Cardiff AS observatory build

[psjshep]

I have had one of Nick's 10 x 8 in place for nearly 2 years now.... It is a fantastic piece of craftmanship & still makes my smile to myself everytime I use it.

The only problem I had with him was that he is a craftsman... not a business man/project leader - he needed to be chased constantly, but it was worth it in the end..

Phil.

[GJBC]

well really close to completion now

all we need to do if put a flooring down we painted the floor to stop the dust and it worked a treat but we will put vinal or carpet tiles etc  down on top just to finish off.  gave a talk in Thursday evening where I introduced the membership to the final photos before we broke for the summer when we come back in September the observatory will be complete. i also introduce the membership to the telescope in the observatory which happened Sunday afternoon.  we had a weekend off this week as there were a few men driving round a circuit in Silvestone we wanted to watch so for the first weekend since May we did not go down to the observatory.
 
Once the mains electric cable has been installed which is soon now i hope ( the internal wiring is now completed). the desk area can be built and we are up and running.

So I will take the opportunity if I may to I introduce you to the telescope in its new home. it will get the alignment and testing done as soon as we can get a clear night and free time to coincide over the next month. 

Grahame

[GJBC]

Oh PS

30 seconds after putting the scope in the observatory it rained  hence a partially closed roof in the last shot.
 I will update the CAS website Observatory project pages early this week with many more images  possibly Tuesday or Wednesday

Grahame

[noakesy]

looking great grahame   well done on the work cant wait to see it complete   

[GJBC]

all the new pics are up on the web site

have a look here   http://www.cardiff-astronomical-society.co.uk/ObservatoryProject.asp

[noakesy]

great news grahame it looks fantastic  well mate

[GJBC]

Well  this weekend will see our members getting their first sneak preview of the observatory   we are not finished and are awaiting permanent electricity supply but we have a work around  that will suffice for a while and get us through the opening.

the official opening will be the 11 September 2001  an in a total coincidence that is on the 35 anniversary of the very first talk the Cardiff astronomical society received to the day. 

Grahame

[swashy]

Great stuff Grahame, I wish my obs was as tidy as that

[noakesy]

hi grahame,
                    really looking forward to the opening    congrats on what youve done

[GJBC]

The observatory had it first proper shake down this week getting driven from the hand controller and from the pc 
Myself and Chris set up early and waited and read the help on here and the instruction  and formulated a plan   well the plan worked and were off, up and running

We were joined by the security Guard (who was not working that night) and his kids for the night so we could test the instruction etc and after some trials and test we were all happy all was working OK
Then for the next hour that night we handed control over to Danielle (7 years old)   I would request a messier object and away she went  and when it was slightly out she would move it in  her dad had a really proud look it just took her two go's and she had it.  well the moon came up and spoilt the sky for us  but the kids were blown away when they pointed the 12inch at the moon and seeing the craters  up front and in all their glory and the resulting comments was worth all the effort so far. 

The observatory opening ceremony is at 11 am on the 11th September 2010  when the members and the public can get in to have a look, give us a month to sort out the running logistics and we will announce how the public can get in to use the observatory. 

Grahame