[Gold Mtn Observi...]

For several weeks now I have been trying to find the right thread to post my doings at my Viewing Center, and I guess, since this is about *backyard observatories*, I'd throw it here.

For years I wanted more then just to set up a personal observatory for my homemade 6"f/15, and his friends. I wanted a place were all my astro friends could come and set thier gear up, and view. I wanted a place that provided services, such as one would find at a major Star party.

After aquiring the 7 acre parcel next to mine, I decided that I would use it for two reasons. One:, for my dental office, and two:for my observing center.

It is a center, more so then an Observatory. I can't put my scope in an observatory, due to its hydraulic pier. No Domes Ob would work, and since the large building at GOMOC was intended to store the scope, I roll my scope out.

It was designed and build to be rolled. so as a unit, I roll it out to the observing site, from its storage garage. Plus I prefer to be under the stars. And being over 120" long, my OTA needs the room.

So I formed Gold Mtn Observing Center. Here in the Olympic nation Forest Water shed, in Washington St. I enjoy very nice mag 6+ skies.

Now to the Center.

My intent is to provide it to my local CN friends, and my local Astronomical groups for thier parties, and what not.

I have the large 30x45 main building that will house my scopes, and a boat .
Attached(actually part of) is a 15x30 finished,carpeted meeting room for lectures, and presentations. Plus I will store members scopes there. High speed internet and cable is there as well.

The smaller 25x25 building is the machine shop, were all manner of tinkering and scope fabrication will occure.


The main building is my dental office, which I will provide a furnished room upstairs for my out of town visitors...

Also on the grounds is a nice landscaped BBQ area. Power is provided through out the grounds at various locations, for those requiring it.

I just installed 1 1/2 acreas of grass for scope fields. Irrigation was installed, and seed planted. (Just waitng for the little greenies to star growing)

So this is what I am up too. Creating a place for any, who want dark skies in a secure location.

I'll post some images.

Here is the entrance. Privacy trees were retained, and a security gate installed.

Rob
GOMOC

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[Gold Mtn Observi...]

Here is an image just after loggin the scope field. This is looking NorthEast and the back of my office

Rob
GOMOC

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[Gold Mtn Observi...]

This final image shows the front of GOMOC. Note the BBQ area to the center right. the two buildings to the left. Front one is shop, and the back on(hard to see) is the main Center building. The large paved pad is used for scope set up.

You can see the seeded areas(dirt)..

To the left is my horse corral, and dog kennal. (Danes)

That *thing* in the forground middle is a grape press. I also have a vinyard.

Just the other side of the office is a horseshoe pit, and there are miles of trails for horse back riding.

I try to provide things to do during the day for visitors..BBQ, horseshoes, riding, visiting, before the nights viewing. Planing can be done in the meeting room, where there is a library, astro charts, maps, and globes

Thanks for visiting, and any comments will be welcome.

Rob
GOMOC

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[Ron Walker]

WOW!! What more can I say. I especially like the vineyard nearby for those cloudy nights Makes me want to start buying lottery tickets again. Add a planetarium and you'll have a full scale science center.

Congratulations on a truly unique and, hopefully, well used facility.

[Gold Mtn Observi...]

WOW!! What more can I say. I especially like the vineyard nearby for those cloudy nights Makes me want to start buying lottery tickets again. Add a planetarium and you'll have a full scale science center.

Congratulations on a truly unique and, hopefully, well used facility.

I have roughly 6 friends who will be using it often..plus my local astronomical assoc. wants a local site. They have to travel over 2-3 hours to find suitible skies, and amentities. I'm just down the road..

Plus it's free to anyone. Just schedual the time, and you're welcome.

It is also the grounds for my dental office, so I will be there every day..
Thanks for your comments, and encouragement.

Since I own 14 acers, I wanted it to go to more use then just growing trees.

The highlight of the Center is my 6"f/15 pictured here.

Rob
GOMOC

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[Ron Walker]

Nice scope. I especially like your counterweight solution on your GEM.

[Gold Mtn Observi...]

Nice scope. I especially like your counterweight solution on your GEM.

Thanks.
The 2 1/4" counter shaft made it quite easy to forgo the usual counterweights, and add another scope. Apart form going with the typical piggyback arrangement, I wanted to give myself some leeway for other options.

Plus I have quite a bit lateral ability with this design. I can find any off axis star I want, since the scope is on an axis within the shaft..

Rob
GOMOC

[SometimesKen]

Now there's a place to make a "road trip" worth while!
If I'm ever in your area I'll be sure to stop by! (for a week or 2 LOL )

Thanks for sharing & Good Luck!
Ken

[Gold Mtn Observi...]

Now there's a place to make a "road trip" worth while!
If I'm ever in your area I'll be sure to stop by! (for a week or 2 LOL )

Thanks for sharing & Good Luck!
Ken

Ken..I have been following your thread, and admit you tackled many obstacles, and did it with flair..

It appears we both needed to do some forestry maintenence, and the way you addressed your Dome was pleasing to watch. Good job!

