photorick's recent photos

The 155mm AP Starfire scope and mounting weight about 80 pounds. The two wheel cart is handy for transporting the scope and other hardware to the observing site.

2009-12-16T02:58:23Z

photorick
The 155mm AP Starfire scope and mounting weight about 80 pounds. The two wheel cart is handy for transporting the scope and other hardware to the observing site.

On the beach at Blind Pass just before sunset. It is VERY important to use the proper filters when doing any solar photography. An external aperture stop is added while the full sun is abo ...

2009-12-16T03:00:05Z

photorick
On the beach at Blind Pass just before sunset. It is VERY important to use the proper filters when doing any solar photography. An external aperture stop is added while the full sun is abo ...

Atmospheric refraction changes the apparent position of objects low on the horizon. For observers at low altitudes objects close to the horizon are actually about a half degree lower than t ...

2009-12-15T21:58:57Z

photorick
Atmospheric refraction changes the apparent position of objects low on the horizon. For observers at low altitudes objects close to the horizon are actually about a half degree lower than t ...

Some times an Inversion Layer is next to the Earth’s surface. This is a layer of less dense air that tends to bend the light rays upwards. This makes things appear lower in the sky. An ...

2009-12-15T22:03:51Z

photorick
Some times an Inversion Layer is next to the Earth’s surface. This is a layer of less dense air that tends to bend the light rays upwards. This makes things appear lower in the sky. An ...

Atmospheric refraction sheers the spectrum of objects low on the horizon so that a green rim appears on top and a red rim on bottom. The lower objects are the more refraction takes place. ...

2009-12-15T22:03:19Z

photorick
Atmospheric refraction sheers the spectrum of objects low on the horizon so that a green rim appears on top and a red rim on bottom. The lower objects are the more refraction takes place. ...

The atmosphere is denser near the surface than at higher altitudes. As light enters the air it’s refracted (bent) more and more as it gets closer the surface. The blue and green end of t ...

2009-12-17T03:49:23Z

photorick
The atmosphere is denser near the surface than at higher altitudes. As light enters the air it’s refracted (bent) more and more as it gets closer the surface. The blue and green end of t ...

98. Orion Nebula. This is an area where new stars are born.

2009-12-13T05:51:11Z

photorick
98. Orion Nebula. This is an area where new stars are born.

96. Horse Head Nebula. This nebula is located just below the left star in Orion’s belt.

2009-12-13T05:49:16Z

photorick
96. Horse Head Nebula. This nebula is located just below the left star in Orion’s belt.

94. Whirlpool Galaxy. These deep sky photos were taken with 80s film technology. That was before digital cameras and auto-guiders!

2009-12-16T23:43:33Z

photorick
94. Whirlpool Galaxy. These deep sky photos were taken with 80s film technology. That was before digital cameras and auto-guiders!

92. Lunar close up.

2009-12-13T05:50:49Z

photorick
92. Lunar close up.

90. Near first quarter Moon.

2009-12-13T05:50:49Z

photorick
90. Near first quarter Moon.

88. This observatory was a pleasure to use until we moved in the mid 90s. The scope and observatory were sold with the house.

2009-12-13T04:34:55Z

photorick
88. This observatory was a pleasure to use until we moved in the mid 90s. The scope and observatory were sold with the house.

86. There three instruments on the massive fork mounting. The largest telescope has a 16” f/4.8 reflector. The long white scope is a 7.5”, f/10 refractor. In addition to observing th ...

2009-12-13T04:34:11Z

photorick
86. There three instruments on the massive fork mounting. The largest telescope has a 16” f/4.8 reflector. The long white scope is a 7.5”, f/10 refractor. In addition to observing th ...

84. This night exposure of the observatory with the constellation Orion in the background was a little less than a minute long. The dome slot is only 5 ft wide, but by rotating the dome du ...

2009-12-13T04:31:26Z

photorick
84. This night exposure of the observatory with the constellation Orion in the background was a little less than a minute long. The dome slot is only 5 ft wide, but by rotating the dome du ...

82. The 100 pound mirror and cell assembly is carefully raised into position with a hydraulic jack and bolted in place.

2009-12-13T04:30:23Z

photorick
82. The 100 pound mirror and cell assembly is carefully raised into position with a hydraulic jack and bolted in place.

80. After the telescope was painted the mirror was installed in the mirror cell.

2009-12-13T04:29:22Z

photorick
80. After the telescope was painted the mirror was installed in the mirror cell.

78. The scope sits on top of the tower welded up in the basement. The position of the scope is adjusted with the 1-1/8” diameter bolts on top of the tower (bottom of photo).

