13 Things I Hate About Observatories

[@anassawallha9213]

The image of the visual astronomer killed me 😂😂😂

[@DylanODonnell]

Cough heh

[@outputcoupler7819]

re: Searching for screws that fell out, you can fix that forever with a bottle of Loctite from the hardware store. It's glue for your screws, put a tiny dab on the threads before you screw them in and they don't loosen over time, but you can still remove them (with a bit of extra force). You don't want it on stuff you're removing every day, but if it's gonna be bolted on a good long while a dab of the blue stuff keeps everything nice and snug.

[@siberx4]

Here I was expecting the whole list of 13 to be wisecracks like your last one, but you managed to provide 12 interesting points and 1 reminder that we're still on the Dylan O'Donnell channel we know and love.

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha thanks Siber :)

[@BBROPHOTO]

#11 is exactly why remote power on ports, network switches and PCs are *reaaaaaaaally* helpful. Most people don’t appreciate why expensive USB hubs are expensive until you realised they are managed ports vs your generic amazon hub. Btw Dylan, thank you so much for being one of the few chill astro guys. So many people atm seem to have a massive stick up their butt and I just need some meme culture. Your videos give me that chill and the smile needed

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks man :) I too have a huge stick up my ass but for different reasons.

[@addos999]

"just because you're working harder doesnt mean youre photo's going to be better" - love it mate, you've just described all of the older 'gatekeepers' on iceinspace :P

[@DylanODonnell]

Hahaha yep.. never mistake effort for talent :)

[@legacysearches4481]

When I'm learning I don't typically like jokes and silly stuff but I have learned so much from Dylan and have grown to appreciate his presentations! Man, I hope his son is doing better.🙌🏾

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks for putting up with me! And yes he’s doing so good. We’re all very healthy right now.

[@legacysearches4481]

@@DylanODonnell Your the man!

[@yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeat]

@@DylanODonnell good to hear!

[@douweodh4146]

@@DylanODonnell Great to hear!

[@georges.5612]

Installed an observatory two months ago. I've used a telescope more in the past two months than I have in the past two years. Best money I've ever spent in astronomy. For humidity control, I just use a mattress bag closed with a bungee cord and several large rechargeable desiccant pods (Eva-Dry Bundle) inside the bag. Within the bag containing a C11 and a Losmandy G11, the humidity stays below 25% at all times. It also protects the scope from dust. It takes less than 2 minutes to remove and I recharge the desiccant once every 2 to 3 weeks.

[@DJRonnieG]

#17 08:25 I definitely run a direct burial ehetnet cable to my rig. My Ubuquity AP's do well when using my phone to remote-in to the astro-laptop but sometimes I get intermittent signal loss if I stand directly behind the mount with my phone in hand like during polar alignment.

[@starsips]

As a Nexdome owner, I need to put one thing straight; that arrow you drew on the dome is its best feature now! I'm doing that

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha it’s actually useful huh! I glance over at it every time I’m outside !

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Dude that was an awesome video, I laughed so much!! I didn't realize how much babysitting domes needed, and I love my poor man's obsy (telegizmo 365 cover) :D Point #13 I so agree - I am in awe of people who setup night after night. Where do they get that energy???

[@craiglowery4427]

We are retired

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks Cuiv! I’m getting closer to *full* automation but on most nights I never even go outside or look at it. Which is great!

[@MrGp3po]

My observatory is a simple 12'x12' concrete slab in the backyard. I was using privacy mesh fabric and t-posts to shield light, wind, and prying eyes but because it signaled "expensive equipment outside all night" when it was up, I needed a better solution. I would love a roll-off roof observatory but I opted for a permanent 6' solid fence around the slab as the best solution for function and security. I now mount a steel pier for the season and set up is simple and fast. Half the year, I run away from the snow and sub sub freezing weather to the winter home where a private courtyard becomes the observatory. Love your videos. Always entertaining and informative. Keep it up!

[@DylanODonnell]

Sounds great!

