Eastlake High School Observatory
March 2015
Eastlake High School Observatory Building
Located in Chula Vista California
Trey McGriff and telescope
Meade 16 Inch LX200 Classic on a Paramount ME ll mount
Apogee C16M CCD Camera - SBIG ST-i Autoguider
|
Working with Ralph Emerson of Oceanside Photo and Telescope, Trey Mcgriff and I drove down to
Eastlake High School in Chula Vista Ca. There we met with Paul Gardner, and some of the staff,
installed the the 16 inch LX200 telescope and Paramount MEII on their pier and tested it's operation. After Nightfall. the mount was "Polar" aligned and collimated. Telescope control software was installed on the computer and the Apogee camera was tested.
|
Checking the balance
| Notice that if the telescope were to be pointed straight up, the camera assembly would hit the elevator's wall. This required us to install an 18 inch extension to the pier. After installation of the extension, the mount's polar alignment was re-checked. Next image. |
Wayne Peters connecting system to computer
18 inch pier extension in place
Classroom computer systems
One computer is designated for student observatory control the other two are for
student image processing
Assembly Complete
View from Dome Webcam
First Imaging Session
First Light Image by Erik Swenson
Myself, Larry Moen and Ralph Emerson next to completed Telescope installation. Paul Gardner's Wiring Harness complete. All accessories connected to the computer including Dome Control.
The Counter weight extension shaft has been removed and two additional counter weights added to achive balance. Dome Shutter control box can be
seen mounted to the dome. Ready for first imaging session.
Observatory is connected to Eastlake's VPN and is fully robotic
This was a bust. Mother nature decided that it was time for a heavy marine layer so we were clouded out.
Erik Swenson, the Astronomy instructor, was there and we had the telescope pointed at M51. Now we just wait on the weather for the first image.
This was a team effort with Erik at the control consol. The sky conditions were
not good with haze and scattered clouds. Image was 6x5 minutes bin 2x2, clear filter.
