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William Shaheen | profile | all galleries >> Astronomy - Astronomical objects, images and astronomy related projects >> Rusty Mountain Observatory Construction tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Rusty Mountain Observatory Construction

Rusty Mountain Observatory Development
Paramount MX robotic mount ordered 18-Jan-2012. http://www.bisque.com/sc/pages/ParamountMX.aspx
Ground clearing 21-Jan-2012.
Paramount MX Permanent Pier ordered 24-Jan-2012. (Received 2/1/12) http://www.bisque.com/sc/shops/store/Paramount+MX+Accessory/permanent-pier-36_2D00_in.aspx
Pier foundaton to be poured 07-Feb-2012. (J-bolt jig completed 2/1/12)
04-Feb-2012 Concrete form constructed for the pier foundation.
07-Feb-2012 Pier base poured.
09-Feb-2012 Pier installed.
20-Jun-2012 Received the Paramount MX mount from Software Bisque.
23-Jan-2013 Was assigned observatory code V05 by the MPC (Minor Planet Center).
25-Feb-2013 Installed scope rings on the OTA (from Telescope Support Systems)

To see photos taken from the observatory, see https://pbase.com/wjshaheen/celestron_edgehd_1400__paramountmx
and https://pbase.com/wjshaheen/comet_c2012_s1_ison

For further developments, please see Phase II here: https://pbase.com/wjshaheen/rusty_mountain_observatory_ii

Ground clearing
Ground clearing 		Paramount MX pier and J-bolt jig
Paramount MX pier and J-bolt jig		 The jig is up! (Upside down, actually)
The jig is up! (Upside down, actually)		 When Polaris culminates...
When Polaris culminates...		 Pier base form and J-bolt jig.
Pier base form and J-bolt jig.
Alignment marks placed
Alignment marks placed		 Justin McMahon (Mike's son) doing all the work.
Justin McMahon (Mike's son) doing all the work.		 The hole is dug (3 ft. deep)
The hole is dug (3 ft. deep)		 The 18 inch form placed on top of concrete to create a pedestal.
The 18 inch form placed on top of concrete to create a pedestal.		 Mike McMahon putting the finishing touches on the pier base
Mike McMahon putting the finishing touches on the pier base
Poured and capped.
Poured and capped.		 Mike and Justin setting up the alignment strings.
Mike and Justin setting up the alignment strings.		 Justin McMahon checking the N-S alignment
Justin McMahon checking the N-S alignment		 I hate drying time. Nothing to do now but wait.
"I hate drying time". Nothing to do now but wait.		 09-Feb-2012 The wraps are off
09-Feb-2012 The wraps are off
IMG_1417.jpg
IMG_1417.jpg		 Sagitta
Sagitta		 IMG_1419.jpg
IMG_1419.jpg		 The pier sees first weight :O)
The pier sees first weight :O)		 On the level N-S
On the level N-S
View looking north
View looking north		 E-W level
E-W level		 Mounted with steel adapter plate.
Mounted with steel adapter plate.		 Completed interim telescope mounting
Completed interim telescope mounting		 Paramount MX in its happy position
Paramount MX in its "happy position"
The MX mount on its pier, where it belongs...
The MX mount on its pier, where it belongs...		 IMG_0008.JPG
IMG_0008.JPG		 IMG_0009.JPG
IMG_0009.JPG		 OTA support rings
OTA support rings
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