[@necrotaur]

Great video, and while I have had a lot of the pain points you have, I agree totally with #13 - it is great having an observatory. The plusses definitely outweigh the minuses. Additionally, I can sneak in some extra hours if I know the forecast calls for rain later in the night, I can close up shop while still grabbing a few hours. Before the dome, it would have been a night I would have skipped imaging at all. Quick tip, as I had little grub screws fall off as well and ruined a night of imaging (mostly on the shutter for me). I added a dab of blue locktite to ensure the screws do not vibrate out over time. Definite peace of mind! When I have several nights without imaging I have also had battery issues where it id drained and I cannot operate the shutter. I recently added a smart outlet and used the software to turn off the shutter charger late in the morning, and turn it back on 10 minutes later. It ensures a new charge cycle as the supplied chargers don't do a maintenance charge unless it is connected or disconnected. Been doing that for about a month now and have not had a undervoltage issue with my shutter so far!!! As said in other comments, I hope your son is doing well.

[@DylanODonnell]

Great feedback .. and thanks! Yes I think I’ve killed about 6 batteries so far. In fact I ended up replacing the shutter screws with screw hooks because they’re easier to remove without tools 😆

[@ElemeStudios]

Dylan, I was fortunate to be able to run PVC underground conduits between the house and my buildings, lots of Cat6 wire, along with power and other data wires.

[@wesleydonnelly2141]

Dylan it astounds me that you haven't got 100'000+ subscribers because impo your channel is by far the most entertaining astro-channel on the inter-web! I'm often pmsl watching your vids, your sense of humour is awesome! On a more serious note, thanks for the great Observatory vid, I'm currently saving up to buy an Observatory for my front garden, which is really big. The rear gardens are ruined by Trees, Houses and other immovable obstructions. I cannot wait to get it all built and setup! Obviously I'm very aware there will be many many headaches setting it all up but it'll be worth all the effort ( and mucho-dineero! lol ) when it's all sorted. Clear Skies to you my friend! Wes, Liverpool UK ( Bortle 7, apparently. More like Bortle 99'000 with those damn white LED street lights that are literally brighter than a Supernova exploding 3 inches in front of your eye-balls!! 😵‍💫😂😂 )

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks Wesley! I think my personality is sufficiently annoying to avoid many subscribers and I’m ok with that, because the ones I have are amazing :) I think and obs in the city is still worthwhile for the planets and the narrowband !

[@wesleydonnelly2141]

@@DylanODonnell Thanks Dylan! and yes definitely worth it despite the LP because there's more than enough filters for lessening it enough for decent Astro, I've found. It would be wonderful to have dark skies though!

[@utahdesertremoteobservator8328]

Great video, as always. I operate a commercial remote observatory and most of the problems you described aren’t a factor with a good roll-off roof and on-site support staff, but it’s not cheap.

[@DylanODonnell]

I can imagine!

[@chlrsnj326]

Not in-rxpensive is right. I've looked up the cost out of courrisoity. But, it is dark at these places and I love the idea of being able of "borrowing" a scope from someone. UTDRO- I know your location well. Being a person that lived in UT for 20+ years and now is back home in AZ we are really spoiled for dark skies. ( yep, middle of nowhere town for me too. Love it here).

[@tiagosnightskies]

I completely get point #13. I'm lucky enough to live in an apartment that has a decent balcony, so while I can't have an observatory I can still have a decent semi-permanent setup if I so wish, and control everything from inside my living room (only having to go outside to mount everything and polar align). Pro tip about your WiFi: powerline internet has been such a quality-of-life improvement for me that I highly recommend it. Signal input inside, WiFi extender outside... works like a charm. Love the humor as always!

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeh Poe would be a great solution .. I’m sorted as I’ve got gigabit eth to the obs and an external wifi off that. It’s just annoying changing networks on my devices when I go outside :)

[@necrotaur]

For mine, I have GigE as well, and my observatory is just about 300ft away from my house. I ran ethernet in conduit underground to the observatory. I use a mesh access point to prevent having the switch networks, etc. for my maintenance tasks. Already had mesh since my house is mess to run wifi in since I have 2ft stone walls. Actually works really great for my phone and tablet

[@Demon-tp3bs]

I built my own little roll away 4'x6'x5' obsy for my 16" F4.5 on EQ fork mount and I love it, not something you move around or have any hope of setting up in one night without an obsy. You're great - keep your videos coming and very best wishes to the O'Donnells, thank you.

[@DylanODonnell]

Exactly .. the bigger the rig the more justified a permanent setup is. And bigger is always better ;)

[@Mark_Bloom]

I have a Nextdome so agree with everything you said! But something you forgot to say…. The joy of turning on the system with a button-press and perfectly slewing to the target since you are on a permanent mount that is perfectly aligned…. Pure bliss! I haven’t recalibrated my mount for the last 5 months or so. Sublime!

