Hi Carol,

It just said Glad You enjoy the CDROM>


Alan


--- In
Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com, "siderea"
<siderea@...> wrote:
>
> What did it say?
> Carol
> THO
> 38.108637N, 122.580945W
> http://tinyurl.com/t2c8t
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "ottersonalan" <ottersonalan@...>
> To: <Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 1:45 PM
> Subject: [Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories] Re: Introduce
Yourselves
>
>
> > Hey Carol,
> >
> > I tried to send you a reply to the e-mail
> > you sent me but it bounced backed.
> >
> > Alan
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In
> > Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com, "siderea"
> > <siderea@> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi Alan
> >> I'm Carol  in Northern California. A Swift 839 refractor and a
> > brand new
> >> pair of 12x50 binoculars are the intruments of the Treehouse. A
> > classical
> >> observatory in the tradition of Ptolemy, Gallileo and Tycho---
and
> > open air
> >> second story balcony. No roof as yet, but thousands of possible
> > designs!
> >> Clear skies and apple pies!
> >>
> >> Carol W.
> >> Cheif Astronomess
> >> THO
> >> 38.108637N, 122.580945W
> >> http://tinyurl.com/t2c8t
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> > mailto:Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories-
fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
>

What did it say?
Carol
THO
38.108637N, 122.580945W
http://tinyurl.com/t2c8t
----- Original Message -----
From: "ottersonalan" <ottersonalan@...>
To: <Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 1:45 PM
Subject: [Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories] Re: Introduce Yourselves


> Hey Carol,
>
> I tried to send you a reply to the e-mail
> you sent me but it bounced backed.
>
> Alan
>
>
>
> --- In
> Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com, "siderea"
> <siderea@...> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Alan
>> I'm Carol  in Northern California. A Swift 839 refractor and a
> brand new
>> pair of 12x50 binoculars are the intruments of the Treehouse. A
> classical
>> observatory in the tradition of Ptolemy, Gallileo and Tycho--- and
> open air
>> second story balcony. No roof as yet, but thousands of possible
> designs!
>> Clear skies and apple pies!
>>
>> Carol W.
>> Cheif Astronomess
>> THO
>> 38.108637N, 122.580945W
>> http://tinyurl.com/t2c8t
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
> mailto:Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>

Hey Carol,

I tried to send you a reply to the e-mail
you sent me but it bounced backed.

Alan



--- In
Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com, "siderea"
<siderea@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Alan
> I'm Carol  in Northern California. A Swift 839 refractor and a
brand new
> pair of 12x50 binoculars are the intruments of the Treehouse. A
classical
> observatory in the tradition of Ptolemy, Gallileo and Tycho--- and
open air
> second story balcony. No roof as yet, but thousands of possible
designs!
> Clear skies and apple pies!
>
> Carol W.
> Cheif Astronomess
> THO
> 38.108637N, 122.580945W
> http://tinyurl.com/t2c8t
>

Hi All,


Welcome Dave Schwartz and all new members to our growing
group.

Nice to see we are growing.

Now lets start talk it up, after all, it's not just Mine and
Stewarts group, it's all of yours.

A group is only as good as its members make it.

So lets get some discussion going on.

Alan

Hi Alan,
         That is the oldest one i have seen.

Regards
Stewart



--- In
Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com, "ottersonalan"
<ottersonalan@...> wrote:
>
> Stewart and all,
>
> Check this out.
>
> Could this be the oldest flip top observatory??
>
> http://www.britastro.org/iandi/obspatst.htm
>
> G E Patson's Observatory
> Streatham, London
>
>
> Alan
>

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the
Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories
group.

   File        : /OpenObs.gif
   Uploaded by : olympus_mons_observatory <sg.waters@...>
   Description : Animation

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories/files/OpenObs\
.gif

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

olympus_mons_observatory <sg.waters@...>

Hi Bill,

I'll post back to the group, as this may be relevant to other questions and
feedback on my design dilemma.

No, the HOA specificallly does not allow tool sheds! This latest step "up" in
neighborhood is a major step down in practicality. Big brother is watching.
We'll see if there's flexibility around the "no permanent structures of less
than XX sqft" rule when we start interacting with the committee on other
improvements, but it appears to be written to stop anything but an actual house
or big guest house.

Other ideas that might work include a pergola with a 5x5' hole in the middle of
the wood strips, and a telescoping pier to reach up to the hole. Retractable
covers in between the joists for rain & 100% sun cover, but primary protection
would be a soft cover over the scope & pier. This concept is ranked #2, because
a scope floating up about 9 feet in the air would make observing difficult! I do
about 95% imaging, occasional observing.

