Posts Made By: Mike Fleenor

Have a general question for folks with DIY type dome observatories.

How large is your dome slit and what size instrument are you using? I will be using scopes between 10 and 12" presently and maybe a 16" later on. I am trying to decide about a slit 24" wide (seems small but good to block out light) and one 40" which would be more than big enough but may defeat the purpose of a dome as it would let in considerable light from my suburban location.

Any info would be appreciated.

Mike

If any DIY'er has used Steve Stefanik's plan set I would appreciate any feedback you might care to share with me.

My email is [email protected]

I am back in the mode to get something going with my obs. I had a nice roll off roof a few years back that I had to dismantle when I moved and now that I am in a subdivision a dome is the way I have to go. Got some plans drawn up however someting always seems to come up just when I am about to get started. I visited the moonshine domes page today to find the website has been revamped but haven't heard anything new since earlier in the year. Just curious if they have managed to get everything together yet?? Noticed there was an 8' dome for sale on A-mart but I really need a 10'. Did any of the folks in line for a dome get a finished product that they were satisfied with?


Thanks,

Mike

Fianlly got a small page up detailing progess to date of my new observatory. I am starting to reconsider my original pier design of a cast concrete cylinder in favor of a sectional metal pier. This would make removal easier if needed and I have a friend with lots of welding skills.

Anyway here are the details.
http://www.mikefleenor.com/observatory/obs2/dome.htm

Mike

Well not quite finished but I have the dome on the walls now!! The Octagon was a blast cutting out. The wife will be wanting a gazebo now.


So far the neighbors haven't complained. they are all cool with it, besides it's not an observatory- Its a playhouse

I installed the electric drives today and finished hooking up the shutter restraints, etc. All I have to do to the dome now is caulk the seams and I can then concentrate on completing the walls. They will be OSB clad with vinyl siding on the exterior.

I also have located some standard 12" pipe that I will be fabricating the two piece pier from. It was a gift.

I could've bought several roll-off structures for what I am going to have in this when its all said and done however tonight my back door neighbors were throwing a backyard party with floodlights, etc. yet from within the dome I could still see mag 5 stars-Oh yeah!

Here is the pic if it gives you any ideas. This was shot from a second story window in my house.

I am very impressed with TI and their products!

Mike

I have just obtained CF cloth and resin but am at a loss how to make my tube. I need to build a tube for my 12.5" F/5 Newtonian astrograph...Any pointers/references would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

It's been several months since my last update but I am just about ready to settle in the new obs. I have the inspector coming Monday for final walkthrough then its time to finish the interior. This weekend I hope to get the pier fabricated. (7'long -12" steel pipe )

http://www.mikefleenor.com/observatory/obs2/dome.htm

Should be fully operational by the time those crisp and clear fall skies get here!

Mike

I am needing a longer focal length telescope and have been wanting to use my home made 8" f/7 newt for CCD imaging with an ST10. It presently has a 1.52" secondary and with the turned down edge mask installed it delivers super planetary views.I am confident that with a rigid spider it would prove to be a great imaging platform.


I will be machining the focuser and spider myself so I can exercise quite a bit of leeway with the dimensions. My dilemna is sizing the secondary large enough to fully illuminate the ST10 while minimizing the loss of contrast from a large CO. After running my numbers in Newt 3.0 I come up with a secondary size of 1.83" The resulting fully illuminated area just fits within the fov of the ST10 at this focal length. I realize this is adequate but am concerned about possible edge defects with secondary mirrors. Would it be better to go up to the next size or stay with the 1.83"?

Design Parameters:

8" f/7
tube od 10.5" (sonotube)

focuser height 2.5"
travel 0.75"
extra height for CCD/cfw 1.0"

ST 10 fov=24.5' x 36.4' @ 1400mm fl, 1.0"/pixel resolution

Thanks,

Mike

Here is my first image of Comet Macholz acquired last night- the first clear night without a significant moon of the year.


http://www.mikefleenor.com/comet/macholz_1.htm

After seeing Stefan Seips's gorgeous image I had anticipated more ion tail detail but it appears things have changed as even the luminance frame only faintly shows the tail structure. Anybody have any recent images since the dislocation?

Mike

Hindered by thin clouds but still got some signal.

Mike