Private Turn-Key Observatory Build With a PlaneWave CDK700

[@ultrametric9317]

You're livin' large when an AP Baccardi-Honders is your SIDE scope! :)

[@SeaWestObservatories]

@@ultrametric9317 ya the client has some great unique telescopes!

[@sirrednexx1262]

Million dollar set up....zooms straight to Saturn ;)

[@OSCOCAT]

Equilibrated. Learned a new word today!

[@MattDieterich]

Thanks for watching!

[@Void_X_Infinity]

This is awesome, this will probably beat my SeeStar S50 😂

[@geek42973]

Great job. It's incredible what have you done. Respect from Paris - France😉

[@SeaWestObservatories]

Thanks for watching from France! Merci!

[@reedestrada3611]

I’m working with folks from Planewave this week at Mt Wislon CA on a new project to improve the science capability of the 100 inch Hooker telescope. 1st engineering run Tuesday.

[@SeaWestObservatories]

Excellent! We do a lot of work up on Mount Wilson. We installed the CHARA Array and also their latest optical fiber mobile observatory that incorporates a PW 1-meter.

[@reedestrada3611]

@ yes we toured that telescope in June with Dave Rowe and the CHARA folks.

[@ralf9240]

fantastic Teleskop!!!! Planewave is the best in the world!!!

[@SeaWestObservatories]

They're incredible telescopes to work with!

[@kevinroylancephotography9437]

"Astrophotography can make you a millionaire...if you're a billionaire"

[@shlokshrivastav]

Why can’t i find a single youtube video showing me the sample photos taken on planewanve cdk 700

[@Zealor365]

Million dollar build...Give or Take.

[@SeaWestObservatories]

You're right there! With the ipe wood deck, Ash 16' dome, PlaneWave CDK700 and full observatory automation package that is around the price for this build.

[@justanopinion7029]

@@SeaWestObservatories pls can we get some footage of comet atlas a3?..Its here now wanna see how it looks through this beast.....pls

[@SeaWestObservatories]

We've been photographing the comet with this system. Our employee Matt Dieterich will be sharing some of those photos on his Instagram at www.Instagram.com/MattDieterich

[@addos999]

@@SeaWestObservatories with site prep, lots of other little bits like the air con units and routing, plus all the equipment costs (the planewave take of the budget must be close to 400k?) and the hours you guys spend setting it up - a million is actually pretty solid value!

[@SeaWestObservatories]

@@addos999 ya the PlaneWave CDK700 alone with our full our full observatory automation system, Moravian cameras, filters, and other accessories took up more than 400k. We did all the site infrastructure work to prepare for the concrete foundation and framing of the Ash Dome cylinder wall kit.

[@russha5891]

Wow, just wow, as Bogart would say "the stuff dreams are made of"

[@SeaWestObservatories]

@@russha5891 this was such a fun observatory project for our team!

[@JohnScherer]

This.. this is what I would spend money on if i had made better life choices ;-). No fancy car, no planes, don’t need a big house, just a nice small place under bortle 1 sky’s with this setup next to the house. Sure my days and nights would be mixed up but it would be so worth it.

[@SeaWestObservatories]

We agree! Hard to beat stargazing at an observatory under dark skies!

[@AndyofAstro]

Is that an alt az fork? How does this compensate for field rotation when doing astrophotography? Thanks

[@SeaWestObservatories]

Thanks for watching Andy. Yes we have a field derotator on both the CDK700 telescope and also the AP305mm, so each can capture long exposure astrophotographs.

[@WeatherWars]

I want one!!

[@SeaWestObservatories]

We'd love to build it for you!

[@WeatherWars]

@@SeaWestObservatories It won’t be too many more weeks and you’ll get a DM.

[@SeaWestObservatories]

@@WeatherWars Happy to help answer your observatory questions! You can email us at [e-mail]

[@rowanprangley]

Hey guys, what brand is the All Sky camera? Is it an Alcor? Gorgeous setup - very impressive indeed!

[@SeaWestObservatories]

@@rowanprangley thanks for watching! Yes we have been using Alcor all sky cameras lately. Their ethernet interface is great for long cable runs compared to off the shelf all sky's that connect via USB.

[@rowanprangley]

@@SeaWestObservatories Thank you so much!

[@snoopy4ever]

Amazing observatory!!.. Matt is the Best!.... .. one question Guys!!.. Would love to know.. this set up uses alt-azimuth mount , is there a field rotator for long exposure on the Moravian Camera?... just wondering. Thanks! and Congrats!!!

[@SeaWestObservatories]

Thanks for watching! You are correct about the field derotator. We install rotators on the PlaneWave to allow for pinpoint stars during long exposures.

[@TheNewForestObservatory]

Just go to 4 mins - you're welcome.

[@larrymansfield9393]

Wow!

[@SeaWestObservatories]

Thanks for watching!

[@woody5109]

My wife wants a new motor home, I want this.

[@SeaWestObservatories]

Why not go for both?!

[@tim71pos]

Doh! Forgot to buy Pentax XWs

[@StarPicturesMiami]

I wonder if I can do this for my Seestar. he, he, he

[@pompeymonkey3271]

Is that all really sitting on top of a four bolt bird's nest?

[@SeaWestObservatories]

To mate the PlaneWave CDK700 we concrete anchor in threaded rod with epoxy to properly level and secure the telescope to the pier via 3/4" rod.

[@ApoorvaIyer]

Is 3/4 enough to reduce the chances of deformation on the threaded rod with a payload that heavy?

[@SeaWestObservatories]

@@ApoorvaIyer the load of the alt/az telescope is nearly all vertical, so the 3/4" rod is ample for supporting the approximately 1,200 lb load of the PlaneWave CDK700.

[@pompeymonkey3271]

@@SeaWestObservatories It still "looks" janky for a telescope that probably costs in the region of $300,000. lol

[@SeaWestObservatories]

@@pompeymonkey3271 it's not janky at all and this is how the manufacturer specifies installation 😍

[@mostlymessingabout]

definitely a rich man's game... I'm out

[@durranaik]

too much facial talk and too little visual details, sorry no uptick