436th Meeting held on Friday 6th June 2008
PRESENT
Kevin Thurstan (Chairman), Norman Thurstan, Geoff Flood, Steve Holt, Colin Bowler, Colin Eaves, Paul Brierley, Geoff Walton, Mark Crossley, Graham Sinagola, Tony Aremia, Chris Suddick, Roger Livermore, Nick Odom, Liz Clark, Richard Bullock, Peter Baugh, Paul Clark, Mike Cook.
Total attendance – 19.
The meeting was opened by Kevin who welcomed everyone and introduced Mike Cook.
Mike gave a talk about the trials and tribulations of building ones own observatory.
Being a glutton for punishment Mike chose to do this just after moving house, not far from his previous residence but to a house with infinitely better astronomical viewing and facing south. The new house is situated at the top of a hill and there are no other buildings to block his views, additionally there is no street lighting in his immediate vicinity and light pollution is minimal.
The first task was to find an appropriate site in the garden which not only suited Mike but which was approved by his wife.
Next he had to dig a huge pit 1 metre deep to take the pier for his scope. The pier was concreted in along with duplicated armoured wiring; obviously an awful lot of concrete was needed for this installation but it is vibration proof.
A firm, flat base was prepared and the timber shell of the observatory erected with a sliding, sloping roof which slid on ptfe coated runners. The roof which is made from coated steel proved to be heavier than expected and supports had to be provided (which fold away when the roof is in place) Mains electricity was installed through conduits and all the necessary switching and ancillary gear put in.
Now only the finishing touches-shelving etc. needs to be done.
It is of course possible to purchase an observatory but Mike felt that the struggle was worth it as he now has an observatory completely to his own specifications.
At the end of the day Mike is justifiably pleased and delighted with the results of his labour.
Footnote: In the middle of all this Mike was having an extension put on his house (one wonders where his priorities lay?).
Kevin thanked Mike for his talk and it was suggested that we have a society visit to see the end result.
Following a break for coffee/tea we re-assembled but there was no business other than some correspondence from the FAS and BAS.
At the AGM in September we will have a talk from Chris Suddick.
Kevin Thurstan (Chairman), Norman Thurstan, Geoff Flood, Steve Holt, Colin Bowler, Colin Eaves, Paul Brierley, Geoff Walton, Mark Crossley, Graham Sinagola, Tony Aremia, Chris Suddick, Roger Livermore, Nick Odom, Liz Clark, Richard Bullock, Peter Baugh, Paul Clark, Mike Cook.
Total attendance – 19.
The meeting was opened by Kevin who welcomed everyone and introduced Mike Cook.
Mike gave a talk about the trials and tribulations of building ones own observatory.
Being a glutton for punishment Mike chose to do this just after moving house, not far from his previous residence but to a house with infinitely better astronomical viewing and facing south. The new house is situated at the top of a hill and there are no other buildings to block his views, additionally there is no street lighting in his immediate vicinity and light pollution is minimal.
The first task was to find an appropriate site in the garden which not only suited Mike but which was approved by his wife.
Next he had to dig a huge pit 1 metre deep to take the pier for his scope. The pier was concreted in along with duplicated armoured wiring; obviously an awful lot of concrete was needed for this installation but it is vibration proof.
A firm, flat base was prepared and the timber shell of the observatory erected with a sliding, sloping roof which slid on ptfe coated runners. The roof which is made from coated steel proved to be heavier than expected and supports had to be provided (which fold away when the roof is in place) Mains electricity was installed through conduits and all the necessary switching and ancillary gear put in.
Now only the finishing touches-shelving etc. needs to be done.
It is of course possible to purchase an observatory but Mike felt that the struggle was worth it as he now has an observatory completely to his own specifications.
At the end of the day Mike is justifiably pleased and delighted with the results of his labour.
Footnote: In the middle of all this Mike was having an extension put on his house (one wonders where his priorities lay?).
Kevin thanked Mike for his talk and it was suggested that we have a society visit to see the end result.
Following a break for coffee/tea we re-assembled but there was no business other than some correspondence from the FAS and BAS.
At the AGM in September we will have a talk from Chris Suddick.
posted by Geoff Flood at 4:16 PM
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