Saltwater Witch Micro-Observatory Project

[@BigDuke6ixx]

This has been on my mind for a while, so today I typed 'micro remote observatory' and found this. Thanks very much.

[@Big.Ron1]

I find it interesting that you wont operate at temps in the 80s. Here where I live, in the summer months it is common to have morning low temps at or above 90. This means running with temp in the 100+ range in the evening and sometimes well after midnight. And that will be with dew points in the 60s. Here in the desert you have no choice but to run your gear in high temps and a lot of people do. This is a novel idea you have. I will follow this to see how it works. Thank you. Be safe.

[@nickshepro8454]

You were easy to listen to and I had no problem following along with you. Great video.

[@livedeepskywatcher380]

Smart observatory :)

[@stephane153]

At 4:50 in the video, with the scope in that position where does the top of the open box seats please? It is level with the RA black box?

[@ChrisHoward]

The top of the RA box is slightly below, but close to being even with the top of the box.

[@stephane153]

@@ChrisHoward thanks for the info, I'll send you some pics of my new box soon. All aluminium...

[@stephane153]

Hello Chris, in your blog entry "my-backyard-astro-setup-summer-2021" I read: 'The micro-observatory project is on hold until I can buy a replacement for the CEM25P mount.'. What happened to the mount? Would you not get the latest version of it?

[@ChrisHoward]

It started binding on the RA axis, making noises and jumping. It could be the belt, but I haven't had time to do more than remove the cover and take a quick look. I'm actually looking at iOptron's new GEM 28, which is now back in stock and only a few hundred dollars more.

[@stephane153]

@@ChrisHoward thanks for the update, I bought my brand new CEM25p roughly after it got discontinued (I did find a seller in Germany). Shortly after that, their new models came out... typical... lol

[@HelberPontes]

Chris, thank you for the great idea. I'm using the same SKB box with my M-Zero Avalon mount and scope TS 86mm f/5.4 Quadruplet, there the space is just perfect, but it's impossible to place the automated cap for the scope. I'm afraid of the heating and I need to add a reflective cover as you did.

[@ChrisHoward]

Thanks! This has been a really warm summer, and the reflective cover does help with the heat.

[@HelberPontes]

Hi @@ChrisHoward ! Do you have updates about your micro-observatory project? I keep using my system in the SKB box, with RST-150H mount and 86mm scope. Cheers.

[@ChrisHoward]

@@HelberPontes No updates yet! I have been focusing on a travel setup, but I'm back and thinking about using the ZWO AM5 in the SKB box this autumn and leaving everything setup through the winter.

[@aw7425]

Brilliant, that’s exactly what I need. Also saw a Rubbermaid small 5’x6’ shed modded with rolloff roof from KZbin er Dee Jay Busta B. Excellent build

[@rsundhar]

Great video! That is one cool project! I had a chance to check out your website; also very impressive. I recently acquired a spacecat 51 and similar mount. I might try a similar project. Keep us posted!

[@ChrisHoward]

Thanks, Sundhar! The Cats are the perfect scope for this sized container. I probably have another week of testing and detail work on the back deck, closer to the house, and then it's out in the yard--and maybe a video of this thing actually working!

[@AstroDragon33]

What equipment do you use for the remote connection? Ethernet to a router inside? I can't find any video that shows and explains this part of the remote set-up

[@ChrisHoward]

I just use a cheap WAVLINK wifi router dedicated to my astro setups, and I bridge the house wifi so NINA/Windows or Ekos/Linux can get to the outside world. I have a fanless Windows machine and a Raspberry Pi 4 dedicated to each of my setups, and those are out in the backyard with the mounts and scopes. I power up the wifi router on the back deck if I'm planning to image. WAVLINK and others have more expensive outdoor weatherproof routers, which seem cool and more permanent--nice to have, but I haven't needed it. I already run power out to my gear, so running a network line would also work, but for me, wifi is simpler. After the astro router powers up I set my machine in the house to the astro wifi and remote into the machines out in the yard, then run each as if they're local machines. That's the general idea--use a dedicated machine outside that's connected directly to your mount, cameras, focuser, filter wheel, etc., and remote into that over RDP or VNC from the house. I hope that helps. What are you running for hardware and software to control your astro gear?

[@fenice319]

Wonderfull project, it's giving me some ideas to setup something similar on my balcony. Did you end up doing anything with it? Looking at your uploads it seems that you've moved on

[@ChrisHoward]

I never moved beyond a few tests. I may get back to the project at some point. Right now, I'm focusing on portability, and will try traveling with my astro gear.

[@Astro_Ophiuchus]

WOW.. Awesome!! I love that Micro-Observatory. I have the SpaceCat and the iOptron CEM25P. I would buy one of those from you if you ever sell them.

