful, if you ever spot it

again.

I went through all the "hundreds" of Yahoo

Group's "observatories"

- where

I too thought might have been where I saw it - and did not find

it.

I wish S&T would do a more extensive article on this kind of

secure but

"minimalist" enclosure.
The closest thing I have seen , are Robotic Observatories - but

this

are not

easy to use manually (tight space).

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick Wiggins" <rickwiggins@>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 4:48 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Leaving as GTO mount outdoors

Hi Joe,
I will post if I see them again. They were posted on
the "Observatories" Yahoo group some time ago. However;

Remember,

that I siad the design was for mount only...Not scope also.

That

would require a much larger case and one that would be more

likely

to draw attention.
Thanks, Rick