Posts Made By: Mark Clegg

Hello, I am new to the group, but did a few years ago build a roll-top observatory here at my home in central N.C. I have attached several photos of the observatory, I designed it in Autocad, I have been using it for 9 years now.

The design allows the top to sit down on the walls and seal itself from the weather when not in use. All that's required to prep the observatory for use is to inflate the pneumatic (12") tires with a portable air compressor, the steel frame is raised approx. 1.5 inches when inflated, grab the handle on the front side and roll it off. I also have a drive system that I added later for removal the lazy way. The equipment is always at ambient temperature, so cool down time is minimal.

Mark Clegg

Hello,

Here is another picture from a different angle

Mark Clegg

Hello,

Here is another picture from a different angle

Mark Clegg

Hello,

Here is another picture from inside. Size of observing room is 10' X 14', Control room is 6'X 6'

Mark Clegg

Bill,

Yes.... I did observe after using the Toucam 840 and this is the type of image I saw on the 27th, I was using a Baader binoviewer with both U.O. optics orthos and TMB Monocentrics. The color and contrast are great. At times of very steady seeing, the detail is incredible...much sharper than the image provided shows.... hard to pull away from the eyepiece(s).

When processing, I never go to the extreme and display an image that is better than what I see at the eyepiece. What you see is very very close to the image that would be seen if actually looking through the scope. I believe that is the only way to allow individuals to get a true glimpse of how a particular scope can perform.

I am looking forward to some steadier seeing in the near future, hope to get more images out there soon.

Mark

Edward,

Excellent image and good color...very natural appearance.

Mark Clegg
Pittsboro, N.C.

John,

I just checked at a local retailer here in N.C. (Southeastern Skies, located in Raleigh, NC) which is a great little store in Raleigh which normally has tons of stock. I just called them and verified that they have (3) 22mm Panoptics in stock.. $285.00 each.. See the path attached.

http://www.setelescope.com/televuepanoptic-2.aspx

Mark Clegg
Pittsboro, N.C.

Fantastic..........

Mark Clegg

Hi Peter,

It's really hard to beat the University Optics Orthos.. best bang for the buck without question in my opinion.

Mark Clegg

Michael,

I have used a binoviewer for almost 10 years now, and I do not plan to go back to a single eyepiece view. It's a great way to observe the heavens.

Have you ever looked through a pair of binoculars and the field of view seemed to overlap or be out of collimation?

Indexed or matched eyepieces do make a difference when observing.. I have seen field stop diameter differences in the past, which in my eyes makes the binoviewer itself appear slightly out of collimation.

The way I determine if two eyepieces have identical field stop sizes is to place the moon in the FOV, and slew the view on a driven mount (I use an AP1200) to show a prominent crater in the FOV (half in and half out) at say the three o'clock position.

If you look through the right side eyepiece only, the crater should maintain that position, then look through the left side eyepiece and the same should be true. Many times, the crater will be shifted slightly in the view from one eyepiece to another..If the view is good at the three o'clock position, I also repeat this check at the 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions as well.

It is my experience that perfectly aligned and matched field stops will show no changes in the view when placing a crater half in / half out.. whether the positioning at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions.. or anywhere else in between.

I have also found that simply rotating one eyepiece or the other while viewing with both eyes will assist in the process of matching or finding that sweet spot..

Mark Clegg