2009-12-13T04:28:18Z

photorick
78. The scope sits on top of the tower welded up in the basement. The position of the scope is adjusted with the 1-1/8” diameter bolts on top of the tower (bottom of photo).

76. This astronomer is happy because 1200 pounds of telescope is out of the garage and in the observatory. The next weekend it snowed and it would have been months before I could have move ...

2009-12-13T04:27:06Z

photorick
76. This astronomer is happy because 1200 pounds of telescope is out of the garage and in the observatory. The next weekend it snowed and it would have been months before I could have move ...

74. Just reached the top of the hill with the truss tube in the trailer. The Gravely tractor has the engine in the rear, good for traction but not much weight on the front wheels. When th ...

2009-12-13T04:25:48Z

photorick
74. Just reached the top of the hill with the truss tube in the trailer. The Gravely tractor has the engine in the rear, good for traction but not much weight on the front wheels. When th ...

72. The telescope truss tube is ready for transport. The mirror cell is on the right. The ring in the middle is a 16 diameter clutch drum.

2009-12-13T04:23:51Z

photorick
72. The telescope truss tube is ready for transport. The mirror cell is on the right. The ring in the middle is a 16 diameter clutch drum.

70. Five of us carried the fork from the edge of slot to the center of the dome and connected it to the hoist on the tripod.

2009-12-13T04:22:40Z

photorick
70. Five of us carried the fork from the edge of slot to the center of the dome and connected it to the hoist on the tripod.

68. The heaviest part was the 480 pound fork. This was about the lifting limit of the tractor.

2009-12-13T04:21:53Z

photorick
68. The heaviest part was the 480 pound fork. This was about the lifting limit of the tractor.

66. MOVING DAY! A few friends gathered to help move the telescope parts up to the observatory. The parts were too large to fit through the door so they had to be passed through the dome s ...

2009-12-13T04:21:12Z

photorick
66. MOVING DAY! A few friends gathered to help move the telescope parts up to the observatory. The parts were too large to fit through the door so they had to be passed through the dome s ...

62. It took a week and a half of spare time to weld the 100 parts that make up the upper part of the telescope truss tube.

2009-12-13T04:19:24Z

photorick
62. It took a week and a half of spare time to weld the 100 parts that make up the upper part of the telescope truss tube.

60. It took almost 3 hours to fixture (position) the upper ring so the 8 truss struts could be welded in place. This involved three hydraulic jacks, a ladder and one tripod.

2009-12-13T04:18:08Z

photorick
60. It took almost 3 hours to fixture (position) the upper ring so the 8 truss struts could be welded in place. This involved three hydraulic jacks, a ladder and one tripod.

58. The upper part of the telescope truss tube is made of aluminum to help with tube balance. This part is the upper ring. I got a TIG welding attachment to weld the aluminum parts togeth ...

2009-12-13T04:51:29Z

photorick
58. The upper part of the telescope truss tube is made of aluminum to help with tube balance. This part is the upper ring. I got a TIG welding attachment to weld the aluminum parts togeth ...

57. After optically aligning the declination bearings to be at 90 degrees to the polar shaft the bearing mounts were welded to the ends of the fork.

2009-12-13T04:13:14Z

photorick
57. After optically aligning the declination bearings to be at 90 degrees to the polar shaft the bearing mounts were welded to the ends of the fork.

56. This is the bearing box that forms the central support for the truss tube that holds the telescope optics. The 3.5” diameter Declination shaves are welled off center to allow for add ...

2009-12-13T04:12:29Z

photorick
56. This is the bearing box that forms the central support for the truss tube that holds the telescope optics. The 3.5” diameter Declination shaves are welled off center to allow for add ...

54. Once the mounting base was completed the fork could be attached. The 7”, 60 pound bearing can be seen on the north end of the Polar shaft.

2009-12-13T04:10:52Z

photorick
54. Once the mounting base was completed the fork could be attached. The 7”, 60 pound bearing can be seen on the north end of the Polar shaft.

52. The 480 pound fork is completed except for welding on the Declination bearing mounts.

2009-12-13T04:10:00Z

photorick
52. The 480 pound fork is completed except for welding on the Declination bearing mounts.

50. The internal structure of the fork is shown in this photo.

2009-12-13T04:09:25Z

photorick
50. The internal structure of the fork is shown in this photo.

48. The fork mount for the telescope needs a large massive Polar shaft. This 7” diameter, 125 pound shaft was machined on my 14” engine lathe.

2009-12-13T04:08:43Z

photorick
48. The fork mount for the telescope needs a large massive Polar shaft. This 7” diameter, 125 pound shaft was machined on my 14” engine lathe.

