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An Amateur Astronomical Observatory
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 Welcome to the Carlton S. Perkins Observatory web site. My name is Bob Johnson and I am an amateur astronomer. This site and my amateur observatory (which is in the planning stage) are named in honor of my deceased step father who taught me a love for photography which nicely compliments my love of the stars. Please stop by from time to time as the site progresses to see what's new, to say "Hi" or to ask about the stars.
Also be sure to visit the Bay Colony Astronomical Society website and my "on line" club, "BayColony Astro on Line". If you have any questions about astronomy I'll be glad to try and answer them for you, or if I'm unable to answer them, direct you to a website/club/person who can! Wishing "ALL" Clear Skies and Happy Observing.
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THE OBSERVATORY - I am tentatively planning a relatively simple design for the building. A square structure of approximately 8'x 8' with a roll off roof. I may however increase the size to 8'x 16' to accomodate more equipment. Also the extra space will make it more roomy for multiple observers. I am currently planning to use my 10.1" Coulter Dobsonian as the main telescope and hopefully will be able to computerise it eventually, funds permitting. I will be using my 60mm f5 and 60mm f15 refractors and also my 4 1/2" dobsonian scope as well for club observing nights. A pair of 15 to 45 power by 60mm binoculars are also available for deep sky "stereo" viewing. In time I hope to be able to set things up for remote control viewing in warm comfort during the winter months. I'll update things here on the site as soon as they progress.
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OBSERVATORY UPDATE!
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Well things didn't quite go as planned! Happens that way to a lot of us I imagine. In any event, needing some storage for garden tools, lawnmowers etc. I ended up building a shed instead of an observatory! This project was completed in september of 2001. As it turns out though, the original shed isn't really big enough to store all that needs storing. So, starting in april of 2003, I began a second bigger shed. This one is 8'x8'x10'high with a gable roof. Plenty of space for everything this time. Now I have space to put telescopes and related items in the original shed. While only 6'x8' in size, with a standard sloping front to rear shed roof, it looks as though all will work out well astronomically speaking. The door faces south, where I do most of my observing. My 60mm refractor and 114mm reflector can use this opening for observing just fine. But my 10.1" Coulter dob is another story. I have tentative plans to open the whole front with a swing down panel, thus allowing the use of the bigger dob. Stay tuned! This may take a while however, as LOTS of other things must take priority unfortunately. I'll get a picture link up here as soon as possible. Lots of pics of the construction, my FIRST building ever!!!
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 Sun - CV-Helios
 Moon - All About The Moon
 Planets - The Nine Planets
 Asteroids - All About Asteroids
 Meteors - Meteor Astronomy
 Comets - Comets & Meteor Showers
Stars - The Constellations and their Stars
 Galaxies - Finnish Deep Sky Section
All Events from (c)Sky & Telescope Magazine
 This Weeks Sky
More from Sky & Tel
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Please visit some of these other fine astronomical sites too!
Astronomical League
Cape Cod Astronomical Society
South shore Astronomical Society
Martha's Vineyard Amateur Astronomy Club
Astronomical Society of Southern New England
Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston, Inc.
Amhearst Astronomy Assn.
Springfield(MA) Stars Club
North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club
Astronomy Day 2007/ New England
Back to my "Main Page"
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