Greiner Research Observatory

Construction and equipment details

Home of the The Minor Planet Project

Oak Valley Research Observatory

Oak Valley Research Observatory OVRO can be seen here. It houses a Paramount ME, 16" Meade OTA, FSQ106, SBIG STL-11000 

Yanna Research Station 

The Doc. G  Designed Roll off at YRS has a 12" pier mounted LX200 for more info on LX200 modifications and Observatory details feel free to visit Doc G's website. This is an excellent platform for astrophotography.  The Dome next to the roll off has a 12"LX200 that has a dedicated CCD camera and can be controlled from the warmth of the club house.

New Mexico Skies! WOW

If you ever have the chance to Visit NMS it's well worth the trip.  Lynn, Mike and Bowzer will take great care of you. A nice an well planed  out Telescope & Bed  retreat.  I stayed there I believe 5 different times from 2 days to a full week.  I normaly rent the Tak FCT-150 for most nights as well as a 12LX200 for piggyback shots.  I have used Canon DSLR's as well as STL-11000 monochrome and Color versions.

KITT PEAK

 Advanced Observing Program

A special thanks to Doc. G for making this possible!

Our  Kitt Peak visit was excellent even though the weather was not too good.  The first night we did the Nightly Observing Program and it was clear all night.  We got an introduction to the sky, although I knew most on the things they talked about it was a nice time and the wife learned quiet a bit. I  even saw M33 with Binos!  We got a chance to look through the 20" RC  which produced some spectacular viewing.

The next 2 nights I did  The Advanced Observing Program I  had originally planned on imaging with the 10D on the 20" RC and guiding with the Tak 106 and STV but the balance was too hard to obtain, therefore I was unable to do so :( bummer. So instead we used the 10XME camera.  Adam Block and I were up all night  trying to image through the (sucker holes) as they called them. The first night was a wash with only one single frame of exposure.  The second night  was a bit better although we were imaging through the smoke from the fires in California and the high winds 40+mph, we were the only dome open and imaging.  This is the only image that was completed from this night.

During my visit to New Mexico Skies in June 2004 I had the pleasure to spend some time with Ron Wodaski and attach a Canon DSLR to his scope, the first image from a DSLR on a 20" RC. You can see the results here:

Date: 06/2004   

Camera: Canon Modified 300D    Scope: 20" RC on Paramount ME (Thanks Ron)

Exposure: It was 10-3min exposures at ISO800. Processed in Images Plus and PS.

A 20" Ritchey-Chretien on a Paramount ME is now online and available for imaging. The setup includes an SBIG STL-11000 camera, filter wheel, all on a Paramount ME mount for the utmost in precision. You can sign up for a single hour, or in blocks of time at a discount. Click the link to learn how you can participate.