Inside Grande Pines Observatory: Top-of-the-line amateur astronomy

A look inside Grande Pines Observatory! This observatory has featured in multiple timelapses, appearing in my channel trailer, the Barn Door tracker video, and the Polaris Timelapse video, but I've never actually done a video about the observatory and all of the awesome equipment inside, so here it is! Grande Pines Observatory is operated by my dad (the astronomer). He is also the presenter in this video. I got to have fun shooting somebody else's project this time! Hope you enjoy!
The gallery of images at the end of the video were taken in this observatory, some with the old 10" f/4.0 Newtonian telescope that the telescope featured here replaced.
Music and stuff used:
I Dunno by grapes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
ccmixter.org/files/grapes/16626
Comfortable Mystery 2 - Film Noire by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Ether by Silent Partner
Creative Commons
Simulation of a bahtinov mask diffraction pattern when focusing
Niels Noordhoek
Creative Commons Attribution

[@SkyShedPODTeam]

Hey Guys! You forgot to mention it's SkyShed Roll Off and SkyShed Telescope Pier! Or did I miss that part? Our team spent years designing those things and we always appreciate a shout out. CS!

[@St.IrenaeusOfLyons]

What permitting requirements do most towns have on such an observatory?

[@technikchaot]

@@St.IrenaeusOfLyons if you are allowed to have a shed in your backyard at this position you are allowed to build this.

[@kishascape]

@@St.IrenaeusOfLyons none. They cannot control you.

[@kishascape]

Shut the hell up skyshed. You can just mention it in the comment without being a passive agressive d*ckhead.

[@fernandoschuindt1665]

I'm back here again. Almost two years ago I saw this video, your dad kinda got me into this hobby. I just discovered a new world. Today I own here some scopes and cameras and I'm planning to build a home for them, just like your dad did. Thank you two.

[@AlphaPhoenixChannel]

That’s fantastic! Best of luck with the observatory and thanks so much for leaving a comment! I’m about to forward this to my dad and I know he’ll be excited

[@astrophotonics9470]

Confirming you have the coolest Father. wow

[@edpra7068]

He's cool that's for sure. He's also a seriously smart dude.

[@hairyfro]

Amazing... You have an awesome dad.

[@Sunscorched]

This is a cracking set-up, marra. Your dad did himself bloody proud!

[@ivx8345]

Cool son, cool dad! Greetings from the Netherlands

[@profpb]

I've built telescopes and bought them, and been an VIP astronomer in the N.P. system. I'm now deep into photography and videos. You left me in the dark. Fantastic equipment and the videos are beyond belief.

[@dave_in_florida]

One of the best produced and explained videos I have seen. Great explanation of complex subjects!!

[@hollnagelc]

Wow! I love the observatory and the gear. 👍🏻

[@dgodiex]

I remember watching this video multiple times a few years ago, in awe to your dad's equipment and knowledge while I was starting in astrophotography. Your channel was still really small, even though you put so much effort and data into your work, it was great to come across one fo your recent videos and see how much the channel has grown. Congrats man!

[@IPATCH]

This is a very informative video for a starting out amateur such as myself. I want to eventually build an observatory such as Grande Pines. The tips offered in this video have answered some of my questions. I have subscribed and will be watching. Your dad is awesome! Thank you for posting. Happy stargazing!!!

[@Gitarzan66]

Wow that is one cool set up! The rolling shed roof is brilliant! Great video. Instant sub!

[@andychess]

Great video. Thanks to you and your dad for sharing your observatory with us:-).

[@lnewton46]

Holy cow... I grew up just down the road from you guys. My dad lived right beside the race track. Super setup...

[@robertbauer1189]

Very informative, very clear. Thank you for this overview.

[@JorgeDavalosBravo]

¡Awesome equipment!

[@ljesus67]

An Amazing video!!! Excellent instalation!!!

[@canofanger]

Wow - love NC and that looks like a heavenly observatory.

[@veizour]

That's awesome! Thanks to you and your dad for the walkthrough (I'm 3 years too late)

[@jaspalchadha111]

Good work dad

[@donaldmartin7109]

EXCELLENT VIDEO. THANK YOU.

[@TK-th9vu]

Your Dad is Awesome at explaining things. It's obvious that his mind is clear and sharp. I wish he was my neighbor.

[@gmalekhine1395]

Amazing Observatory! I really like it and especially the land in which is located on!

[@tchallalemou5307]

Best explanation of Astrophotography. Well done Sir.

[@electricengineer624]

amazing set up ,waw,wish i had one

[@WetaMantis]

Your father is badass and has the most awesome setup you could imagine. I'm so jealous ;)

[@jacobcorr337]

Upload more videos! Your content is awesome

[@woody5109]

Very cool, great stuff.

[@chazwozza67]

Fantastic setup

[@joedirt2862]

Watching this made me pull my old Celestron8 out and dialed in. Great video , amazing set up.

[@jefflucas_life]

Thank you for the overview, I hope to see your images, wow, nice setup! So glad you do manual focus!

