It appears I have a pier.

It appears I have a pier. Nov 30, 2021 283 views1536×2048207.15 kB

Scott Homstead

Backyard

Back 40 Observatory on The Road Apple Ranch, Eustis (Florida), US

Description

When I set up the Nexdome on a 28 inch platform so that the horses and donkeys couldnt use it as a scratching post, I thought I could use my tripod mount since I set up then work remote. I was wrong. Everytime the dome moves, I lose a frame. First light is on the Spider and the Fly nebula.

Comments

Ruediger Nov 30, 2021

Hi Scott

very nice setup. I wish you many clear nights. 👍
Ruediger

Scott Homstead Nov 30, 2021

Thank you for the well wishes. 2021 was not a bountiful year here, so I appreciate your hopefulness.

Ruediger Nov 30, 2021

Here the same. Only awful weather. Let’s hope the best….
Ruediger

Adel Kildeev Nov 30, 2021

What went wrong? Pier column should be independent from the dome, does it?

Scott Homstead Nov 30, 2021

12 inch pier. 16 x 16 inch hole in the deck with a plywood cover screwed down to the floor planks that is separated from the pier by roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch. No deck touching the pier.

Adel Kildeev Nov 30, 2021

Sounds right, vibration should not effect the scope....

CrestwoodSky Nov 30, 2021

Very nice. I'm jealous. The pier is definitely the way to go inside a dome. Currently waiting on an Explora-Dome myself. From what I'm hearing it will be delivered sometime in the next decade or so...

Scott Homstead Dec 1, 2021

I got this one before covid...that even took about six months. Youll love having the dome. Once you get everything running it makes the hobby much more enjoyable.

John Favalessa Dec 4, 2021

Congratulations! We all have extreme covet! Are you running 2 scopes or a focuser on the guide scope?

Scott Homstead Jan 10, 2022

Two scopes and I swap out the guide camera depending on my primary needs. Lately have been using the Esprit 120 as the primary and guiding off the Meade .