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha yeh man I went a full year once. Such a joy!

[@redabdab]

Great vid, as always Dylan. The solution to all those problems (while also avoiding setting up each night) is a Telegizmos 365. I leave mount and scope out there 24/7 and it keeps its PA from month to month. It’s been two years now. All I do is take the camera off each night. On clear nights I can be imaging within 10 mins 👍 (plus, it’s way cheaper than a dome)

[@briankotak403]

I love hauling my gear outside night after night and setting up, polar aligning, etc at -25oC! Good ole Canadian summer! Ok, maybe winter. Great vid. Dr B from Manitoba, Canada 🇨🇦

[@DylanODonnell]

Jesus that’s cold! My balls would disappear.

[@aviewfarfaraway8560]

I really miss the nostalgia of hauling up 30+ kg of gear on steep, icy steps in -30C temps to my rooftop where I do my astrophotography. Sure, the observatory is great and all, but that simplicity and life-gambling thrill I used to feel…there’s something to be said for that! Thanks Dylan, I appreciate this frank and honest assessment. It’s not all fun and games to be sure.

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha I used to love the clear winter nights but don’t miss the feeling of my brain and fingers slowly failing to function. There’s something to be said for doing the thinking and problem solving from a warm room!

[@LowBlow]

I love the lab coat. It really helps to bring the whole thing together.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks ! Every time I think about retiring it I think to myself “it just wouldn’t be the same …”

[@LowBlow]

​@@DylanODonnell I hope you were wearing it when you were on your knees for hours looking for that screw. That image can live in my mind rent free for some time to come.

[@craiglowery4427]

Very humorous as usual Dylan. I wish I had an observatory. I'm a planetary imager and I wheel out my 14" Edge HD for a week at a time when I think the weather will be good. Thank god for the Wheely Bar. If I had a dome here in Colorado, I would worry all night long how the equipment is surviving extreme cold. I do use a Telegizmos 365 cover while the rig is outside. I also have a travel rig I use when we go camping under dark skies. Perhaps you need one too. Thank you.

[@DylanODonnell]

Sounds like a good setup! I’m working on a travel rig too ;)

[@Astrolavista]

lol love the plot twist at the end. Great video, always funny and engaging. I have a cheap roll off roof shed I knocked together and love sitting in the kitchen watching the subs roll in with the ASI Air Plus.

[@DylanODonnell]

That’s the way!

[@ziebol1]

Hey Dylan! How are the cameras doing in humid conditions and high temperature amplitudes? Do you store them inside your observatory?

[@DylanODonnell]

Typically fine, however the cooling has failed on one cam so it’s off for repair !

[@gerardford1116]

Yup... #13. Built a ROR and it was a game changer. Got occasional probs with vermin though. Live on Long Island NY close to a state parkway with lots of woods so we get a lot of wildlife (Raccoons, Possums, Rabbits, Mice, Bats (yes Bats in the Summer). Get some field mice squatting from time to time (especially in the Fall). Was running a picture sequence early last summer and left the door open. Went out to check how things were going and walked in on a mother possum and her joeys relaxing and enjoying the evening. Gently scooted her out with a broom. She wasn't happy.

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha connecting with the universe in more ways than one :)

[@sciencepetr5179]

It would be worrying if there the was actual sunshine and rainbows in the observatory. Think of all that condensation! Great video as always dude.

[@Joshua-of2dp]

Great vid! Anyone know the actual slew speed of the dome for comet / Sat tracking? I would guess the motor could be easily disengaged and manually rotated?

[@seansmith908]

This could have been a video on why I got rid of my Nexdome, except the entire circumference of my dome cracked in our extreme Louisiana winter too 😂. Built a sky-shed ror, very happy! Clear skies Dylan.

[@JethroXP]

I have a SkyShed POD, and the dome cover for it, which has been 100% effective at keeping rain and snow out. For the bugs and critters, I drape one of those thin, silvery space blankets over my telescope when I'm not using it, and I keep a small fan running on the floor pointing up, and that small breeze causes enough movement in the space blanket that it seems to do a very nice job of keeping the critters away. I'm also running a dual telescope setup so the clamshell opening of the SkyShed POD works best for me, a single slit setup like the NextDome would be too narrow, but the downside is that all opening and closing of the dome is manual for me. And solid foam floor panels definitely help with random dropped screws ;-) I ran 2.5Gbps Ethernet (along with power) underground to my observatory, that allows me to do things like having captured images saved immediately to the NAS in my house. The observatory has definitely been a game changer for me. There have even been times when despite the forecast saying it would be cloudy, I do get a clear sky for an hour or two, and with the observatory always setup and ready to go, I can be capturing images in 10-minutes or less from that first realization that the skies are clear.

