Stephen Hamilton's Astro-Photography Gallery

Open Obersvatory before siding was added

E2Pilot — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:45:01 GMT

Open Obersvatory before siding was added

This picture shows the observatory opened right after the rails were added and before the siding was put on.

Closed Observatory Before Siding was added

E2Pilot — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:43:35 GMT

Closed Observatory Before Siding was added

This is the observatory before the siding was added wiht the roof closed. After the siding was added, the builder did a fantastic job of sealing off the gaps that can be seen in this picture with trim work.

Observatory Power Layout

E2Pilot — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 05:47:17 GMT

Observatory Power Layout

This diagram shows how power is distributed and utilized in the observatory. Ther are a couple of other items not shown here includin a weather station computer (wireless weather station) and an ari conditioner. The power layout for the observatory itself is broken up into 4 sections that each have thier own circuit breaker coming from the main circuit for the house.

USB and Serial Connectivity Layout

E2Pilot — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 05:43:25 GMT

USB and Serial Connectivity Layout

This diagram shows how I have the USB and serial connections layed out in the observatory. I was concerned at first by the idea of having a single USB cable coming into the computer but have found no issues. This is probably due to the fact that the main cable coming from the USB powered hub is an active extension cable and also that the hub is fully powered. So far this has worked well with no issues noted in dropped frames or download delays.

Thought I would throw in a little more info on the specific parts in this diagram. If you are thinking of putting together this same setup this should get you started. The links will probably go out of date pretty quickly but it should give you an idea at least on where to go.

7 Port Belkin USB 2.0 Hub - $49 at BestBuy
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8488772&st=belkin&lp=3&type=product&cp=1&id=1186003682248

The USB to 4 Port Serial hub - $70 at CableMax
http://www.cablemax.com/serial-adapters/usb_4-port-to-serial_converter.html

Active USB Cable (this simply means it has a built in signal amplifier but must be for 2.0, 1.1 will not work with a 2.0 port) - $17 at Sewell Direct
http://sewelldirect.com/usb2extensioncable.asp

Another Image of the LX90 from the right side

E2Pilot — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 03:29:37 GMT

Another Image of the LX90 from the right side

I posted this image because it gives a better perspective on the amount of room the LX90 on the LeSeuer Pier, even with both scopes set up.

Tak NJP with SN8 and Meade LX90 with Meade 80 ED APO

E2Pilot — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 03:25:47 GMT

Tak NJP with SN8 and Meade LX90 with Meade 80 ED APO

This image shows the two scopes set up in the observatory. As can be seen, it is a bit tight but I can actaully use both at the same time within reason. When using only one scope at a time, there is plenty of room to move around even with both set up.

Note: This image makes it look like the LX90 is just about up against the wall but in fact, it is nearly 3 feet off the right side (east) wall.

Top View of Observatory

E2Pilot — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 03:22:54 GMT

Top View of Observatory

This image shows the observatory taken from up on my house with the roof open back as far as the warm room. As can be seen in this image, though a bit tight, there is room for both scopes in there. The main room has been painted flat midnight blue but I still need to finish the warm room and put down the carpet. Mrs. Hamilton also says I need to finish the landscaping also (she apparently doesn't care for a plywood walkway LOL)

Scope mounted on LeSeur Pier

E2Pilot — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 12:20:20 GMT

Scope mounted on LeSeur Pier

This image shows the Meade LX90 mounted on the LeSeur Pier and the Meade Super Wedge. Although the image makes it look like the scope is above the edge of the wall, it is actually a good bit below it with the dew shield being about 6 inches or so below the roof line in this position. I can close the roof with the scope in the home position also and it clears by about 2 inches.

Observatory with Roof Open

E2Pilot — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 06:12:51 GMT

Observatory with Roof Open

This image of the observatory shows the roof in the open position. Since the back portion is a warm room, the roof only opens back about 12 feet instead of the full 15 feet. I actually will probably only open it up to the edge of the Warm room wall most of the time which is situated at 10 feet from the front.

The roof rolls on 30 high end garage door rollers and high strength garage door tracks. The builders did a fantastic job on this part especially and the roof can easily be rolled back and forth with one hand. I will eventually add a motor so I can be even lazier LOL.

Observatory with Roof Closed

E2Pilot — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 06:08:12 GMT

Observatory with Roof Closed

The nearly complete King George Observatory with the roof closed. The Observatory is 10x15 feet with a wall dividing the back 5 feet from the front as a warm room. The plans were based for the most part on SkyShed plans though I made alterations for the size, siding, warm room, etc.

Pier Design

E2Pilot — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 18:18:34 GMT

Pier Design

The pier will be set on quite a bit of concreted, but the ground is a bit sandy so I have to ensure the weight helps to keep everything stable. Will probably lay gravel at the base as well before pouring.

Observatory Flor Plan - top Down view

E2Pilot — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 18:16:56 GMT

Observatory Flor Plan - top Down view

This shows the floor and walls of the new observatory as sen from abov (minus the tracks and such for the roll off roof). I will probably make soem minor mdifications such as increasing the "warm room" size a bit and setting the main pier a little more off center to the south.