After the taking down of the observatory due to the deteriration in the end of 2007, I have been doing an effort to keep the same observation level with NJP equatorial being set in the garden (Normally being covered with a waterproofed canvas) and a portable oveservation system with EM-200 equatorial (MAFNET Observatory No.2). However, for a long focal telescope such as a Shumidt Cassgrain with a digital iamging system of high tecnology, it was very hard to run stably, by preparing whole the system, and close them down and took them a part every time I try to observe. Thus, I finally gave up my mind to use them.
If I got millions of Yen for my hobby, it would be easily resloved by setting up a dome on the top of the house, but that means it is hopeless under the condition that I have no way to build an observatory again for the time being, hi hi.
There what I need is a change of a way of thinking. A Columbus's egg.
** A downsizing in a large scale, so that I can easily setup and start observation anytime when I want.
A simple System (With a light equatrial),
A simple Way (using a One-shot-color Cooled CCD),
A simple Object (for a object which can be observed well with a short focal telescope) !
** Not chasing deep space with the highest technology ?, but get back to the original point of star watching, relaxing to enjoy the spacebeauty !!
Thus, I arrived at the MAFNET Observaory No.3, which I'm going to introduce here. (However, it is hard to call it "observaory" any more, hi hi.)
Down sizing is easy. All you have to do is to sell your equipments, hi hi. Thanks to down sizing. I could even renew the radio systems for amateur radio, and also could pay back some of the loan as well....
The MAFNET Observatory will hanging around the night sky achiving the streamlining in a good scale, till the time of reconstruction of the observatory dome in the future come.
2. Faciities of the MAFNET Observaory No.3, which could not be called an observatory any more.
| Equatorial | Takahashi | EM-11Tenma2Jr. |
| Tripod | Takahashi | Metal Tripod |
| Telescope | Tkahashi | Epsilon-160 (D:160mm f:528mm F:3.3) |
| Camera | SBIG | One shot color Cooled CCD, ST-2000XCM |
** Portable bags for observation equiments (Usually, I put thme at the entrance hall of the house)
** Takahashi Epsilon-160 (Differential focuser nstalled)
** Telescope band and Multi plate
** Takahashi EM-11 Tenma2Jr.
** Takahashi Metal tripod
** SBIG One shot color Cooled CCD, ST-2000XCM (Both DC power supply and AC power supply are prepared)
I added Takahashi's Vari-Tube and Badder's 2inch sleeve (I shorten the end about 7mm, and painted with frosted paint.) to the T-thread of ST-2000XCM. I screwed Takahashi's 2inch adaptor for Mulon 300 into the Epsilon-160.
With this system, the camera is easily to be set and release certainly and quickly. (No need to screw into. Free for rotation!)
** Homebrew power box using a deep cycle battery
DC-DC Converter from DC12V to DC24V is installed, and therefore Tenma2 Jr. could be run at X250 speed.
Connection box with twelve RCA jacks for DC12V supply.
A volt meter and acurrent meter are installed to oberve the load for the battery on a real-time basis. This is very usueful and helpful.
** Box for small tools for observation.
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