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeh I used a cover with the skyshed pod too! Sounds like a great setup :)

[@Microtonal_Cats]

I find little frogs in my observatory often. I live in Pacific Northwest USA, they crawl under the door. I gently evict them but they come back next time. They pee in self-defense when I pick them up. But it's not Australia so they're not lethal. Also deer poo all around outside the observatory sometimes.

[@Theodore355]

Good video as always! God bless ya!

[@1MoreMojo]

Dylan , you are a great human, thank you for sharing

[@BadYossa]

Had to pause the vid as soon as I saw The Deez galaxy. That is utterly beautiful. It's an amazing piece of work you've done there Dylan. Never knew the fecker even existed. Has to be one of the most incredible things I've seen, as far as Astro goes. It reminds me a little of the Fractal/Mandelbrot malarkey on PC, back in the late '80's and early '90's. Kudos fella. Mind blown by that image. Am faxing you a large Malt as I type. Sliante mhath

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks man! It’s a really interesting one isn’t it! I uploaded to wiki commons (public domain) so it should be there on the “interacting galaxies” or “galaxy merger” wiki pages. Often overlooked target here but very cool.

[@mashpotatomountainobserver3338]

Having a home observatory helps to work around the lies that the weather apps tell. Don't look at the weather apps just look at the sky and roll the roof back.

[@DylanODonnell]

Agree 💯

[@astro4fun]

You are very right, I have an observatory with a 3-meter dome, made by me and a good friend, and I feel identified with everything you say. One year thousands of flies nested there... Greetings and following each video of yours from Spain.👍👍

[@ryanmichaelhaley]

I am now going to check my EAF screw! I also never use Wi-Fi, I hardline that bad boy.

[@DylanODonnell]

Heh just give it a little tighten .. just in case! Even after I fixed it my backlash settings were wildly different than before so the AF settings in nina had to be reworked .. basically wasted the night heh.

[@Diocrew]

Dome world problems! Thanks for the tip on the EAF screw! I would lose mine for sure in my lawn!

[@briantheprimateastro]

I would love to do what AstroFalls is doing and have two remote telescopes set up at observatory farms in the northern and southern hemispheres. Though, one big drawback I can think of being dependent on an observatory is trying to get your telescope to thermal equilibrium like James Peach does for planetary imaging. Trying to get a large telescope to thermal equilibrium is hard, and and being around stuff that cools or warms at varying temperatures may cause issues. Of course observatory temperature controls can help get the telescope closer to ambient temperature but you have to guess what the temp in future will be. Its best just to take the telescope outside a number of hours before night fall to let things equalize.

[@izelennkhan]

You open your dome. A dropbear falls on your secondary, through the corrector plate, now lives in your C11.

[@dettie1948]

Can I ask how do you gat focus on your OAG? it looks "long" (as does my new one) been told I need a "mini camera " to go deeper into the helical focuser, you don't seem to have one?...

[@DylanODonnell]

I’ve never heard that before? The back focal distance should (I assume) be the same distance as it is to the main camera. So they sit The same distance away to achieve focus, only the OAG camera is sitting at a right angle because of the prism.

[@bk3720]

Great video! Someday I’d like to have an observatory!, with a monster sized refractor. ( I’m mainly visual). When you said freeballing the telescope, you confirmed my suspicions that the telescope wasn’t wearing any underwear! lol. Gotta love the various dialects in the English language!

[@goldfish31ful]

I built an 8' x 12' skybox out of conduit poles with tarps around it. East put up and take down. :)

[@viniguez487]

I am glad your dome protects from drop bears

[@DylanODonnell]

Just barely

[@thhall459]

Love your stuff, brother! Your friend in Slidell, Louisiana.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks brother :)

[@ShamrockBanksObservatory]

Great Video Dylan. I have the same set up and sent you an email with a couple of questions. Right now I am trying to get the dome geometry down and dealing random software and mechanical issues.

[@DylanODonnell]

Heya .. I have a video where I talk about dome geometry more specifically and share a screenshot of my settings. I ignored what *should* be in there and simply changed the numbers until it behaved. Now it’s set to 900mm from memory which makes no sense ,, but for some reasons follows the scope better than ever before.