[@AlphaPhoenixChannel]

Glad you like the video! The montage of shots at the end were lightly-processed pictures from the same observatory (old scope). He actually just got a new camera (mono w/ filter wheel) so I’ll eventually be filming another video focusing on imaging and the basic math behind processing and stacking! Right now he’s working on a better Running Man image, but unfortunately I’m leaving right around the full moon, so I won’t get to see the imaging!

[@mikeyoung9810]

Enjoyed that. Great explanations for folks like me that know very little about telescopes. Thanks.

[@tiago6206]

I'd love more videos from Grande Pines Observatory!

[@RSTI191]

Excellent video along with equipment...

[@milhousevanhouten5642]

Wow, impressing setup, brillant presentation. Greeting from Germany

[@RaysAstrophotography]

Very well done - dad & son

[@jakexd5524]

That must have been very expensive

[@antcorke4485]

I’m just in the process of researching observatory options. I like this set-up.

[@OttertheSkysplitter]

Great video.

[@Jefff72]

Now that is one serious toy. We just found the winner of the coolest Dad Award.

[@Short_Trip_With_Me]

Cool telescope. Very cool. I dream of such an observatory. 👍

[@jloren4647]

This man does not mess around

[@michaelaldan4354]

I too want to retire and buy a Serrurier RC scope...damn...mouthwatering setup...well filmed and very nice pics !

[@JulianMakes]

What an awesome dad!

[@Bigmonkey34mn]

Very cool setup.

[@astroinceptor]

Wow amazing

[@taskforceripper91]

Awesome!

[@danielramirezcruz.2209]

Great telescope I love it great video thanks....

[@sebas_ruel]

Cool setup. Love the garage rails for the roof. Do you have samples images of the RC on astrobin?

[@dannybolick4783]

Cool, local NC native also. Love the scope.

[@MetaView7]

That's impressive !

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Cool setup! FWIW: I live in N.E. NC, but I had to look up Grand Pines - that was a new one for me....

[@StevenParrisWard]

Many thanks.

[@bendover-yr4oq]

This was a Damn good video I really enjoyed it even know I am a little late..🙏🏽

[@JohnS916]

Thanks for the guided tour, the set up makes me jealous as I spend an hour setting up with a portable backyard rig every time I want to do some imaging. I think this is the biggest motivator to find a way to build a backyard observatory. That is just one of several reasons why I want one, my yard is too small with neighbor's fast-growing trees blocking some of my views and I am right next door to a major light dome as well. I hope to be moving in 2019.

[@xBINARYGODx]

did you ever get to move, and was it to a place better for your hobbie?

[@juandavidbarrada]

Amazing! Please say thanks to your dad! He has a dream observatory! Hopefully, one day mine will be like that!

[@pankajchauhan506]

Wow.....knowledgeable........I enjoyed the video....🙏👌8: 45 👍👌

[@skywatcherca]

Sir, great video - wonderful equipment - great observatory. I have a question please - does the auto guider telescope have to be a refractor or could it be an SCT reflector? Thanks again for sharing this video: lots of great ideas for anyone wishing to build a PROFESSIONAL home observatory.

[@rdelozier1]

Good job. Thx.

[@Nottsboy24]

Great observatory 👍:)

[@jacquechanny945]

Notts boy24 Postman Buy Celestron Telescope NexStars From Birthday CHILLDREN Celestron Shop Man Ask Postman Birthday CHILLDREN SOUTHMINSTER School Caravan.Cm0 ENGLAND

[@erickschusterdeoliveira2662]

just found your channel through a Reddit comment, and this is straight up awesome.

[@AlphaPhoenixChannel]

Thanks! Glad you made it here!

[@skywatcher8341]

Beautiful Equipment and great observatory: would you please consider making a detailed video on the construction of the observatory. I am looking to build an observatory similar to your own and I'd like to know how many garage door wheels should be used, and other construction details. Thank you.

[@prabhakarv4193]

Very nice

[@0815mkl]

The sample image at 03:32 is it the running man nebula? Thanks for sharing, this is a hack of an amateur observatory. Very well presented.

[@clintkennedy8374]

The coolest of dads right there, lucky son haha

[@ryanpmcguire]

good shit my dude. rn i'm building an automatic telescope that tracks both alt / az. i had to write a bunch of software to control it properly. tbh like ur dad said only one axis tracking would be simpler but i had to make the mount fit in a car.

[@DannyOvox3]

awesome

[@kevinfrederick5013]

Nice setup

[@bunya303]

Inspiring.

[@laurelleaf4740]

Can I visit you someday? i love your set up, particularly the retractable roof. That is awesome.

[@Ed-jk1mg]

damn, that was interesting to watch! I really like the youtube plate you have in the background :D

[@AlphaPhoenixChannel]

Glad you liked it! I recently updated to a 2^12 play button that's only 12 microns across kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYO4gXWcnbyJadE

[@Ed-jk1mg]

@@AlphaPhoenixChannel wow, what an amazing idea. Subscribed!

