Re: [APML] OT: All things come to an end...

[José Rola <jose.rola@sapo.pt>]

Hi,

Do  you live near the sea or other mass of salted water?

Regards
José Rola


----- Original Message -----
From: "Philip Perkins" <pgp@astrocruise.com>
To: "Discussion of Film Astrophotography" <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 8:20 PM
Subject: Re: [APML] OT: All things come to an end...


> Robert,
>
> A sad time, but an open air observing site has its own rewards.  My AP 900
> GTO plus portable pier has been standing in the open for 4 years, at both
> my home and southern France observing sites.  Set up time is minimal since
> I only have to mount the optics - the mount is permanently polar
> aligned.  The power block (next to the mount) is permanently powered and
> covered by a weighted convex cover.  An outdoor furniture cover covers the
> entire mount plus upper portion of the pier, and is strapped to the mount
> by elastic ties.  A dew heater on medium heat is wrapped around the mount
> (under the cover) to keep off damp.  The mount has remained in pristine
> condition and still looks like new.
>
> The setup is highly weather proof and no amount of wind can cause any
> damage because wind resistance is so low. Setup time is no more than 5-10
> minutes, depending on the type of imaging.  I prefer this setup because it
> enables me to keep everything in portable condition ready to take down to
> the south of France.  Having used this setup for so long I have no
> incentive to build an observatory now, because it works so well, and there
> is no substitute for being truly out amongst the stars!
>
> Hope it goes well, whatever you decide to do!
> --Philip
>
>
> >Actually, my observing "style" has changed.  I was getting to the point
> >where I did not like being inside and only seeing a small slot of sky.  I
> >prefer to have the whole sky over me now.  To that end, knowing the dome
was
> >deteriorating, I had plans brewing to replace the dome with a roll-off
roof
> >.  Having the building get damaged as well as the incessant wasps kind of
> >changed that.  But at least I have a good dark sky and a safe location to
go
> >to.  It is not very far from where the texas Star Party was held the year
> >they didn't have it on the Prude Ranch.
>
>
> Philip Perkins
> <pgp@astrocruise.com>
> Wiltshire UK & Luberon France
> http://www.astrocruise.com
>
>
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> Astro-Photo@seds.org
> http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo
>

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