My balcony perch has been very usable and productive, and we had architected
plans to expand it and give me a better footing, back before we found the new
place. The retractable awning and scope covers are all that's needed for weather
(I know, I'm probably offending a few folks in snow country. Sorry!). Plus, it's
very secure. No balcony in the new place though. I'm also looking forward to not
having to tiptoe around the scope, so I like the ground-based concepts!

Thanks,
Kel

--- In Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com, "Bill Logan"
<wb9sat@...> wrote:
>
> Kel,
>
> Does the HOA allow tool sheds?  If so, I may have to perfect solution.  A
> roll-off tool shed.  Write me off group if you're interested and I'll send
> photos of one that I designed for an elementary school.
>
> Clear skies,
>
> Dollar Bill Logan
> Chief Astronomer
> Robert Burnham Jr. Memorial Observatory
> Located somewhere near Rattlesnake Gulch, St. Johns, Arizona
> NexStar 11 GPS, CeleStar 8 and Orion StarShoot CCD camera
>
> Goal in life:  To be the person my dog thinks I am.

Stewart and all,

Check this out.

Could this be the oldest flip top observatory??

http://www.britastro.org/iandi/obspatst.htm

G E Patson's Observatory
Streatham, London


Alan

Kel,

Does the HOA allow tool sheds?  If so, I may have to perfect solution.  A
roll-off tool shed.  Write me off group if you're interested and I'll send
photos of one that I designed for an elementary school.

Clear skies,

Dollar Bill Logan
Chief Astronomer
Robert Burnham Jr. Memorial Observatory
Located somewhere near Rattlesnake Gulch, St. Johns, Arizona
NexStar 11 GPS, CeleStar 8 and Orion StarShoot CCD camera

Goal in life:  To be the person my dog thinks I am.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Kel" <skywardview@...>
To: <Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 5:33 AM
Subject: [Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories] Designing a Flip/Roll-Away


> Hello everyone,
>
> My name is Kel, and I live in San Diego. I currently observe and image
> from my 2nd floor balcony with my 8" LX90 and piggyback Celestron 80ED. In
> two months we're moving to a new place where I'll be setting up a
> ground-based semi-permanent observatory.
>
> Due to homeonwers' association constraints, it can't be a permanent
> structure, and I would like to make it look like a natural part of the
> yard. So the current concept will be a small (5') kids' playhouse that
> covers the scope/pier, and for access I will flip part of the roof, open
> barn doors, and roll away the playhouse from the semi-permanent or
> permanent pier. I think I have a good vision for how to do it, but if
> anyone knows a link that will lend any inspiration, I would appreciate
> that!
>
> Kel
> <http://autostarsuite.net/photos/skywardview/default.aspx>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
> mailto:Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.428 / Virus Database: 268.13.24/514 - Release Date: 11/2/2006
> 5:15 PM
>
>

Hi Kel,

Thanks for joining,

Great photos on your web site.

I'm sure that we can help you design something you'll like.

Sometimes it helps to draw out what you would like on paper to get an
idea of all the things you want to incorporate in it.

Check our links page for a starter.

Clear skies,

Alan



--- In Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com, "Kel"
<skywardview@...> wrote:
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> My name is Kel, and I live in San Diego. I currently observe and
image from my 2nd floor balcony with my 8" LX90 and piggyback
Celestron 80ED. In two months we're moving to a new place where I'll
be setting up a ground-based semi-permanent observatory.
>
> Due to homeonwers' association constraints, it can't be a permanent
structure, and I would like to make it look like a natural part of
the yard. So the current concept will be a small (5') kids' playhouse
that covers the scope/pier, and for access I will flip part of the
roof, open barn doors, and roll away the playhouse from the semi-
permanent or permanent pier. I think I have a good vision for how to
do it, but if anyone knows a link that will lend any inspiration, I
would appreciate that!
>
> Kel
> <http://autostarsuite.net/photos/skywardview/default.aspx>
>

Hello everyone,

My name is Kel, and I live in San Diego. I currently observe and image from my
2nd floor balcony with my 8" LX90 and piggyback Celestron 80ED. In two months
we're moving to a new place where I'll be setting up a ground-based
semi-permanent observatory.

Due to homeonwers' association constraints, it can't be a permanent structure,
and I would like to make it look like a natural part of the yard. So the current
concept will be a small (5') kids' playhouse that covers the scope/pier, and for
access I will flip part of the roof, open barn doors, and roll away the
playhouse from the semi-permanent or permanent pier. I think I have a good
vision for how to do it, but if anyone knows a link that will lend any
inspiration, I would appreciate that!

Kel
<http://autostarsuite.net/photos/skywardview/default.aspx>

Hi all,

Welcome all the new members.

