AZcendant Observatory

AtRancho Hidalgo New Mexico

(See my Web site at http://www.astroshow.com)

Acknowledgements

• Bill Yates. He asked me to buy his telescopes when he found he had pancreatic cancer. Thanks Bill. We miss you... The telescopes at the site are the ones you used.

• Bernard Miller. His presentation to EVAC a few months ago was essential in showing how this could be done and showing what equipment would be needed for remote control. Thanks Bernard!

• Gene Turner (and Loy Bear), owner/operator of Rancho Hidalgo and Granite Gap, perhaps the best location in the US for dark skies and excellent seeing conditions. Thanks Gene and Loy for making all this possible!

Rancho Hidalgo

Hidalgo County, NM. Southernmost county of New Mexico.

Construction

Moving In and Setting Up

Remote Controlled Power Switch

Inside the Warm Room

Video Cams are Essential

Must be able to re-sync scopesMeade LX-200

1. Take image of random place in sky - overhead preferably. Use video cams to determine scope position. Make sure you have some stars.

2. Do not move the scope.

3. Upload image and do plate solve using either:

A. http://nova.astrometry.net/

B. http://www.flickr.com/groups/387956@N23/(an Astrometry group on flickr)

4. Use found coordinates to sync the scope remotely.

Must be able to re-sync scopesCGE Mount

Set “Last-align” using remote controlled solenoids to push keypad buttons

Remote Controlled Power Switch -Devices that are being controlled

Some Early Images

First test image, M42, (B/W)

Early Test Image, M42, LRGB

Conclusions

• Dark skies, superb “seeing”, wonderful people.

• I knew I wanted to be an astronomer when I was in the 4th grade…

• This observatory exceeds any life-long astronomy dreams I had as a kid!

• You could do this too!

• Call Gene Turner at 575-548-0065 to see how.