New Permament Pier Setup, G-11 and Vixen VC200L

Tonight is first light for my new permanent pier setup at my new home. I use a Vixen VC200L on a Losmandy G-11. The pier is a 7" diameter thick-walled steel pipe backfilled with sand for vibration dampening. You only see about half of the pipe. The other half is underground and is held in place by a 2'x2'x2' concrete base. I also ran electrical out to the pier, running the line 18" underground in conduit. I plug into an outlet on the back porch.

Next year I will start working on the observatory proper, but for now I think this will suit my needs.

The attached photo shows the setup and the view to the northwest. Those are the Eastern Sierra Nevadas in the background.

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This shot is the view to the south.

Cheers,
Jason

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Okay - so why did you pick such a crowded place (nearest neighbor must be only a mile or two away), and how do you ever see anything through all the light pollution you must have?

Very nice spot for this hobby, the spot begs for a nice large observatory!

Very cool!

Next time you folks see the Lexus commercial where the car is racing down a runway and they drop another one from a plane and it falls behind the car, that's the airport on the left background of Jason's picture where it was filmed (probably digital). You'll be able to see the same mountain peak in the background of his photo in the commercial.

Let's hope Jason doesn't get hit by any falling cars while he's working with his scope. Even better, having a rattler wrap around your leg trying to get warm on those nice cool nights.

Jason, in keeping with the desert theme I have an observatory that may fit your location.

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Here's another picture you could use for your rolloff roof. More like a blowoff roof. Joe

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