46. With the observatory building complete work on the 16” reflecting telescope began. The 60 pound, 3” thick mirror blank was hand ground and polished over a six month period. Optica ...

2009-12-13T04:07:51Z

photorick
46. With the observatory building complete work on the 16” reflecting telescope began. The 60 pound, 3” thick mirror blank was hand ground and polished over a six month period. Optica ...

44. Completed observatory after observing deck was added. Flag pole rotates down during observing to prevent obstruction.

2009-12-13T04:06:28Z

photorick
44. Completed observatory after observing deck was added. Flag pole rotates down during observing to prevent obstruction.

42. Following the traditional design, the foundation and support for the telescope is separate from the building. This prevents building vibrations from being transmitted to the telescope. ...

2009-12-13T04:05:29Z

photorick
42. Following the traditional design, the foundation and support for the telescope is separate from the building. This prevents building vibrations from being transmitted to the telescope. ...

40. Shutter frame and dome skin are shown in this photo.

2009-12-13T04:03:46Z

photorick
40. Shutter frame and dome skin are shown in this photo.

38. Metal rails support the dome shutters when they are moved to the open position.

2009-12-13T04:02:54Z

photorick
38. Metal rails support the dome shutters when they are moved to the open position.

36. Fabricating the two shutters that cover the 5 foot wide observing slot.

2009-12-13T04:02:14Z

photorick
36. Fabricating the two shutters that cover the 5 foot wide observing slot.

34. The frame was completed with the addition of 26 minor ribs. Then high temper aluminum sheets were attached to form the dome covering.

2009-12-13T04:01:44Z

photorick
34. The frame was completed with the addition of 26 minor ribs. Then high temper aluminum sheets were attached to form the dome covering.

32. The two major ribs that form the dome slot are attached.

2009-12-13T04:00:51Z

photorick
32. The two major ribs that form the dome slot are attached.

30. The base ring was too large to transport with the tractor and trailer. The ring was large enough to park both the tractor and trailer inside. I was fortunate to have enough friends to ...

2009-12-13T03:59:43Z

photorick
30. The base ring was too large to transport with the tractor and trailer. The ring was large enough to park both the tractor and trailer inside. I was fortunate to have enough friends to ...

28. The garage filled up with large fabricated parts.

2009-12-13T03:56:17Z

photorick
28. The garage filled up with large fabricated parts.

26. For a number of reasons the 300 lb, 15.5 foot diameter base ring was built upside down. To flip the base ring over one edge was anchored between our two cars with cables and then the t ...

2009-12-13T03:55:52Z

photorick
26. For a number of reasons the 300 lb, 15.5 foot diameter base ring was built upside down. To flip the base ring over one edge was anchored between our two cars with cables and then the t ...

24. After the 14 foot square building was started the next step was to build the 15.5 foot diameter dome. The first step of dome construction is to make a base ring (bottom part of the dom ...

2009-12-13T03:54:42Z

photorick
24. After the 14 foot square building was started the next step was to build the 15.5 foot diameter dome. The first step of dome construction is to make a base ring (bottom part of the dom ...

22. After the ties were positioned they were pinned in place with 20” long stainless steel rods.

2009-12-13T03:53:05Z

photorick
22. After the ties were positioned they were pinned in place with 20” long stainless steel rods.

20. As a young boy I remember making a crane with my Erector Set and then using the crane to building a log cabin with Lincoln Logs. It took longer that way but it was more fun. Now that ...

2009-12-13T03:48:30Z

photorick
20. As a young boy I remember making a crane with my Erector Set and then using the crane to building a log cabin with Lincoln Logs. It took longer that way but it was more fun. Now that ...

18. The ties were used as retaining walls around the basement. The trailer mounted crane was used to help position the ties.

2009-12-13T03:47:05Z

photorick
18. The ties were used as retaining walls around the basement. The trailer mounted crane was used to help position the ties.

16. This step is often called “basic astronomy”. The observatory is on the edge of the hill and has a basement. This allowed for some storage and a level base. There was about 11 cub ...

2009-12-13T03:46:38Z

photorick
16. This step is often called “basic astronomy”. The observatory is on the edge of the hill and has a basement. This allowed for some storage and a level base. There was about 11 cub ...

15. After several hours of work with a power trencher the trench for the electrical service was completed. This allowed a 60 amp service wire to be buried and provide power to the new obse ...

2009-12-13T03:45:53Z

photorick
15. After several hours of work with a power trencher the trench for the electrical service was completed. This allowed a 60 amp service wire to be buried and provide power to the new obse ...

14. After the foundation supplies were up the hill I started to dig the foundation and burry the electrical service to the site. Notice East horizon is good for observing.

