AN OBSERVATORY FOR THE GARDEN

I wish, Sheal, I wish.

 

Hi Joolz, yep, they're pretty much like that ones I will be using. I will only be using the red lights and I don't need them too bright as even low down they can spoil my night vision.

 

Thanks Fern, I'll be doing some repainting inside the Observatory tomorrow and then I'll test the motorised roof to make sure it's turning correctly. After that I should be able to modify the accessory bay and also make a shelf over the top of the power board . After that I will move in the NEQ6 tripod and the 12 inch Meade Telescope ready for use. I've got my eye on the forthcoming dry and cold period next week as I think there's a chance of one or two clear skies then..........always the optimist!!

 

Hi Joolz, they will be placed down low enough not to be in my line of sight but will, hopefully, bounce enough dim red light to give me an idea of where things are in the Observatory!! I suspect I might have to use a different glue to stick the led lights to the Observatory wall as some glue don't like cold temperatures and surfaces and after a while give up.

 

Hi Fern, yes, I've moved the NEQ6 tripod and the biggest SCT Telescope, [a 12" aperture Meade scope], put a Dew Shield/Heater on it, connected it up to permanent power, nearly finished doing the touching up of matt black paint on the inside of the Observatory, put in the red LED lighting, stuck various "Mind Your Head" on the inside and outside of the entrance, "Danger, 240 Volt Electricity" by the roof motor and the three RCD double sockets supplying the power.
I've also used, cut and shaped, some of the spare rubber floor tiles to fit onto the accessory bay, and then also for use as a "soft" shelf for eyepieces, the Laptop, and any other stuff I want nearby. I've also got to calibrate a couple of devices that visually help find a star you're trying to look at with the scope so that all three have the star's] in the centre of the view. It's actually surprisingly hard to just use the scope on it's own to target a Star that's shining brightly in the skies right in front of you!!
I haven't been able to take to pics but I will asap but I've been busy trying to do other things!!
The weather has, obviously, been frustrating with all the constant cloud, rain, hail, etc that we've had. There's been a couple of days when we've had blue clear skies and that gave me hope that it would stay the same during the evening, but no, it has always clouded over So, I'm waiting now for some clear skies so that I can at least calibrate everything so that they're working in synchronisation............patience, patience, patience

 

Here's some info from the RAS, Jiffy.

"What's happening?

For the first time since 2005, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will all appear in the night sky together
When can we see it?

In Britain, the five planets will be visible at around 6.45am on January 20, but astronomers say the best view is likely to be in the early morning of February 5
Where should we look?

The planets will form a diagonal line from the Moon to the horizon and should be visible to the naked eye if there are clear skies
Will we see Mercury?

It will be very close to the horizon, but should be visible at dawn.
What about the others?

Venus will be visible in the south east, Saturn will a little higher to the right, Mars will be due south, and finally, in the far south east will be Jupiter, says Dr Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Anything to bear in mind?

"They won't be in an exact straight line, because you virtually never get that in astronomy," says Dr Massey. "They will be more scattered."