Remote Scope system

[dtandy]

Welcome to the Remote Scope forum.

Remote Scope is a robotic, Internet-based astroimaging system. The observatory houses a Paramount ME, Tak FSQ106-ED and a STL-11000M with LRGB Ha filterset. The system is fully automated and can be remotely accessed by anyone with an Internet connection.

Soon to join the observatory is a custom-made, well baffled 16" Ritchey Chretien F6.4 astrograph. This telescope has diffraction limited optics made by Star Instruments. The tube is a hand fabricated (by me) carbon fiber composite tube with a honeycomb core. The tube will be lined with FPI ProtoStar flocking paper to minimize internal reflections. Although the tube is large at 19" x 47", it weighs only 12 lbs and is incredibly stiff. The OTA components are CNC machined 6061 or stainless steel. The focuser to be used on the scope is a 3.5" Starlight Instruments motorized Feathertouch focuser. The mirror cell is an 18 point flotation cell. The primary mirror is collimated using a push pull configuration of 3/8" screws. The 16" is scheduled for first light at the of end January.

Please visit www.remote-scope.com to learn more about the system and to see a sample of some images acquired autonomously by the Remote Scope system.

I've attached a few images taken with the Tak FSQ/STL combo as well as a few images of unfinished components for the 16" RC.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have.

For a limited time, Remote Scope is available to AstroClassifieds users at the low rate of $20/hour. That rate is the best rate going for an Internet-based rental scope system!

Happy New Year!

- Dave Tandy

[BT Technologies]

Dave, this is an AWESOME price!! I also love the way your new RC is coming along. It looks like it is going to be an incredible performing scope. Do you know which camera you are going to use on it?

Originally Posted by dtandy

Welcome to the Remote Scope forum.

Remote Scope is a robotic, Internet-based astroimaging system. The observatory houses a Paramount ME, Tak FSQ106-ED and a STL-11000M with LRGB Ha filterset. The system is fully automated and can be remotely accessed by anyone with an Internet connection.

Soon to join the observatory is a custom-made, well baffled 16" Ritchey Chretien F6.4 astrograph. This telescope has diffraction limited optics made by Star Instruments. The tube is a hand fabricated (by me) carbon fiber composite tube with a honeycomb core. The tube will be lined with FPI ProtoStar flocking paper to minimize internal reflections. Although the tube is large at 19" x 47", it weighs only 12 lbs and is incredibly stiff. The OTA components are CNC machined 6061 or stainless steel. The focuser to be used on the scope is a 3.5" Starlight Instruments motorized Feathertouch focuser. The mirror cell is an 18 point flotation cell. The primary mirror is collimated using a push pull configuration of 3/8" screws. The 16" is scheduled for first light at the of end January.

Please visit www.remote-scope.com to learn more about the system and to see a sample of some images acquired autonomously by the Remote Scope system.

I've attached a few images taken with the Tak FSQ/STL combo as well as a few images of unfinished components for the 16" RC.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have.

For a limited time, Remote Scope is available to AstroClassifieds users at the low rate of $20/hour. That rate is the best rate going for an Internet-based rental scope system!

Happy New Year!

- Dave Tandy

[dtandy]

Brian,

I am most likely going to stick with the STL-11000M for the time being.

The system is working well. Last night I ran it from 5:50 PM until nearly 6 AM and it flawlessly acquired several dozen 5 minute images of NGC2237, IC434, M101 and M45.

Let me know if you want to take it for another spin sometime!

Dave

[budguinn]

Dave,

When I ever get all my duckies in a row, I may take you up on this. There are many objects that are not available from Oregon, but should be quite nice in the sky for your location....and this would be a nice way to grab 'em.

bud

[dtandy]

Bud,

Just let me know when you'd like to take the system for a spin.

I have attached an image of NGC 2237 that I shot last night. It is a composite of about 75 minutes each of RGB and 95 minutes of luminance. Seeing conditions were so-so due to a weather front but transparency was pretty decent.

Regards,

Dave

[dtandy]

Bud,

Here is a shot from the past couple of nights of IC 434 that is a composite of 40 minutes each of RGB and about 90 minutes of luminance.

It is cropped down to 1600 x 1200.

Regards,

Dave

[BT Technologies]

AWESOME images Dave!! I would like to be able to "play" around with your remote setup again and give it a "spin"!! We have had a lot of cloudy nights down here so perhaps your conditions are just a bit better than ours.