[@ShamrockBanksObservatory]

@@DylanODonnell cool Dylan, I've been tweaking it for a weeks or so. I'll check out the video out.

[@karlswartz1308]

#3 Sudden Tropical Rainstorms, LOL! Mother Nature: "Rumble, rumble." Me: "Uh-oh, a thunderstorm rolling in, better shut down my computer." Computer: "Windows is updating, do not shut off your computer. (hourglass...)." Where do the people live who make these things?

[@DylanODonnell]

lol exactly

[@VintageBlacklist]

The battery on my shutter lasted an entire year, I went and picked up a non-lithium, changed out the charger, and it now works. However, I'm debating building a power rail system and ditching the battery all together. I also swapped out the conductive straps with some soft springs (the conductive straps will tear if you rotate the dome with the shutter closed a lot). Mechanical stuff is my jam. Cheers from Oakland Bay Observatory

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeah you sound way more capable than me :) the power rail solution sounds good. From a software point of view I wish the driver could trigger an email or push notification if it detects no incoming voltage for 18 hours.

[@VintageBlacklist]

@@DylanODonnell You would think, right?

[@philleng480]

Looking tired Dylan, take care dude - don't blame you for taking some time out (hope things are going well with your lad). Corking episode, so many funny as f**k moments for the keen eyed. Have a good one and keep suffering with the obsy, I am one step short, just have a cover - take it off, press button and go! Defo hats off to those folks doing a set up every session (admittedly thats not often in the UK) especially after a day at work and before the next Thanks again

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks mate :) not tired .. just getting old! Zen is doing really well!

[@revolting887]

the OG Max Headroom clip made me chuckle

[@DylanODonnell]

Best story ever !

[@KopLamp]

Hahaha... At "#9 I CAN'T MOVE"... The camera wanted to move ;-)

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

You are really making me want an observatory. no sarcasm

[@-Jeremiah-]

DoD, Awesome list. Elitist. :-P That ending! I’m dying. Watch out for the spiders I put …. Um, be careful. Great video man. Take care.

[@fazergazer]

They watched in awe as Dylan free-balled his 11” rig😂

[@lwizzit]

Damn you, Dylan. Dragging 40kg of equipment up two flights of stairs absolutely gives me sharper, rounder stars!

[@DSOImager]

Wait a second.. you've got an obs and 12 hours is the most integration time you've managed on a single target? Your Antenna Galaxy shot (DEEZ GALAXIES, lol) looks great.. but you should just park your scope on a target and let it run. Set it and forget it! 30 hours later... boom! Good video as always. My obs is a couple of 365 covers. Hope to get one set up in the backyard soon. CS!

[@DylanODonnell]

That’s the goal :) thanks for watching !

[@DangeeksC]

Currently building my own roll off roof observatory, it's just going to suck I can tell!

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeh don’t blame me pal 😆

[@DangeeksC]

@@DylanODonnell Oh why the hell not?

[@Oamaruastro]

Dylan! You have completely solved (I hope) an issue I was having with my own focus failing to work reliably--I had recently found a screw on the ground near my scope, though not in my observatory, which is still languishing in boxes waiting for it to be assembled, and had no idea what it was from. Turns out it was from the EAF!! Huzzah!!

[@DylanODonnell]

Amazing! I was scratching my head for so long and had to sit and watch the focusser before I realised it wasn’t engaged at all! That lead to the search on the ground. When putting it back I pulled the springy sheath as far back as possible and that’s also reduced the backlash a little too as it has less give before it winds.

[@astrofoxx_]

I have a semi permanent setup in my garden, which is assembled in a way that it is super portable. An observatory would be a dream, not having to cover the scope manually with sheets the next day to protect it, since I have everything else semi automated already. But I don't have the money and space *sigh*

[@DylanODonnell]

One day mate … one day …

[@nikaxstro]

The imaging astronomer was hilarious, The humidity in Byron must be horrific in the summer how do you protect the objective lenses from condensation and mould?

[@DylanODonnell]

Dehumidifier 24/7! And cleaning.

[@joaquinfabrega]

You observatory is next home, lets talk about maintenance and problems in my observatory which is in Northern Chile while I live in Panama, the temperature difference between summer and winter and daylight and night. By the way some of mentioned items are maintenance and others are good planning when designing the observatory, and with all mechanical and electronically equipments there are problems which is part of the hobby.