If you are ever up in my neck of the woods, you' re welcome to stay as long as you like. I will even put you up in a fully furnished room I have set aside for my out of town visitors, up in my office....

If you RV, then place is also available.

Hey, I got some of my CN buddies working on a LOGO sign for GOMOC. Maybe you want to put your hand at designing a sign, that I can have made to put at the street??

Throw out some ideas...

Rob
GOMOC

[Gold Mtn Observi...]

Well, we work fast round here..

After some deliberation, I settled on this Logo design for Gold Mtn Observing Center.

It will be for the street sign, as well as for the Center building.

What'd you think??

Rob
GOMOC

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 Gold_Mtn_Logo.jpg ( 52.34k ) Number of downloads: 3

 

[Ron Walker]

At first I was going to say, "Your going to need a bigger scope!", but then looking at the kids, it kind of fits.

Looks good!

[Strgzr]

At first I was going to say, "Your going to need a bigger scope!", but then looking at the kids, it kind of fits.

Looks good!

Well he has a bigger scope! All ten feet of it! I guess that one wouldn't fit on the sign Though? Eh Rob.

Looking good Rob!

[Gold Mtn Observi...]

At first I was going to say, "Your going to need a bigger scope!", but then looking at the kids, it kind of fits.

Looks good!

Well after thinking about it, I figured the scope wasn't the driving issue of the advertizement...

Sure if I posted an image of my scope I may be getting the wrong point across .
A friend of mine reminded me that I was creating a Family place, and people feel better knowing kids are allowed.

Sure, that seasoned jentleman is only using a 60mm f/16 Tasco, but that makes a good learning scope...

We'll wait for visitors to acclimate before we spring LBM(Little Big Man) on them..

I saw some fringes of green on the field today.....That means grass is growing..

Rob
GOMOC

[Gold Mtn Observi...]

Well he has a bigger scope! All ten feet of it! I guess that one wouldn't fit on the sign Though? Eh Rob.

Looking good Rob!

Thanks Andy. I've found that an Observing Center is a bit different than..say..an observatory. People are encouraged to bring their own gear, and if need be,can work on thier scopes, and use the library.

My scope will actually be available to more folks, outside of an observatory, then within one. PLus it's not about me, but my guests. It's for them. And most fellow A/A's are mindful to respect each others gear, and since such places are fiew and far between, I encourage many repeat visitors.

I want to help people build thier own scopes too...
It is a dream come true....

Thanks for posting.

Rob
GOMOC

[SteveDurham]

That is a Great looking logo. Is it "in stone" yet??

I'd rather not go thru the process of turning it into embroidery if you think it might change. It would look good on the front of a nice shirt....

me

Oh, by the way...it would not surprise me if it cost less than having a name placed on one of your work smocks....

[Ron Walker]

Rob,

Your doing something very special for people and should be congratulated! Glad to see your dream is coming true!

[Gold Mtn Observi...]

That is a Great looking logo. Is it "in stone" yet??

I'd rather not go thru the process of turning it into embroidery if you think it might change. It would look good on the front of a nice shirt....

me

Oh, by the way...it would not surprise me if it cost less than having a name placed on one of your work smocks....

Hey..wait a minute...That sounds good.

I could get some T shirts made up too.

I wonder how much that would cost???

I'm planning on keeping this Logo. It says what I want to say.

We are an Observing Center, and that encourages people to bring thier gear to a dark site, and Observe. Along with the amenities, it is hard to beat. And so close to all my friends, and Local Astro group. No more, going 2-3 hours to just set up in a parking lot.

Rob(T shirts..great idea)
GOMOC

[Gold Mtn Observi...]

Rob,

Your doing something very special for people and should be congratulated! Glad to see your dream is coming true!

I'm sure you can agree with me that far to many A/A's have no good place to go to to view. They need to travel for hours, without any assurance of safety, or even availability. What am I going to do with 14 acres.... but use it for the benefit of others.

It is the shear pleasure watching folks enjoy themselves freely, and setting up their gear without fear of some *Unknown* fiddling with it, while they are off checkin other's gear out.

A place intimate, and yet large enough for bigger groups.
I like the idea that local groups can come and hold their own meetings, unencumbered by unwanted light, or visitors.

Sure mag 6+ skies are not that great, but in the world we live in that is becoming harder to find. And those 3-4 hour trips are becoming more necessary. If I can keep those folks closer to home, and still get the quality viewing they desire , then I have succeeded.. I live in an area that has a land management law in effect. Meaning no one can build a single family dwelling on anything less then 10 acres. and since all the property around here is already developed....I ain't getting any new neighbours.

Thanks for posting.

Rob
GOMOC

[SteveDurham]

At first I was going to say, "Your going to need a bigger scope!", but then looking at the kids, it kind of fits.

Looks good!

YOU ARE TOO FUNNY!!!!! Last time I heard anything like that was in JAWS. "....need a bigger BOAT!!"

[SteveDurham]

I'm planning on keeping this Logo. It says what I want to say.

Rob(T shirts..great idea)
GOMOC

I'll get right on it....I should have some close numbers for you tomorrow. I'll PM them when they are ready.