[@ChrisHoward]

Thanks, Pablo! The plan is to run this through the summer, fall, and winter, and refine as I go. If all goes well I'll still be using it a year from now!

[@Astro_Ophiuchus]

You’re welcome Chris. Good luck with it. I’m looking forward to seeing more videos of it!

[@fade242black]

Cool project

[@ChrisHoward]

Thanks, Paul. It's taken me way too long to get going, but it's coming together quickly now. I can't wait to get it out in the yard and aligned.

[@stephane153]

hello Chris, I just bought a CEM25P for my observatory V3.

[@ChrisHoward]

Awesome!

[@stephane153]

@@ChrisHoward Are you still using Indi to control your gear? I don't see you much on the forum.

[@ChrisHoward]

@@stephane153 Off and on. I have a new Pi4 with Stellarmate 1.54 I want to try, but earlier this year and about half of 2019 I was primarily using a Windows box with SGP or NINA. The bigger problem for me is time, really stretched thin over the summer. I'm hoping to make up for lost time in October and beyond!

[@stephane153]

@@ChrisHoward Due to Covid and other commitments, I've only managed to actively get back to my observatory a few weeks ago.

[@lepetitbaigneur9073]

what type of solar panels are u using for this mini observatory? It looks like a brilliant idea

[@ChrisHoward]

I have a 50 watt / 12v panel out in the yard, just enough to test the concept. I have been away from this project for a while, really need to get back to it!

[@lepetitbaigneur9073]

@@ChrisHoward yeah, i'd like to try it also. Just idk how i would fit a reflector instead of a refractor in it

[@四更梦]

如果天气非常好，但你又不在家里如何继续？ 我是说校准极轴这个工作

[@ChrisHoward]

You are right. This is not ready for remote observatory use. I have to be home to open the top and use the telescope. I have designed a way to open the top mechanically but I have not installed any of that. The box is fixed to the ground and once I polar align the mount that will be fine for a while. Google Translate 谷歌翻译 你是对的。 这还没有准备好供远程天文台使用。 我必须回家才能打开顶部并使用望远镜。 我设计了一种机械打开顶部的方法，但我还没有安装任何方法。 盒子固定在地面上，一旦我将安装座极性对齐，就可以暂时使用。

[@jesuschrist2284]

Great idea

[@stephane153]

Chris, quick question, is that 2040 aluminium extrusion you are using there?

[@ChrisHoward]

I am! I would build a house with it if I could afford to! It is really handy stuff.

[@stephane153]

@@ChrisHoward thanks Chris, I'm going to "steal" your 2040 design and incorporate it in my box for the CEM25p.

[@stephane153]

I forgot to ask, I see two counter weight and a shorter bar (is it off the shelve or did you cut it yourself?). What's the actual weight of them please?

[@ChrisHoward]

The bar is 8 inches of 3/4" aluminum 6061 round I cut and drilled to fit the CEM25P's counterweight bar. (I bought the bar on ebay: www.ebay.com/itm/281853653910?hash=item419fc97396:g:tzgAAOSw7hRWQnsu). The weights are Orion 7384 7.5lb.3.4kg Counterweights

[@stephane153]

@@ChrisHoward thanks for the details, much appreciated. I'm going to look into this as I'm planning my third generation of the remote observatory. It's going to be sub-compact... Maybe even smaller that your box or about.

[@anthonygraham6449]

Have you completed this project?

[@ChrisHoward]

Not yet. I started testing and ran into a belt issue with the mount. I may update the CEM25P, but I'm also looking the the GEM28 to replace it.

[@msimcox2]

When you get this all ironed out I'd like to see better pictures of how your cable management is set up to power everything and not have issues with the full movement.

[@ChrisHoward]

I will definitely post more pics and video on my progress. I still have to experiment with the best way to run cables. Right now I have 1 USB, multiple power lines, and at least one dew strip line, and not a lot of room inside that box to swing cables around. We'll see how it goes!

[@stephane153]

@@ChrisHoward You can get right angled USB cables to minimise the space at the connectors.

[@stephane153]

Are you still using your micro observatory?

[@ChrisHoward]

Unfortunately, not for a while. My CEM25P eventually failed--it ran great for years. I got a lot of great imaging out it. When I pre-ordered the ZWO AM5, I was thinking it was the perfect mount for the micro observatory, but I ended up focusing on portability instead. The big black box is out by the pier in my backyard, but I just use it for storage these days.

[@stephane153]

@@ChrisHoward I still have my CEM25p, tried to sell it but nobody is interested as the new trend is harmonic drive mounts. Like the AM5 etc..