[@DJRonnieG]

It would be nice if the roof had a emergency manual close mode. Like a means of disengaging the gears and rolling it by hand then re-engaging gears. Easiset said than done..

[@TheWonkyAstronomer]

I don't have the shutter motor, so I have to go outside twice per session - once to open the shutter and once to close it. It sucks!

[@kalon9999]

Just finished Lonosham West Observatory and you release this video - how right you are! Especially #13!

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha yessir

[@andrewweller5119]

some of these are the reason i built my own. the roller roof can be back in less than two seconds. Can the dome not be mains powered? The arrows are a great idea i do it on everything :D Andy yes. the obsy life is great .

[@DylanODonnell]

Not sure on power options. I had mine wired up because cable is stable !

[@vinceveltri7732]

Dylan, while at the 2023 NEAF, I was hoping to discuss personal observatory stories, setup ideas, etc with other owners, but there wasn't that kind of forum at this show. There is CloudyNights, but it's different to be able to discuss face-to-face. Thanks for sharing your list.

[@DylanODonnell]

Agree! Hope to be back at NEAF eventually :)

[@rhkean]

OMG! I love your humor and sarcasm

[@DylanODonnell]

Cheers mate !

[@astrofalls]

Don’t tell people effort doesn’t mean better photos that’ll get their panties in a twist

[@DylanODonnell]

Forgive me father, for I have sinned.

[@trev354]

Hey Dylan, Cool, Funny and quirky as always love it :-)

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey Greg thanks mate !

[@lilithgaither9603]

"Not me, drives me bananas!" OMG thank you it NEEDED to be said! The amount of times I have been on CN (Cesspool, ik) and my question deliberately been dodged for someone to link me to their post about a DIY electronics project or some shit like that...

[@DylanODonnell]

I know right? I literally don’t care .. I just want to do astro 😆

[@anvikshiki]

Even though these indeed sound like annoying problems, I hope to have them someday! BTW, glad you enjoyed the World Chess Championship match. It was incredible this year and very much worth watching!

[@DylanODonnell]

What a match hey! I was on the edge of my seat.

[@Paul_AstroEsthetics_]

I also enjoy when a friendly tarantula or scorpion shows its fugly face. One thing the army taught me.... Kill everything with fire....

[@antipodesastro667]

Hey Dylan. Great video! As you know I’m still relatively new to this but 100% agree with #13. Despite still nutting out geometry etc I’m now getting more data than ever. Love my Nexdome. Best wishes to you and your family 😊

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey congratulations and good to hear !

[@marinaamgad5781]

Dylan at the beginning of the video: you guys are the hardcore astronomers Dylan at the end of the video: effort does not your astrophoto better 😂😂 Great video man! 😂

[@DylanODonnell]

Te he .. thanks Marina !

[@Megavoltamper]

I thought, that I'll observe more if I'll have my observatory. And I do observe more during the night, but I am too lazy to switch scopes for solar observation or remove the camera to do planetary or visual, because I don't have the mood to retake flats or fiddling with the camera rotation over and over again. I even don't want to go out to the observatory to unplug a cable, so I am currently working on a remote controllable power distribution box, that can turn on and off the peripherals of the scope and stuff like that.

[@DylanODonnell]

Nice! I can remotely power up / down stuff ok no problem. But very rarely a device simply wants to be plugged in again. It makes no sense .. but that’s windows :)

[@edmizzimizzi]

Dylan, Enjoyed this video, thanks. But you are very lucky regarding the point about having to go outside periodically. Next time you do, think of me and others who live in areas where the temps. can be well below 0 C in winter. We have to get all dressed up in warm parkas, gloves and hats every time we go out. And then take our gloves off to deal with issues while we freeze. Ed, from Waterdown, Ontario

[@DylanODonnell]

Oh man, brutal !

[@BigBadLoneWolf]

I'm new to astrophotography, and I live in an apartment, so I have no option, but to travel. I can set up in 10 minutes, and polar align in 10 minutes. I made quite a few mistakes along the way, which I learned from. Having the option to have an observatory would be great, but I don't resent those than can have one, or set up in their own back garden

[@DylanODonnell]

Portable astro has some amazing advantages! I should do it more.

[@PaulStewartNZ]

If a drop bear lands in the observatory then you are screwed 😂

[@DylanODonnell]

Comes with the job!