As I said I was knocked off line for two days.

I have had thios idea for this group ever since I finished my Flip Top
(windy Ridge Observatory).

I wrote Stewart Walters about this idea and was enthusiastic (SP?)
about it and has been a great help in getting oit started.

I will Catch up with you all tomarrow.


Alan
Group originator & Owner
Windy Ridge Observatory

Hi all,

I was off line due to Verison being hit hard.

It started yesterda and all accross the country was inable to use dial-
up

More about this latter,

I will be catching up,

Thanks to all who helped while I was down.

Alan

Hi,
    Here is a link to one of the editors of "Sky & Telescopes"
observatories:
http://skytonight.com/howto/diy/3305836.html

Regards
Stewart

Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the
Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories group:

What style observatory/observatories, do you own or intend to build ?

   o Flip Top
   o Dome
   o POD
   o Roll Off Roof
   o Clamshell
   o Geodesic
   o Roll off roof with dome
   o Loft
   o Portable (tent etc)
   o Roll Away building
   o Trailer
   o Roll In Roof
   o Elongated
   o Roll around Roof


To vote, please visit the following web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories/surveys?id=17\
24856

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.

Thanks!

Hello and welcome to all the new members of the group.

Please feel free to upload your observatory construction and
completion photos to the photo section of the group. If you have
plans of your observatory please add these to the files section of
the group so other members can learn from your experience.

Don't forget to add a link to your astronomy website if it has
construction pitures and details for others to view. I personally
found these websites very helpful when i built my own observatory.

You should be able to find many answers to your questions in the
message archives but don't worry if your question is not already
answered as there are many helpful and knowledgeable members in the
group who will be happy to help you.

Members are encouraged to post regarding experiences with observatory
constructions as well as asking questions regarding
future construction  and use of observatories. Remember that an
active group is more
interesting to be in as well as educational for members.

Above all i hope you enjoy the group and find it a useful resource of
information.

Kind Regards
Group Moderator

oops!  Let me correct that link:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homebrew_telescopic_piers

Clear skies,

Dollar Bill Logan
Chief Astronomer
Robert Burnham Jr. Memorial Observatory
Located somewhere near Rattlesnake Gulch, St. Johns, Arizona
NexStar 11 GPS, CeleStar 8 and Orion StarShoot CCD camera

Goal in life:  To be the person my dog thinks I am.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Logan" <wb9sat@...>
To: <Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 6:07 AM
Subject: Re: [Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories] Re: Introduce Your selfs


> Hello Ken,
>
> Welcome to the group.  Just in case you're interested in building a
> permanent pier, here's a Yahoo group that you may be interested in.
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homebrew_telescopic_ piers
>
> Clear skies,
>
> Dollar Bill Logan
> Chief Astronomer
> Robert Burnham Jr. Memorial Observatory
> Located somewhere near Rattlesnake Gulch, St. Johns, Arizona
> NexStar 11 GPS, CeleStar 8 and Orion StarShoot CCD camera
>
> Goal in life:  To be the person my dog thinks I am.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "krybka" <krybka@...>
> To: <Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 5:38 AM
> Subject: [Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories] Re: Introduce Your selfs
>
>
>> Hi - I live in Chester, New Jersey.  I currently have an ETX-90, an
>> ETX-125 and a pair of Canon stabilized binoculars.  I am in the very
>> early planning stages of building an observatory.  I don't have a lot
>> of yard to work with.  I like the idea of building the observatory
>> into the roof of our house but I think I should start with something a
>> bit less ambitious - maybe just a permanent pier with no shelter.  The
>> good news is that I do have an understanding wife! I am looking
>> forward to participating in this group.
>>
>> Ken
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>> mailto:Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.5.428 / Virus Database: 268.13.24/514 - Release Date:
>> 11/2/2006
>> 5:15 PM
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
> mailto:Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.428 / Virus Database: 268.13.24/514 - Release Date: 11/2/2006
> 5:15 PM
>

Hello Ken,

Welcome to the group.  Just in case you're interested in building a
permanent pier, here's a Yahoo group that you may be interested in.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homebrew_telescopic_ piers

Clear skies,

Dollar Bill Logan
Chief Astronomer
Robert Burnham Jr. Memorial Observatory
Located somewhere near Rattlesnake Gulch, St. Johns, Arizona
NexStar 11 GPS, CeleStar 8 and Orion StarShoot CCD camera

Goal in life:  To be the person my dog thinks I am.


