My Hero: Waid Mobile Observatory

[russ_watters]

Waid Mobile Observatory

When I'm 40 and I retire, I'm going to build myself one of these.

 

[zanazzi78]

I want one too. Maybe i can convert my Dad`s mobile caravan. atleast i can have a nice hot brew while working!

I can`t see how he`s going to level it.

 

[DaveC426913]

Leveliing isn't the tricky bit; I wonder how he's going to dampen vibrations.

 

[Danger]

I can`t see how he`s going to level it.

I don't think it would have to be levelled accurately--just stabilized. Screwjacks or hydraulic legs on the corners could do either.

Neat idea, for sure.

edit: Dave, your post wasn't there when I was doing mine. As for the vibrations, the aforementioned legs could consist partly of automotive shock absorbers or spring-loaded telescoping segments. I don't know which specific vibrations you're talking about, though. All that I can think of right off are wind and the observer's own movements inside. I don't assume that he'd be using the thing right close to a highway.

 

[Vast]

What’s that! That’s not a mobile observatory. Now http://www.rcopticalsystems.com/rc_cine.html is a mobile observatory!

BTW, the 20” Ritchey-Chretien alone is $48,000

 

[zanazzi78]

Leveliing isn't the tricky bit; I wonder how he's going to dampen vibrations.

True

Photography on a windy night, forget it

What’s that! That’s not a mobile observatory. Now THIS! is a mobile observatory!

BTW, the 20” Ritchey-Chretien alone is $48,000

*DROOLS*

 

[Danger]

Now http://www.rcopticalsystems.com/rc_cine.html is a mobile observatory!

I'd like mine with the optional missile launcher, please.

 

[russ_watters]

I was thinking about the vibrations bit this afternoon - the solution is that the telescope doesn't sit on the trailer! The pier just protrudes through a hole in the floor and has self-leveling hydraulic tripod legs folded into the bottom of the trailer. At least - that's how mine's going to work.

 

[turbo]

What’s that! That’s not a mobile observatory. Now http://www.rcopticalsystems.com/rc_cine.html is a mobile observatory!

BTW, the 20” Ritchey-Chretien alone is $48,000

It looks like the guy with the goggles is getting a direct feed from the CCD at the RC's prime focus...or is it just wishful thinking?

I noticed also that the "little" (about 12") 'scope under the RC is operating with an off-axis aperture mask. Custom-made with top-quality materials - black construction paper and gaffer's tape.

 

[turbo]

I was thinking about the vibrations bit this afternoon - the solution is that the telescope doesn't sit on the trailer! The pier just protrudes through a hole in the floor and has self-leveling hydraulic tripod legs folded into the bottom of the trailer. At least - that's how mine's going to work.

Yep, protruding through the floor is the way to eliminate vibration from the trailer. You just need a method of jacking up the pier and locking the base to the underside of the trailer frame so you can move the trailer.

There're really no need to level the pier accurately, it just needs to be upright enough to remain really stable. The trick is that the head of the pier must be able to rotate and your mount needs to be adjustable in elevation. With these two motions, you can polar-align, no matter how you park your trailer.