Sometimes life really intrferes with what you love to do, and that is the case with me. I just turned 80 and my wife’s health, and mine for that matter, are keeping me from persuing my lifelong Astronomy activities. I visited with Brad about this and he mentioned that someone in the club might be interested in owning the Observatory I built at CRO, so I’ve decided to try that.
In general , my observatory is a two structure site in the 4Domes area at CRO, with a connecting 8’ x14’ Deck. The Domed building has a motorized 8’ Observadome. It has electricity, and wired in conduit to the Control Room building with Cat-6 and USB-3 Cabling. The pier is a steel 10" Diameter that is set permanently in concrete and will take Astro Physics and Ioptron Mounts. The pier can be adapted to practically any mount. There are 2 Pyramid 12V Power supplies and a RS232 to USB adapter. It has white lighting available and dimmable red lighting.
The adjacent Control room has AC power, Air Conditioning, 2 space Heaters, a desk, office chair , two PC Monitors, one with a DVD Player, Clothes closet, Microwave, wall cabinet, floor cabinet, twin bed and mattress, plus ceiling storage racks above the bed area. This building is connected, via conduit to the main AC source in Larry and David’s building. It is also connected via conduit to Dan’s building where the Lan equipment is located. The club’s WiFi is accessible from both buildings.
You would be rquired to be a CRO and Club member and join the 4Domes Consortium, which provides the AC power from the electric company, which runs about $40-50 a month , around $10 per person, and help with the maintenance of the site.
There is also a 130MM Stellarview ED Refractor, 2 electronic focusers, Field flattener, 2 Guidescopes, NIB ASI 2600MC Camera, Guide Camera, Dual Band Filter, ASI Air Plus, Ioptron CEM60 Mount with two 20lb. CW’s. I also have a Trailer and 10’ x 10’ Sky Box and a bunch of other Astro Stuff, too numerous to list here.
It was great to be able to have your astrophoto rig always set up and ready when I was. Not having to drive home at dawn after an “all-nighter” was the best, too. I hate to see it go unused, especially with all the extremely talented club members we have.
Anyway, that’s what I have to offer and certainly willing to work out a transfer of ownership with an OKCY club member.
Please PM if you’re interested.
Clear skies,
Mikey