----- Original Message -----
From: "krybka" <krybka@...>
To: <Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 5:38 AM
Subject: [Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories] Re: Introduce Your selfs


> Hi - I live in Chester, New Jersey.  I currently have an ETX-90, an
> ETX-125 and a pair of Canon stabilized binoculars.  I am in the very
> early planning stages of building an observatory.  I don't have a lot
> of yard to work with.  I like the idea of building the observatory
> into the roof of our house but I think I should start with something a
> bit less ambitious - maybe just a permanent pier with no shelter.  The
> good news is that I do have an understanding wife! I am looking
> forward to participating in this group.
>
> Ken
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
> mailto:Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.428 / Virus Database: 268.13.24/514 - Release Date: 11/2/2006
> 5:15 PM
>
>

Hi - I live in Chester, New Jersey.  I currently have an ETX-90, an
ETX-125 and a pair of Canon stabilized binoculars.  I am in the very
early planning stages of building an observatory.  I don't have a lot
of yard to work with.  I like the idea of building the observatory
into the roof of our house but I think I should start with something a
bit less ambitious - maybe just a permanent pier with no shelter.  The
good news is that I do have an understanding wife! I am looking
forward to participating in this group.

Ken

Hello Everyone

I'm in the Hudson Valley of New York.  At the moment I'm doing most of my
observing with an Orion XT 10.

Joel

Hi Everyone,
             I have been trying to find this link to show you for ages:
http://tinyurl.com/yy9lfy

I think this observatory is great!

There is even a model to show you how it works.

Regards
Stewart
P.S. Check out the groups links section, there are lots of cool looking
observatories in there.

Hi,
    Here is a nice looking clamshell observatory i found while surfing:
http://www.rc-astro.com/equipment/observatory/index.htm

Regards
Stewart

Hi Alan
I'm Carol  in Northern California. A Swift 839 refractor and a brand new
pair of 12x50 binoculars are the intruments of the Treehouse. A classical
observatory in the tradition of Ptolemy, Gallileo and Tycho--- and open air
second story balcony. No roof as yet, but thousands of possible designs!
Clear skies and apple pies!

Carol W.
Cheif Astronomess
THO
38.108637N, 122.580945W
http://tinyurl.com/t2c8t

Hi,
    Does anyone in the group own a clamshell observatory ?

Regards
Stewart

Hi All,
        I live in Essex U.K. I have a Meade LX200GPS 14" UHTC polar
mounted in an roll in roof observatory.

I have been into astronomy for around  5 years now.

Regards
Stewart



--- In
Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com, "ottersonalan"
<ottersonalan@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All new Members,
>
> Why not take the time and Introduce your selfs
>
> I live in Three Rivers, Michigan.
>
> I have a Celestron 1980's C8 telescope a 4'1/4"
> richdield, a 4 in short refractor, and a pair of 20X80 Binos.
>
> Alan
> Group Owner
>

Don't be shy,

What are you looking for in a observatory?

A flip top can be very simple or elaborate.

Clamshells can be expensive.

So what would you like to beild?

Alan



--- In
Flip_Top_and_Clamshell_Observatories@yahoogroups.com, "ottersonalan"
<ottersonalan@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All new Members,
>
> Why not take the time and Introduce your selfs
>
> I live in Three Rivers, Michigan.
>
> I have a Celestron 1980's C8 telescope a 4'1/4"
> richdield, a 4 in short refractor, and a pair of 20X80 Binos.
>
> Alan
> Group Owner
>

Hi All new Members,

Why not take the time and Introduce your selfs

I live in Three Rivers, Michigan.

I have a Celestron 1980's C8 telescope a 4'1/4"
richdield, a 4 in short refractor, and a pair of 20X80 Binos.

Alan
Group Owner

Hi All,

Thanks for joining.

Let me know what you would like to see and hear about,
and I will post it.

Also feel free to start asking questions or if you already
have a Observatory please create a photo album and up-load your photos.

Thanks,

Alan
Group Owner.

Hello & Welcome,

http://windyridgeobservatory.blogspot.com

Hello and welcome to all the new members of the group.

Please feel free to upload your observatory construction and
completion photos to the photo section of the group. If you have
plans of your observatory please add these to the files section of
the group so other members can learn from your experience.

Don't forget to add a link to your astronomy website if it has
construction pitures and details for others to view. I personally
found these websites very helpful when i built my own observatory.

You should be able to find many answers to your questions in the
message archives but don't worry if your question is not already
answered as there are many helpful and knowledgeable members in the
group who will be happy to help you.

Members are encouraged to post regarding experiences with observatory
constructions as well as asking questions regarding
future construction  and use of observatories. Remember that an
active group is more
interesting to be in as well as educational for members.

Above all i hope you enjoy the group and find it a useful resource of
information.

Kind Regards
Group Moderator