[Atmob-discuss] Land for a club observatory?

Wed Mar 19 11:30:15 EDT 2008

I have been listening to this with interest. I can attest that the sky 
conditions in that area are actually quite good, and have been observing 
from the area since 1991. Not as dark as northern Maine.. but who wants 
to drive that far? The Milky way is very bright and sharp on a clear 
night there. This is 75 minutes from the NH border on 93 north. Who 
knows, someday when I may sell my place in NH, I could even move my 32 
inch scope to this location and join in, and make it useable by all. The 
ultimate decision of course is Bernie Volz as he owns the land (nice to 
see he is finally doing something astronomical!), but if set up 
cureectly, this could be a great location for you guys, and the club in 
general.

Mario

Buonomo, John wrote:
>  
> What are the 1st steps to making this a reality? :)
>
> I think that a picture speaks a thousand words...
>
> This comparison show's the difference in the night sky from my
> observatory in Billerica MA and a site in Hillsboro NH which appears to
> be about the same for sky conditions
> http://www.astronight.com/lp.htm
>
>
> -John
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: atmob-discuss-bounces at atmob.org
> [mailto:atmob-discuss-bounces at atmob.org] On Behalf Of Neil Fleming
> Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 10:06 PM
> To: Peter Bealo; Buonomo, John; Bernie Volz (volz); ATMoB
> Subject: Re: [Atmob-discuss] Land for a club observatory?
>
> I dunno about you guys, but while "pristine" would be great merely
> "dark" would work for me too.
>
> I think I'd place the following items higher on the criteria list:
>  - Physical security / someone close by
>  - Emergency response (like open/close roof) / someone really close by
> <g>.
>  - Access to power
>  - Access to internet, or barring that, cell phone coverage for cellular
> broadband
>
> I'll have to think some more, but most of the other items would be
> design elements independent of location.
>
>    ...Neil
>
> --- Peter Bealo <pbealo at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>   
>> FWIW: Bernie's place is LOTS closer, but I own some truly dark sky 
>> land in Moxie Gore Maine that might be interesting. The "only" issues 
>> are: A) Its 3 hours away near the Kennebec River B) Its ~ 6 miles from
>>     
>
>   
>> the nearest power and phone line...
>>
>> But it IS very dark. No town of any size closer than 30 or 40 miles.
>>
>> Peter
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: atmob-discuss-bounces at atmob.org
>> [mailto:atmob-discuss-bounces at atmob.org] On Behalf Of Buonomo, John
>> Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 9:51 PM
>> To: Bernie Volz (volz); Neil Fleming; ATMoB
>> Subject: Re: [Atmob-discuss] Land for a club observatory?
>>
>>  Neil, Bernie, ...
>>
>> I  would be interested in building a remote observatory in NH
>>
>> look at this idea...
>>  I know a group of astronomers in SC, Hap Griffin, and Gene Hunter (I 
>> CO sysop a web site with Gene, http://www.astrophotogallery.org/ )
>>
>> Gene has been building a site for observing with other local 
>> astronomers and astrophotographers  http://www.machunter.org
>>
>> After Talking with Gene and seeing what they did, I started thinking 
>> about something like this around here with local observers, I was 
>> going to post this idea to NHAS and ATMoB
>>
>> I would be willing to offer what I can, in skill, equipment and money,
>>     
>
>   
>> I am wondering if you and others would be interested?
>>
>> They worked 2 astronomers per observatory, and they are now up to 5 
>> observatories..
>> Some with showers and mini kitchens
>> It works well for them..
>>
>> -John
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: atmob-discuss-bounces at atmob.org
>> [mailto:atmob-discuss-bounces at atmob.org] On Behalf Of Bernie Volz 
>> (volz)
>> Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2008 11:50 PM
>> To: Neil Fleming; ATMoB
>> Subject: Re: [Atmob-discuss] Land for a club observatory?
>>
>> I own about 40 acres of land near my house in Center Harbor, NH. As 
>> there is a right-of-way across it to another parcel, and that person 
>> is building a single house (they own about 50 acres), I've been 
>> thinking that it might be a nice site for some 
>> observing/observatories. A driveway is going in (it is about .75 miles
>>     
>
>   
>> long) for the house. The area has good skies (Mario has his NH 32" 
>> nearby).
>> There will be good
>> access to power and one could easily bring in Internet (via cable).
>> There would be some infrastructure costs (to clear land and build a 
>> driveway, etc). There is a ridge, so there are some higher places 
>> easily accessible.
>>
>> It may be something I'd entertain. My current plan for the land is to 
>> leave it be (other than what's required for the neighbor's driveway), 
>> but I've been thinking ...
>>
>> ---
>>
>> You might also want to speak with Gary Walker. He bought a place on a 
>> hilltop about 30 years ago and in talking to him a while back I 
>> distinctly got the impression that he probably won't have done it 
>> again because with the newer equipment - such as CCD cameras - you 
>> really don't need pristine skies and having immediate access (no 
>> several hour
>> commute) more than makes up for the difference in sky conditions.
>>
>> (I live nearby the land, so travel isn't an issue for me.)
>>
>> ---
>>
>> If you are still interested and a 10-15 minute ride from Exit 24 on 
>> I-93 (mile marker 76) sounds like it could meet your needs, let's talk
>>     
>
>   
>> sometime.
>>
>> - Bernie
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: atmob-discuss-bounces at atmob.org
>> [mailto:atmob-discuss-bounces at atmob.org] On Behalf Of Neil Fleming
>> Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2008 7:27 PM
>> To: ATMoB
>> Subject: [Atmob-discuss] Land for a club observatory?
>>
>> I'd sure love to set up some gear remote from Westwood.  I think that 
>> our clubhouse area is on some sort of lease arrangement.  Anyone know 
>> of something within a couple of hours of Boston that we could 
>> acquire/long-term lease and get something going?
>>
>>    ...Neil
>>
>> www.flemingastrophotography.com
>>   Direct from Boston - brilliant diamonds in pea soup
>>   Also check out the astro_narrowband Yahoo group!
>>
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>
> www.flemingastrophotography.com
>   Direct from Boston - brilliant diamonds in pea soup
>   Also check out the astro_narrowband Yahoo group!
>
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