Sep 262021
Apr 232020
AP130GTX Telescope, Apogee U8300 CCD, AP900GTO Mount
50x5min exposures from Clinton, TN (Moderate Light Pollution)
Apr 192020
AP130GTX, Apogee U8300 CCD, AP1200GTO
10.5 hours of exposure time across 3 nights
From Light Polluted Clinton, TN
Jul 012018
I made the 13 hour trip up to Cherry Springs State Park for the Annual CSSP Star Party hosted by the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg PA, Inc. I went up a few days before the star party since it’s always helpful to get a good spot. Those of us that were there early on Monday night were treated to a fabulous night with SQM measurements >21.9! Overall it was an amazing streak of clear weather for PA with a total of 4 imaging nights. I was hoping for one or two so as not to set my expectations too high so I was very pleased with four nights!
I even did a little visual at low power with a 4″ refractor. LDN 1795 (large 50’x50’dark nebula in Scorpius) looked absolutely amazing to me at 19X. First time I had a WOW moment visually.
Waiting for Darkness
Just Some Slightly Concerning Weather Passing Through
Everything is buttoned up and locked down. Luckily it skirted us to the North.
Rho Region
Canon 6D @ ISO 3200
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 5.6
B312 on the Edge of Sagittarius and Scutum
Canon 6D @ ISO 3200
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 @f/4
8x240sec Exposure
M8 & M20 Nestled Among the Stars
Canon 6D @ ISO 3200
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 @ f/4
10x240sec total exposure
CSSP 2018 Milky Way
Canon 6D @ ISO 3200
Canon 17-40mm f/4 @ f/6.7 and 37mm
1 x 240 seconds
The North American Nebula And The Pelican
Canon 6D @ ISO 3200
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 @ f/4.5
10x240sec exposure
The Cave Nebula
Tak FSQ-106ED
SX-46 w/ Maxi Wheel and Lodestar OAG
AP900GTO Mount
6.5 Hours Exposure Time over two nights
The Cocoon Nebula
FSQ-106ED
SX-46 w/ Maxi Wheel and Lodestar OAG
AP900GTO
3 hours total Exposure
Nov 062016
Moved the 68″ tall pier to the observatory deck this afternoon. Progress!
I didn’t get the pier into place until after dark so no pictures. It was a chore moving the thing since it’s quite heavy and I didn’t have any help but with the tractor I was able to drag it around and lower it onto the bolts after an hour….
Nov 032016
The site has been cleared, I think I dug out 70+ stumps with the backhoe, 700 feet of electric cable buried, and almost 4,000 lbs of concrete dry mix poured for footers and the telescope pier. The deck is starting to go up and hopefully the 8″ Exploradome will be in place before the new year. After two years it’s hard to believe that I’m starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel!
Jun 192016
Site clearing is now well underway with a backhoe rental. Most of the site is now cleared and a new, more drive-able, road is in place to get to the site. Lots of clean up and grading to do but we’re getting there.
Dec 282015
We’re coming up on the end of 2015. I had high hopes of getting more finished this year but all things considered, things are moving along. It shouldn’t be too long and our new garage with workshop will be finished which will allow me to layout imaging systems somewhere other than in our bedrooms…. From there, I hope to get the Exploradome up and running in 2016 with the OGS 10″ RC and U16 acting as the workhorse imaging system.
Digging out a few large stumps
Aerial view of the observatory site. Needs a lot of cleanup.
Testing the OGS 10″ RC
Nov 212015
Observatory site prep is still moving along slowly. Pulling stumps is a long process but I’m getting there. At least the summer heat is behind me but the limited daylight is making it hard to get much done on the weekdays.
Here’s what the site is looking like. Starting to look a little more open.
Oct 132014
I am starting to pack up Campmeeting Observatory in preparation for a move to Knoxville, TN. It has only been a short 3 years that Campmeeting Observatory has been in operation but I am sure it will find a new home. For the time being, updates will be seldom as other priorities will take center stage and extensive observatory site preparation may be required.