2009-12-13T03:44:30Z

photorick
14. After the foundation supplies were up the hill I started to dig the foundation and burry the electrical service to the site. Notice East horizon is good for observing.

13. The exciting part of the trip was near the top when the tractor drive wheels had almost no traction in the sandy soil and the weight of the 800 lb tractor, 300 lb trailer, and a 1200 lb ...

2009-12-12T23:21:38Z

photorick
13. The exciting part of the trip was near the top when the tractor drive wheels had almost no traction in the sandy soil and the weight of the 800 lb tractor, 300 lb trailer, and a 1200 lb ...

12. The routine was to park tractor and trailer at the bottom of the hill and walk the winch cable up the top of the hill and attach it to a steel rod cemented into the ground.

2009-12-12T23:19:10Z

photorick
12. The routine was to park tractor and trailer at the bottom of the hill and walk the winch cable up the top of the hill and attach it to a steel rod cemented into the ground.

11. Most of the time I could load 6 ties in the trailer for a trip up the hill.

2009-12-12T23:18:46Z

photorick
11. Most of the time I could load 6 ties in the trailer for a trip up the hill.

10. 65 used Railroad ties were purchased and that meant that close to 6 tons of ties had to be moved up the hill. The ties weighed about 200 pounds apiece, so I fabricated an “A” frame ...

2009-12-12T23:18:24Z

photorick
10. 65 used Railroad ties were purchased and that meant that close to 6 tons of ties had to be moved up the hill. The ties weighed about 200 pounds apiece, so I fabricated an “A” frame ...

09. There was about 8 tons of rock and sand transported up the hill to be used for concrete foundations. Having a dumping trailer was very useful. The car ramps helped get the materials i ...

2009-12-12T23:17:50Z

photorick
09. There was about 8 tons of rock and sand transported up the hill to be used for concrete foundations. Having a dumping trailer was very useful. The car ramps helped get the materials i ...

08. The hill presented a significant logistical problem when you think of moving tons of materials needed to build the new observatory and telescope. I built a dumping trailer and modified ...

2009-12-12T23:17:15Z

photorick
08. The hill presented a significant logistical problem when you think of moving tons of materials needed to build the new observatory and telescope. I built a dumping trailer and modified ...

07. Using the old telescope in a portable fashion was a little bit of a challenge due to its weight of several hundred pounds. When a friend saw this photo he said, “There goes Rick with ...

2009-12-12T23:16:41Z

photorick
07. Using the old telescope in a portable fashion was a little bit of a challenge due to its weight of several hundred pounds. When a friend saw this photo he said, “There goes Rick with ...

06. Our new house was next to a county park south of town. A 40 foot high hill in the back yard was a perfect place to build the new observatory. However, that hill presented a logistical ...

2009-12-12T23:15:55Z

photorick
06. Our new house was next to a county park south of town. A 40 foot high hill in the back yard was a perfect place to build the new observatory. However, that hill presented a logistical ...

05. It was an interesting trip to say the least, driving through the middle of Rochester NY on I-490 in the late afternoon. The dome was successfully installed at its new location.

2009-12-12T23:15:03Z

photorick
05. It was an interesting trip to say the least, driving through the middle of Rochester NY on I-490 in the late afternoon. The dome was successfully installed at its new location.

04. After a few years we decided to move south of town and build a house out in the country. I sold the first observatory and it was carted off on a car-carrying trailer.

2009-12-12T23:14:40Z

photorick
04. After a few years we decided to move south of town and build a house out in the country. I sold the first observatory and it was carted off on a car-carrying trailer.

03. This is a “bore shot” of the three scopes, 7.5” at 6:00, the 6” at 10:00 and the 8” is at 2:00.

2009-12-12T23:14:19Z

photorick
03. This is a “bore shot” of the three scopes, 7.5” at 6:00, the 6” at 10:00 and the 8” is at 2:00.

02. There were three scopes mounted on a classic German style mounting. An 8” f/10 reflector (made in high school) is on the back side in this view. The long scope in front is a 7.5” ...

2009-12-12T23:13:54Z

photorick
02. There were three scopes mounted on a classic German style mounting. An 8” f/10 reflector (made in high school) is on the back side in this view. The long scope in front is a 7.5” ...

01. The first observatory was 5/8 of a sphere and was 13 feet in diameter. The whole building rotates except the floor and the telescope mounting.

2009-12-12T23:13:30Z

photorick
01. The first observatory was 5/8 of a sphere and was 13 feet in diameter. The whole building rotates except the floor and the telescope mounting.

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2009-11-08T11:56:12Z

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2009-11-08T11:30:10Z

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2009-11-08T11:30:01Z

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2009-11-08T11:56:12Z

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2009-11-08T11:23:10Z

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