[@Doctoberfest]

Also check out the anti spider stuff boaters use. My buddy's sail boat was constantly in a web There's also a hikers solution called permethrin, stuff is really nasty though so be careful and naturally do some research

[@lttnono2379]

Wow now that's some visual observatory 🥲

[@DylanODonnell]

Haaaaa

[@knightclan4]

Man. I really hate aggressive spiders. Remember Arachnophobia

[@BrotherAlan]

Doesn't Australia have those giant plate sized spiders? Ever get one of those in your observatory?

[@DylanODonnell]

Yes .. mostly in the house but they’re harmless.

[@Korvash1]

Pegasus powerbox ... you could unplug cabels from inside 😅

[@HockeyHomeBrewski]

Hey Dylan! Congrats on the new king, don’t forget to bow 🙇🏻‍♂️ when he does the Aussie victory tour and pledge fealty! lol joking of course. 😂🇦🇺 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 ⭐️ 🔭 maybe you could incorporate some coronation humor on the next vid.

[@DylanODonnell]

I assume you mean king DING LIREN! I pledge my allegiance. :)

[@ntaylorblanchard]

I'd just like to have a back yard so I don't have to drive to a site every time I want to image.

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeh it helps!

[@tommccrorie8022]

Niiiiice n deep. Nice n deep.

[@johnalexandermcbryde9788]

Got a portable observatory, my dads f#kin huge umbrella and a big jacket.

[@gregwing6409]

Thanks Dylan! I am a visual amateur astronomer and now I know I never want an observatory even after lusting for one for 50 years. Cheers-Greg

[@DylanODonnell]

Hehe glad to be of assistance !

[@johngrubb007]

Aaah yes. Australia. Everything that creeps, crawls, or slithers wants to kill you.

[@michael.a.covington]

When I saw the title, the first thing I thought of was vermin. And it's the first thing you thought of too. Even worse in Australia than here in the southern United States.

[@DylanODonnell]

I’m lucky here the native wildlife are more prevalent over the English vermin.

[@snoopy4ever]

good one !!!! 🤣!!... I can tell you 13K things I hate about astrophotography outside in the field .. but at the end I could tell you yes .. even if I had an observatory,, there will be a couple or more things I would miss aobut the field ..... we like to suffer .... clear skies.

[@kevinburke8608]

I've always wanted to go to Australia. Other than being on the other side of the world (I'm in New Hampshire), the only other thing that worries/terrifies me is your bugs and animals. The most dangerous things we have here are moose and black bears. They really aren't a problem. I want to build an observatory someday... I can be imaging with my C9.25 in about 45 minutes if I'm rushing, but it's getting old. I switched to the Telrad as a finder because I have to set up and I think it's better for the space station (yes, I'm commenting as I watch... for the algorithm)..

[@DylanODonnell]

Bears sound like a bigger problem than bugs to me! 😆

[@kevinburke8608]

@@DylanODonnell lol, I've only seen two, and each time they run like hell from you. It's the friendly ones that would be an issue. The funny thing is that moose are more dangerous when they are in rut. Too much testosterone. Events are really rare to nonexistent. I saw a special on one of your ants. An ant that jumps and stings! It was like WTF. Don't get me going on your spiders.

[@banyantree8618]

Why did I get into a hobby predicated on the need for a clear sky when I live in a location that is a cloud magnet !

[@DylanODonnell]

Last 18 months has been terrible too!

[@MobilMobil-kv5ke]

The one thing I hate about observatories… I don’t have one!!!

[@astrowa4386]

Yep. After years of nightly polar alignments, I built an observatory - the dome came from Sirius in Queensland. It is a beast - the best of all the domes, and my life is one ... long .... glass. 🙂 What do I hate about observatories? Too much time to drink cabernet ...🥴

[@DylanODonnell]

Amen brother 🍷

[@christoddheartogold]

You really need to put the final reason at the front! Making us watch through 12 reasons not to setup an observatory, only to finally give us a good reason, likely reduces your page views, LOL. Great video, though, and thanks for educating me on what to expect as I build my own observatory!

[@Lasserubinskov]

You bastard. Now I want an observatory even more.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hahaha

[@Aerostar509]

I love my ROR!

[@chlrsnj326]

Living the Gypsy Lifestyle with a mobile rig myself. hahaha

[@DylanODonnell]

That’s a dream too :)

[@zenongg]

Good one my father

[@DylanODonnell]

Thank you my son