Observatory OrientationPosted By Steve Hollenbach |
Hi Louis,
I had similar problems with where to locate a dome observatory on my property, mostly due to neighbor's floodlights and a stand of mature cacti. It's due south of the tallest cactus, which is about twenty three feet high and forty feet away.
I can see everyhing within 10* of Polaris. I'm pretty much unobstructed to the south. There's a mountain range to the east but just under 15*. The city of Phoenix is west of me so anything below 35* from that horizon is in the light dome.
Anything within 15* of horizon is not going to show up well anyway just because of atmosphere. I mounted the dome six feet up to keep my eyes well away from the anoying lights, and the scope is tucked in with just enough vertical space to give me that 15* and let the lip of the dome block direct light from the floodlights down the road.
Hope that helps.
Thanks,
Steve
8)
I had similar problems with where to locate a dome observatory on my property, mostly due to neighbor's floodlights and a stand of mature cacti. It's due south of the tallest cactus, which is about twenty three feet high and forty feet away.
I can see everyhing within 10* of Polaris. I'm pretty much unobstructed to the south. There's a mountain range to the east but just under 15*. The city of Phoenix is west of me so anything below 35* from that horizon is in the light dome.
Anything within 15* of horizon is not going to show up well anyway just because of atmosphere. I mounted the dome six feet up to keep my eyes well away from the anoying lights, and the scope is tucked in with just enough vertical space to give me that 15* and let the lip of the dome block direct light from the floodlights down the road.
Hope that helps.
Thanks,
Steve
8)