Posts Made By: Rick Bartolomeo

Well I got the walls up this weekend with the help of my Entire family!!! Those walls get heavy once they are all built up. But they are up and super sturdy and super level. I am getting more and more excited as I do this. Check out the new pics at http://bella-luna-observatory.spaces.live.com/. There is even some funny pics of my horse checking out the observatory.

Let me know what you guys think so far and by the way, Wood prices are down. all the wood for the walls was only $180.00, Which I dont think is too bad.

Rick

Ok guys sorry for the delay but money has been tight and weather has been ugly. So this weekend was the first good weekend to make some headway. so check it out and let me know what you think. http://bella-luna-observatroy.spaces.live.com/

Rick

I have an LX200 GPS 10" and I would like to know the same thing. The thing that confuses me is all the different kinds of CCD cameras out there is there a big difference. I know some have a guiding chip and others do not but what about quality. And please put it in lamens terms so my simple mind can understand it. Thanks.

Rick

BTW this was taken with fuji color superia xtra 400 asa film

And would something like this be good to start out with or is this way too old and would cause me too much trouble and not give me very good results? http://cgi.ebay.com/Meade-CCD-Imaging-System-Telescope-Camera-Digital-Pics_W0QQitemZ290067350720QQihZ019QQcategoryZ74926QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Its basically a Meade 416 and 201 guider package

OK here is what i bought thanks to all of you guys who took the time to guide me in the right direction. Someone named Alec but signed the post Keith sugested that i get a MX716 Starlight Express. After doing some research and price comparing that is exactly what i bought. I bought it from a fellow Astromarter for only $500.00 and that price included the STar2000 guider. Very reasonable in mt opinion.

It appears to be fairly simple to use with the right software ( someone sugested that i get Astroart and i will if i can find it pretty cheap or someone who doesnt want theirs anymore)

Anyway i just wanted to thanks everyone who gave me their expert opinion. But understand you guys arent off the hook yet. I will continue needing your expert advice for quite some time to come.

Dark and Clear Skys forever!!!!

Rick

Well i got the floor all layed out. Next i start working on the walls. Check out the new pics at http://bella-luna-observatory.spaces.live.com/ . Just so you know I am using the skyshed plans and they are very good plans so far. I changed them a little bit. Here is how so far in case you guys are looking at these plans.

1. the side board for the floor called for 1x4's i used 2x4's

2. The plans call for 1x10x12's for the flooring. I used 3/4 inch tongue and groove OSB plywood.

That is all the changes so far. Let me know what you guys think of it so far and please feel free to ask any questions. I know i had a lot before i started.

Rick