Hello from the North Star State + 2 Questions Introduce yourself! · Chase Newtson · ... · 8 · 316 · 1

Official greetings to everyone!

While I have been on this site for a couple years now, I have never introduced myself.  Is there a cutoff for this type of thing? haha

A bit about me not related to Astro
My name is Chase and I have been living in the northwestern cities of Minneapolis, MN (a lovely bortle 7 pushing 8 area), all my life.  During this time I have found passions in a large variety of hobbies.  With Minnesota being a state with... pretty harsh and long winters, I naturally found great enjoyment in snowboarding during these 5 months of cold weather.  As a pastime I enjoy playing my guitars, or the latest videogames, and visiting the family lake (Bortle 5 but never imaged there) during summer weekends.  I am also a gearhead, and will take any opportunity to work on my car, partake in car shows, or just find an excuse to drive somewhere for a fun daytrip on a nice day.  I also love camping and wildlife photography and always try to find new areas in darker skies to bring my portable rig with and also image new and interesting wildlife.  Lately, every year I have gone up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota, an absolutely gorgeous area in a mostly bortle 1 sky.  I highly recommend visiting if you enjoy camping and canoeing!

The bit about me related to Astro
Astronomy has been my greatest interest for almost as long as I can remember.  However, I didn't start thinking about astrophotography until I was in my mid 20s, with serious thoughts on potentially purchasing equipment in my late 20s.  The event that pushed me over that slippery slope was on my 30th birthday in 2020 when a group of my friends surprised me with the funds that they all chipped in to help me purchase my first telescope.  That is where my Orion ED80T CF telescope came in and the rest is history..  I have been in love with this hobby ever since, despite the light pollution and my current yard (has no Southern or Eastern view).  While it has been a fun and rewarding experience, along with frustration from time to time, I am looking forward to my future in this hobby.  

My future in the Hobby
I am very excited to say that I just had my offer accepted on a new house!  I will be moving further west into a bortle 5 area in early May, and my new backyard faces westward away from the nearby small town (still bortle 5) to my east.  The yard is tree free and has unobstructed views of the sky from my south all the way to my north.  I am beyond excited for this!  I can't wait to take my first images from this new location.

Question Relating to my Move
Light pollution - As I am currently in a bortle 7/8 area, I naturally use the Optolong L-Pro for my broadband imaging (ASI294 MC Pro), would you recommend I continue to use this in a bortle 5 (19.97 Mag/arcsec)?  Or do you think I would be better off moving to my UV/IR filter?  I would not be imaging over the town to my east, and the west is farmland after another half mile or so of neighborhoods.

Observatory - Also, this may just be me dreaming, but has anyone converted a normal 10x12 wooden shed into a roll off observatory?  I feel it may be too difficult to convert a prebuilt shed as opposed to buying and building up a new roll off observatory..  The shed is new and in good condition.

Thank you on any opinions you may have!
Clear Skies!

-Chase

andrea tasselli:

Especially if the LP is due to LED lighting.

Thanks!

I didn't even think of LED lighting... that's a very good point to consider..  I'll have to see what kind of city lighting it has around town, and streets.

Hi Chase,
I live in an area just north of Albuquerque, New Mexico, with a Bortle-divided sky - Bortle 5-6 east of meridian, and Bortle 4 west, so I shoot predominantly west. I use the Optolong Pro for everything, with good results.

On the question of a roll-off, my good friend Terry and I converted an 8x10 TuffShed into a roll-off observatory. We asked TuffShed to redesign the roof section so that it would be 'toe-nailed' onto the frame body instead of permanently attached when the shed was delivered and assembled. Building the roll-off frame was not difficult, and was an enjoyable project.

If you'd like more information and/or images, my email address is:  [email][email protected][/email]

 - - Steve

Hi Chase, 
Is it absolutely 100% water tight? No. When we get our monsoon rains in the summer, they’re typically delivered with 30-50mph winds, so the occasional drip does make it at one of the corners, but nothing objectionable. The black rubber stripping (6”x1/4”) that covers the wheel/rail gap is very effective at keeping everything out. All the equipment is safely away from the corners. 

In addition, I run a 6” strip of 1/4” insulation foam around the interior of the gap as added protection against the dust that can fly when the winds get stupid, something I don’t think you would need to worry about. 

Yes, Dilbert keeps a close eye out for interlopers. I actually did have a Great Horned Owl land on the observatory edge one night - while I was IN IT!😳😳  - required an immediate change of underwear!😂

Chase Newtson:
While we don't get monsoons, I do have to live with seasonal temp swings from low 100s in summer to negative temps 20 below 0 Fahrenheit in winter..  along with storms that do bring pretty strong winds and rainfall.  I have some planning to do, and will definitely think of the best way to watertight everything to the best of my ability.  I will also look into full insulation I think.  I do have a telegizmo 365 cover that could makes a good secondary protection.

We can get a couple of 100+ -degree days in the summer, but generally in the '90s in July and early August. As long as no rain is forecast, I'll slide the roof back about 2 feet in the morning for ventilation, and then fully open it at least 2 hours before any imaging session. I'm going to install Owens Corning "Pink Panels" between the roof joists this summer, just as added heat prevention.