22"Dob Debut Sidewalk Astro x Oct :)

Alright, this is for sharing of your observation experience. Or, if you are arranging gatherings, star-gazing expeditions or just want some company to go observing together, you can shout it out here.
User avatar
rlow
Posts: 2397
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:36 pm
Location: Jurong

22"Dob Debut Sidewalk Astro x Oct :)

Post by rlow »

Hi folks

we are planning for a Special Sidewalk Astronomy Event on x Oct 2014, weather pending.

whereby we will have the debut appearance of the following scope:

Image

It is technically not a "new" scope and first light has been done. And currently, it is still a work-in-progress.

Would anyone be interested to come and observe? Can anyone suggest a good public location where we can set up the scope near the car?

Will be posting more details shortly.
Last edited by rlow on Sat Oct 04, 2014 12:59 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Richard Low
User avatar
acc
Administrator
Posts: 2572
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 11:15 pm
Favourite scope: Mag1 Instruments 12.5" Portaball

Re: Dob Debut Sidewalk Astro 3 or 4 Oct (not-new-scope event

Post by acc »

Wow!
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
User avatar
antares2063
Posts: 687
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 3:34 pm
Favourite scope: Newtonians
Location: Bedok North Street 2, Singapore

Re: Dob Debut Sidewalk Astro 3 or 4 Oct (not-new-scope event

Post by antares2063 »

Nice...how high a ladder does one need to reach the ep height? XD

I guess for open space with road that are relatively dark....margaret Drive? i dunno exactly where as i dont drive...

Regards,
Junwei
Last edited by antares2063 on Wed Oct 01, 2014 11:38 pm, edited 3 times in total.
I miss the place where stars shine bright, to gaze upwards in awe of the sight
User avatar
starfinder
Posts: 1038
Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 11:15 pm
Location: River Valley / Tanglin Road
Contact:

Re: Dob Debut Sidewalk Astro 3 or 4 Oct (not-new-scope event

Post by starfinder »

Congrats, Richard!!!

I believe it's the first telescope in Singapore to exceed 0.5m in aperture!

Why not give it some technical-based name, like HM-DSSTT or Half Metre Deep Sky Survey Tropical Telescope.

Definitely must go down to see it!
User avatar
rlow
Posts: 2397
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:36 pm
Location: Jurong

Re: Dob Debut Sidewalk Astro 3 or 4 Oct (not-new-scope event

Post by rlow »

Thanks Gavin. Exceed by about 58mm. No name yet, maybe someone may like to suggest a short & simple name?

Junwei, two-step would do, but for sidewalk outreach, I just bought a taller 5-step ladder.

Yeah, wow indeed. This scope had been six years in the making. I designed it and originally intended to build it myself but due to my busy work schedule, I got a friend in USA to build it for me based on my design. I'm still finetuning some details.
Richard Low
User avatar
antares2063
Posts: 687
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 3:34 pm
Favourite scope: Newtonians
Location: Bedok North Street 2, Singapore

Re: Dob Debut Sidewalk Astro 3 or 4 Oct (not-new-scope event

Post by antares2063 »

cool...hopefully can get visa to join u guys to peek thru...

suggestion :

ECHOES -
Extremely cool (or colossal) handmade optical exploration scope

regards
Junwei
Last edited by antares2063 on Thu Oct 02, 2014 10:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
I miss the place where stars shine bright, to gaze upwards in awe of the sight
User avatar
rlow
Posts: 2397
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:36 pm
Location: Jurong

Re: Dob Debut Sidewalk Astro 3 or 4 Oct (not-new-scope event

Post by rlow »

Thanks Junwei. Keep the suggestions coming...

The beauty of this scope is that it is a one-person dob, ie, I can bring, carry and setup the scope by myself. I move it around with a trolley, and no ramps are needed to load it into my car. My car was chosen with this scope in mind, and it fits into my car with sufficient space to carry even up to five passengers together with this dob. It takes up about the same amount of space as my 15" dob in my car.
Richard Low
User avatar
acc
Administrator
Posts: 2572
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 11:15 pm
Favourite scope: Mag1 Instruments 12.5" Portaball

Re: Dob Debut Sidewalk Astro 3 or 4 Oct (not-new-scope event

Post by acc »

Labrador Park might be a good option except on nights with strong winds when sea spray might be of a concern. Another option is Marina Bay East Gardens (at Tg. Rhu).
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
User avatar
starfinder
Posts: 1038
Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 11:15 pm
Location: River Valley / Tanglin Road
Contact:

Re: Dob Debut Sidewalk Astro 3 or 4 Oct (not-new-scope event

Post by starfinder »

How about:

"TTimothy"
Twenty-Two Inch Massive Optical Telescope for HeavenlY views

Or, for brevity:
"TTIM"
Twenty-Two Inch Masterpiece.

(considering who the mirror maker is, 'masterpiece' would not be an exaggeration.)

Btw, special request for the evenings of your 3rd or 4th Oct sidewalk:
Globulars: M22, M15, M13, M92, M2, M4.
Planetaries: M27, M57, NGC7293.
Nebulae: M8, M17.
Open Clusters: M11, M7, NGC6231.

I'm sure the TTIM would be able to cut through the city lights easily!
User avatar
antares2063
Posts: 687
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 3:34 pm
Favourite scope: Newtonians
Location: Bedok North Street 2, Singapore

Re: Dob Debut Sidewalk Astro 3 or 4 Oct (not-new-scope event

Post by antares2063 »

ELATED -
Extremely large aperture transportable exquisite dobsonian

:P
I miss the place where stars shine bright, to gaze upwards in awe of the sight
Post Reply