I have recently upgraded my scope from an Orion Optics UK AG8 to a bigger AG12. It’s a fully corrected 12 inch f3.8 Newtonian Astrograph, mounted on a Losmandy G11 with Gemini computer.
I use a Starlight Xpress SXV-H35 to acquire the data with the optional Starlight Xpress guide head, and an off axis guider to keep it where it needs to be while imaging.
You will notice the gold Mylar wrapped around the pier! A while back I had terrible trouble with poor seeing, I found out this was all due to the concrete pier heating up during the day and radiating it back out at night. The Mylar was a cheap and simple solution.
For the observatory I decided on a roll off roof design. Although the scope is open to the elements the air temperature equalises very quickly keeping the seeing as good as I can get from my location.
Content and Photographs Copyright 2009 Peter Shah
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