Eagle Butte Observatory
I really need to build a real observatory
Location Secure
This really is the best place on the property to build!!!
Ground Breaking May 11, 2017
Hole 7 feet deep 2 feet wide
Now the neighbours are talking..what is he building??!
A lot of Concrete
Thats a lot of concrete 32'x16' building plus 8'x16' observing pad
The 14′ LX850 has arrived!!
Assembly Time
Aaron Dittrich is actually enjoying this! I am So happy he is here to help me with this.
New Telescopes
These are the telescopes for the new observatory:- 14" LX850 Meade
- 10" Orion Dob
- 152mm Explore Scientific AC refractor
- Observatory sits at the back of our 3.25 acre property
- Unlike many who build their own observatories, I have no (less than zero) ability to do this so I hired the best company in town to help me.
- In the observatory pit looking toward the control room
The control room is insulated but the observatory pit is not
- The pier is separated from the rest of the building by a styrofoam barrier
- I wanted the observatory roof to disappear under the control room roof...not an easy engineering feat
- The inside track is to stabilize in the wind with the heavy wheels on the other side of the beam to move the roof
- Easy access from the observing pit to the observing deck
- The observatory has both heat and air-conditioning for comfort in all Canadian seasons
- I love the colour of the pier! It matches the Meade mount. The floor is tiled with rubber mat to help in case of dropped equipment
- Paving around the property will ensure ease of access to the observatory
- Finished August 9, 2017! Now just a few details inside and I am ready to go...
- Aaron and I (with our wives) went to Wieser Idaho for the eclipse. This shot is with my 80mm apo
- Andy and his sons along with Ed, helped mount the LX 850 on the pier...so good to have such knowledgable help!! Big thank you to all!!
- The 80mm apo is mounted above the LX850 and is dwarfed by the monster.
- The control room holds 20 people for presentations
