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Setting Up a Remote Observatory

Setting Up a Remote Observatory. Bernard Miller. Agenda. Roll-off roof versus dome Required Equipment Optional Equipment Software Demo. Roll-off Roof vs Dome. Reasons for choosing roll-off roof More room 15x15 footprint allows for two piers Less complicated

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Setting Up a Remote Observatory

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  1. Setting Up a Remote Observatory Bernard Miller

  2. Agenda • Roll-off roof versus dome • Required Equipment • Optional Equipment • Software • Demo

  3. Roll-off Roof vs Dome • Reasons for choosing roll-off roof • More room • 15x15 footprint allows for two piers • Less complicated • Syncing scope and roof is one more thing that can go wrong • Possible higher maintenance • Dome moves constantly throughout imaging session • RoR opens and closes once per session • Have a friend with RoR that served as an “adviser” • Either one will work fine • Go with what you are comfortable with

  4. Required Equipment • Pier • WEB Switch • To turn equipment on/off • Video Camera(s) • To see what is going on in the observatory

  5. Required Equipment • Pier • Concrete Pier using Sonotube • Cheapest solution • Need to consider mounting plate for mount

  6. Required Equipment • Pier • Omega1 pier from Backyard Observatories • More expensive ($800.00) • Pre-installed electrical outlets • Reusable in the future • http://www.backyardobservatories.com

  7. Required Equipment • Web Power Switch • Power control via the web • Controls up to 8 devices • Connects to internet via IP:port address • i.e. 123.32.57.6:1234 • http://www.digital-loggers.com/lpc.html

  8. Required Equipment • Web Power Switch

  9. Required Equipment • Video • Express 4 Video Server (~$600.00) • Controls 4 independent video cameras • Streams all four channels to WEB address • WEB access using IP address:port (192.123.63.2:23) • http://californiapc.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=46

  10. Required Equipment • Video • Video Camera ($132.00 each) • Very low LUX rating (0.0003) • Need video cable and power supply • http://www.supercircuits.com/Security-Cameras/Bullet-Security-Cameras/PC88WR-2

  11. Required Equipment • Video Web Page

  12. Required Equipment • Video • Internet Camera ($235.00) • TRENDnet SecurView Day/Night Pan/Tilt/Zoom Internet Surveillance Camera TV-IP422 (White) • Would recommend getting wired version • Avoid infrared cameras • http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-SecurView-Wireless-Surveillance-TV-IP422W/dp/B0018DJF4K/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_26

  13. Optional Equipment • Backup Power Supply • Dome Controller • Power Monitor • At-Park Monitor • Weather Monitor • Flip-Flat

  14. Backup Power Supply • Backup Power Supply ($130.00 - $500.00) • http://www.apc.com

  15. Foster Systems • Foster Systems • Dome Controller ($260) • At-Park Monitor ($35) • Power Monitor ($30) • Weather Monitor ($630) • http://www.fostersystems.com

  16. Foster Systems • Foster Systems – Master Controller

  17. Foster Systems • Foster Systems – Dashboard

  18. Foster Systems • Foster Systems – RoR Controller

  19. Foster Systems • Foster Systems – A-Park Monitor

  20. Foster Systems • Magnetic Switches • Tane Alarm Products • Model SM35WG • These have a 2-inch gap tolerance (WG stands for wide gap) • Easier to work with on RA/DEC since it is not always possible to space them close together • In Phoenix I got mine at • Tri-Ed 3725 E Roeser Rd., Suite 15 Phoenix, AZ 85040 Tel 877 874 3300 - 602 470 9170 Fax 602 470 9838 • Use 20 or 22-guage 2-wire security cable • Available at Home Depot

  21. Foster Systems • Foster Systems – Power Monitor

  22. Foster Systems • Foster Systems – Weather Monitor

  23. Foster Systems • Flip-Flat – Used to take flat field images ($450.00) • http://alnitakastro.com/products/flip-flat/

  24. Software • ACP • Main observatory control software • MaximDL • Controls Camera and guide scope • FocusMax • Performs camera auto focus • Pempro • PEC and polar alignment

  25. Software • ACP ($895.00 plus $295.00/year) • Main observatory control software • Controls roof, telescope, mount, camera, focuser, FTP for file transfers • Integrates with MaximDL, FocusMax, Foster Systems controllers, and all equipment drivers • Fully ASCOM compatible

  26. Software • ACP

  27. Software • ACP Roof Setup

  28. Software • ACP Auto Guiding Setup

  29. Software • ACP Auto Focus Setup

  30. Software • MaximDL ($600.00) • Camera and Guider control software • Integrates with ACP and telescope • Controls guider and image acquisition

  31. Software • MaximDL

  32. Software • FocusMax • Controls most autofocusers • I use Microtouch Autofocuser • Integrates with ACP to perform autofocus before and during image acquisition • Freeware

  33. Software • FocusMax

  34. Software • Pempro ($150.00) • PEC • Measure and train PEC on most mounts • Polar Align Wizard • Assists with drift method for polar alignment

  35. Total Cost • Lease: $5000.00 • Observatory: $8500.00 • Pier: $800.00 • Web switch: $109.00 • Video Server: $600.00 • Video Cameras: $400.00 • Foster Systems Controller: $350.00 • ACP: $895.00 • MaximDL: $600.00 • Pempro $150.00 • Total: $17,404.00

  36. Some Pictures

  37. Pictures Foundation

  38. Pictures Slab

  39. Pictures Midpoint

  40. M33 Pictures Observatory

  41. M33 Equipment Pictures

  42. Pictures M92 PGC 59984

  43. Pictures NGC 869 & 884

  44. Pictures NGC 869 & 884

  45. Pictures Lunar Eclipse

  46. M42 Pictures Trapezium

  47. Pictures IC 405

  48. M33 Pictures NGC 604

  49. M78 McNeil's Nebula

  50. M101 PGC 49919 NGC 5477

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