[@matthewkendall5235]

Very nice set up guys! If you don't mind I would love to ask you three questions: With that sort of OTA does your guiding have to worry about mirror shift or flop or any differential flexure? Great that you can get away with a piggy backed guide scope versus going on or off axis guiding (ONAG or OAG). What software suites do you use for mount and camera control? It looks like you use PHD2 for guiding (single not multi star option) but are us you using The SkyX / N.i.N.A. / SGP / Maxim DL / Nebulosity / SharpPro / ACP etc for mount and camera control? Lastly for image Processing did you go Deep Sky Stacker + Photoshop, MaximDL, Nebulosity / Astro Pixel Processor / Pixel Insight and why did you land on that particular option?

[@carlos21626]

I like!

[@waynegore176]

my mouth was open the whole time with amazment

[@BillJobs01]

Your dad is awesome

[@fiddle1999]

I have no idea what your father said, but it was super cool lol

[@2012truth1776]

This is astronomical porn for me ! 😁 Really enjoy the video, and what a tremendous set up CHEERS to the both if you !!!

[@michaelaldan4354]

agreed agreed...hotdamn what a setup

[@HHolmgaard]

nice setup

[@bgm-1961]

Am always curios about open telescope designs such as that... (I'm new to the hobby with a Celestron NexStar 11)... How do you keep the primary mirror clean?

[@burtpanzer]

Apparently, right at the edge between light and dark on the lunar surface is where one can more easily observe interesting details. With this set-up, you have the best opportunity... if you want to see something exciting, forget Nebulas.

[@roccoraw7750]

Greetings from Chile!

[@fnersch3367]

Your diagram indicates a Gregorian RC configuration. Must have a primary of about f/2. This is the first time for me to see one of these. They were common in the 18th C. Interesting.

[@rishabhathreya5376]

Hello guys! Amazing observatory and telescope! I was wondering if you knew where to get those awesome mirrors, since I am in the process of building a telescope myself. And also, do you know what would be an ideal material to use as the "wall" (cylinder part) of the telescope? Thanks!

[@mar504]

Sonotube

[@roberthambleton6912]

I enjoyed seeing the equipment, and the observatory ... great video! What are the dimensions of your observatory building (width and length)? Thank you.

[@roberthambleton6912]

I watched the video again and realized the size of 8' by 10' was stated at the beginning. My apologies.

[@ManishFrenchStudio]

Superb telescope 🔭❤️, amazing video thank you for sharing 🙏🎁🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@keeplookingup911]

I wish i had this telescope. It would be so cool to watch deep space objects 🔭

[@worldwideflyby]

Is that tape holding the counterweights on?

[@khaleddueik9455]

Where did u get that mount and telescope?

[@AlphaPhoenixChannel]

I think they were all purchased from different sources. Some stuff like this can come from reasonably local distributors, ie. In-state, but there’s also loads of online sellers. In some cases for telescopes, the same optics can be put in different assemblies by different brands for different prices.

[@szaki]

What's the size of the new scope or i missed something?

[@Booboobear-eo4es]

At 2:45 he states that the telescope is a 14 inch Ritchey-Chretien design.

[@humphrey4976]

Shed goals

[@AB-tw5xb]

Have you had the opportunity to film the ISS, and would the tracking motors be able to fallow at the speed? very nice setup.

[@dioszegizoltan4493]

The ISS moves very fast , much faster then the motors can track . The motors were designed to track stars that move across the sky in hours , the ISS moves across the sky in minutes

[@WetaMantis]

2:45 Newton (Dobson mount) vs Ritchey-Chrétien

[@whelanky]

This observatory is so legit

[@oupwo7468]

hello, where did you buy such a fabric cover for your RC OTA? I am looking into buying one but i have struggles to find it. EDIT : I think I found it. It is simply called a "Shroud"

[@christheone248]

I would love to know what this beast sets you back! This must be expensive!

[@tubedude54]

How do these scopes like that RC work for visual use? I know they have a larger than normal secondary mirror for photographic use but I would also want to use it visually. Are the images it produces suitable or is there too much vignetting?

[@AlphaPhoenixChannel]

I would expect it's fine for visual use, but the camera lives attached to this one so that it doesn't need to be recalibrated every time. The flat field it makes with the double-hyperbolic mirror setup helps with extra-large camera sensors, but I don't know if you'd notice a difference or not with your eye.

[@dgodiex]

Actually it's not recommended for visual use. Read the description here: www.highpointscientific.com/gso-14inch-rc-ritchey-chretien-truss-tube-telescope-14rct

[@Astrotesh]

What is the name of your telescope?

[@fklucid5097]

What bortle scale is this located in?

[@misterysmithers8566]

What about winter? I saw no insulation in the shed walls, do you leave it there anyway?

[@AlphaPhoenixChannel]

It doesn't get very cold for very long in North Carolina so keeping the equipment warm isn't a huge concern - He's actually considering insulating the roof to try to keep it cooler in the summer!

[@eamonia]

Cool. One day...