Observatory News

[Carole]

Doesn't that mean though that your laptop and chair would get wet when the roof was over the scope when not in use?

Very funny Mike, of course they build a roof over that too which the ROR rests on when open.

Carole

[Carole]

I want a curtained off area anyway when doing solar imaging, so I can see the computer screen away from the sun's glare.

Yes solar imaging is a PITA with reflections on the screen. 

I made myself a large cardboard box which sits over the laptop with a small lift up flap at the bottom so I can get my hands in to control the laptop.  I look through a slot cut out at the top edge, and with a peaked sunhat to shade my eyes, I get no reflections at all on the laptop.  And it all folds up flat afterwards, much better than spending ages sitting under a towel or blanket.

Carole

[MarkS]

Spent all Easter building this:



Dee's shed - a.k.a. observatory prototype.

Pretty happy with the result.  Very strong and it will scale up nicely.  Of course the real thing will have a sliding roof.

I can't believe how cold it was out there in those Arctic winds and it snowed most days.

I had a fixed camera taking an image every 60 seconds - I'll create a movie once the shed is complete.

[mickw]

Nicely done Mark, Dee will enjoy being locked in there 

[RobertM]

I can't even see Duncan bumping his head with a door opening that size

[MarkS]

I can't even see Duncan bumping his head with a door opening that size

There's a good reason for that - it needs the extra height in order to store the fold away table tennis table.

The observatory will have shorter walls and plenty of opportunity for Duncan's head-banging.

[The Thing]

I can't even see Duncan bumping his head with a door opening that size

There's a good reason for that - it needs the extra height in order to store the fold away table tennis table.

The observatory will have shorter walls and plenty of opportunity for Duncan's head-banging.

I used to enjoy a bit of head banging back in the day...

[MarkS]

The forecasters got it wrong again.  How come there was snow tonight when the forecast was a dry evening?  I had to rush out in the dark, wet and wind to put a tarpaulin over the roof to protect it until I can put the bitumen felt on.  The roofing felt should have been done on bank holiday Monday but it was far too gusty to attempt it.

[mickw]

Sunday is forecast as tornado free, would you like a hand ?

Or whenever you plan to do it.

[MarkS]

Sunday is forecast as tornado free, would you like a hand ?

Or whenever you plan to do it.

Thanks Mick - PM sent.