A.S.I.G.N. Observatory (Barry's home-made observatory)

[bloodhound31]

HI all!<br /><br />Barry's home-made observatory is now completed and FULLY OPERATIONAL!!!!! yay! It has been one complete year in the making. It certainly doesn't feel like it!<br /><br />I have also had a professional re-design on the website, so now it looks better and is NOT located at the old barry's home-made observatory (iinet.net) link. It has been re-named A.S.I.G.N Observatory. See the new link below. Please take a look and enjoy.<br /><br />I have big ideas for more astronomy related projects and development of the site so please stay tuned!<br /><br />http://www.aussiepeople.com.au/asignobservatory/<br /><br />God bless,<br /><br />Barry.

 

[MeteorWayne]

I have officially added you to my links to astro organizations.<br /><br />Congratulations, looks great.<br /><br />My yard's too small for such a thing, but I have this about 2 km away, so don't need to <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Looks like a website with a lot of potential.<br /><br />Barry, nice job by the webgeek. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[bloodhound31]

Thanks Meteor Wayne. Where can I find this astro organisations thingy?<br /><br />Baz.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Oh, well right now it's just my personal list, but when my website is up and running, it will be there.<br /><br />Stay tuned as the site is developed, I'll mention it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[bloodhound31]

Finally the clouds have parted and I got a view of the sky. Saturn is as beautiful as ever!! <br /><br />Baz.

 

[bloodhound31]

Hi there again!<br /><br />I have been hard at work on the website and there are now a few more features and another DIY project.Take a look!<br /><br /> http://www.aussiepeople.com.au/asignobservatory<br /><br /> Enjoy,<br /><br />Baz

 

[bloodhound31]

Thanks Mate! I'm not sure where I got it. On the net somewhere in my radio astronomy searches.<br /><br />Cheers, Baz.

 

[bloodhound31]

Broke the third crank mechanism! The dome is just too heavy! I wore out two round holes for a crank handle into oblong holes in just a few complete rotations. Two 1/2 inch holes through mild steel rhs turned into 1/2 inch by 1 inch oblongs.<br /><br />So now i have built a SUPER CRANK MECHANISM out of two 25mm roller bearings side by side. I'll be getting Ron to put it on the site for me, on the support ring page.<br /><br />http://www.aussiepeople.com.au/asignobservatory/Supportring.aspx<br /><br />Until then, heres a pic.<br /><br />Baz

 

[docm]

Try covering your dome with waterproof fabric (aircraft Poly Fabric etc.) instead of plywood panels. It'll take the weight down considerably. <br /><br />Heavy duty 70" widths run about $12 USD/lineal yard plus the resin in the US. This stuff is made for aerobatic planes, so it'll take about anything. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[billslugg]

Barry<br />You have it wrong. The crank with bearings would be the "Better Crank Mechanism". When you attach a motor then you will have the "Super" version! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p> </div>

 

[bloodhound31]

Thanks for your ideas lads, but the dome has to stay as it is, as the fibreglass is laid on the ply as a chopped strand mat, bonded together with the plywood for strength and weatherproofing. It cost me too many hundreds of dollars to take it off. To take it off would be harder than starting from scratch.<br /><br />The pictured mechanism IS the new one. This is what I have built to replace the flimsy old one I had.<br /><br />I have decided not to motorise the dome, as winding by hand now is really quite easy, and once I have my target in view, I dont have to move the dome for nearly 2 hours.<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />Baz.

 

[deapfreeze]

Very cool, I am looking forward to seeing some great pictures. Wish I could build my own <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#0000ff"><em>William ( deapfreeze ) Hooper</em></font></p><p><font size="1">http://deapfreeze-amateur-astronomy.tk/</font></p><p> </p> </div>