MORNING STAR OBSERVATORY
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  • Astrophotography
  • The Observatory
    • The New Observatory
    • - About the ExploraDome
    • - About the Lancaster Dome
    • - Building the Lancaster Dome
    • Some Days Are Better Than Others
  • Equipment
    • Cameras >
      • Celestron 5-1/2" Schmidt Camera
      • Orion Starshoot Pro
      • QSI 683WS
      • Raspberry Pi Allsky Camera
      • ZWO ASI120MM-S
      • ZWO ASI178MM
      • ZWO ASI183MC
      • ZWO ASI294MC Pro
    • Eyepieces
    • Filters >
      • Orion Nautilus Filter Wheel
    • Mounts >
      • Orion HDX-110 (EQ-8) >
        • New HDX-110 Setup
        • Orion HDX110 EQ-8
    • Observatory Computers
    • Telescopes >
      • Astro-Tech AT6RC
      • Celestron C-11 XLT
      • Orion ST-80 Refractor
      • Zhumell 152mm Refractor
  • Projects
    • Arduino Focuser
    • Celestron 5-1/2" Schmidt Camera Mod
    • C11 XLT Mods
    • Orion SSPRO Camera >
      • Disassembled Views
      • Noise Reduction Mod
      • Temp Controller Mod
    • Ultima 8 Mods
    • Zhumell Refractor Mods
  • Non-Astronomy
    • Amateur Radio >
      • Boat Anchor Radios >
        • BC-348N Receiver
        • Collins 51J4 HF Receiver
        • R-392 HF Receiver
      • DIY >
        • Station Boom Microphone
      • Ameco >
        • Ameco AC-1
        • Ameco OCM
        • Ameco PT-2
        • Ameco R5A
      • Heathkit >
        • Heathkit SB-102 Station
      • Knight-Kit >
        • Knight Kit Span Master II
      • Yaesu FT-817 >
        • Yaesu FT-817ND
        • LDG Z-817 Autotuner
        • Windcamp LiPo Battery
    • Antique Radios >
      • Building A Radio Workbench
      • Radio Dial Neon Clock
      • Radios >
        • Crosley 11-104U
        • Echophone EC-1
        • Eddystone EC-10 MK I
        • Eltz Radione 2
        • Lafayette KT-200 Shortwave Receiver
        • Panasonic RF-5000A
        • Silvertone Model 4465
        • Troubador Model 2401 Walnut Bakelite
        • Troubador Model 0-71 Ivory Deco Bakelite AM/SW
        • Truetone Model D1011 Stratoscope
        • 1938 Zenith 6-S-254
    • Geiger Counters >
      • AN/PDR-27G Radiac Set
      • Lionel CD V-700 Geiger Counter
      • RCA WF-12A Geiger Counter
    • Test Equipment >
      • DIY Test Equipment >
        • DIY Curve Tracer
        • DIY Signature Tracer
      • Military Test Equipment >
        • BC-221-AF Frequency Meter
        • LM-21 Frequency Meter
        • TS-323/UR Frequency Meter
        • TS-465 C/U Sweep Generator
        • TS-505D/U VTVM
        • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
      • Tube Testers >
        • Alternating Current Sink
        • Drug Store Tester
        • EMC Model 200 Tube Tester
        • Hickok Model 6000A Tube Tester
        • Hickok OZ-1 (550X)
        • Precise Model 111 Tube Tester
        • Precision Model 10-12
        • Supreme Model 385
        • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
      • VTVMs and Multimeters >
        • B&K Model 290 Hi-Low FET Multimeter
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
        • Hickok Model 370 FET Multimeter
        • McMurdo Silver VOMAX 900
        • Micronta 22-220 FET Multimeter
        • Simpson 360-2 Digital FET DMM
        • TS-505D/U VTVM
      • Hickok >
        • Hickok 19X RF Generator
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
        • Hickok 288X RF Generator
        • Hickok Model 370 FET Multimeter
        • Hickok OZ-1 (550X)
        • Hickok 6000A Tube Tester
      • Simpson >
        • Simpson 360 DMM
        • Simpson 360-2 DMM
        • Simpson 480 Genescope
      • Supreme Instruments >
        • Supreme 385 Automatic
        • Supreme 560 Vedolyzer
        • Supreme 560A Vedolyzer
        • Supreme Model 561 AF/RF Generator
        • Supreme's Model 562 Audolyzer
        • Supreme Model 562 Audolyzer circa 1941
        • Supreme Model 562 Audolyzer circa 1946
        • Supreme Model 563 Audio Generator
        • Supreme Model 576 RF Generator
        • Supreme Model 666 AF/RF Generator
      • Other Test Equipment >
        • Heathkit IT-28 Capacitor Tester
        • Rider 162 Chanalyst
        • Tektronix 326 O'scope
        • VU-Data Model 941B Oscilloscope
    • ---------------
    • Fossils
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Star Trek >
      • Star Trek Rock Mood Lamp
      • Star Trek Communicator
Picture

N 39.2° | W 78.9°
1120 ft EL

The original Morning Star observatory was built in 2009 in Virginia and was an 8' diameter Exploradome with a small warm room attached to the main structure. It housed a Celestron C-11 and an Astro-Tech AT6RC astrograph with one of several CCD cameras. It was dismantled in 2017 when I retired and moved to West Virginia.
The first MSO...

​The new observatory dome will be the 12-1/2' metal "Lancaster" dome I've had stored for the last decade. It's construction is a lot more involved than that of the smaller one-piece Exploradome I was using.
Building The Dome
Picture
Our new location for the observatory is at about 1100 feet elevation nestled in the South Branch Valley of the Potomac Highlands of WV. The valley's ridges, which run more or less North to South, are around 2000 to over 2600 feet high to the East and West of the new location. This is a view looking to the West. The observatory will be built out in the field.
Picture
This is a view looking East from the observatory site.
This site has borderline Bortle Class 3 skies according to a couple of online conversion charts for converting SQM readings to the Bortle Scale. I've been taking SQM meter readings occasionally in the field and the average sky quality is reading around 21.32 so far. Once things settle down I'll start taking SQM readings on a more regular basis to get a better picture of how the skies vary from season to season.
New Observatory

I'm also unpacking equipment in the lab for testing and updates, and to get all the control software setup on my workstations.
HDX-110 Mount Setup
Observatory Computers
QSI 683WS CCD Camera
ZWO ASI120 CMOS Camera
ZWO ASI178 CMOS Camera
ZWO ASI294MC Pro Camera
Arduino Moonlite Focuser
Raspberry Pi AllSky Camera

moon phases


The layout for the pages on this website are best viewed on a desktop PC. The mobile views usually look OK, but sometimes not so much. I've just learned to live with it, being it's a free website provider and all.
​

​
​Disclaimer: The information contained on this and related pages is believed to be accurate, but no guarantees are expressed or implied. Any information on these pages should be considered "as-is" and the reader is completely responsible for the way it is used.

​
​The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork... Psalm 19:1

​Copyright © 2011-2023 Stephen Statts, All Rights Reserved
(Last update to this page - 9/15/2023)
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  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Astrophotography
  • The Observatory
    • The New Observatory
    • - About the ExploraDome
    • - About the Lancaster Dome
    • - Building the Lancaster Dome
    • Some Days Are Better Than Others
  • Equipment
    • Cameras >
      • Celestron 5-1/2" Schmidt Camera
      • Orion Starshoot Pro
      • QSI 683WS
      • Raspberry Pi Allsky Camera
      • ZWO ASI120MM-S
      • ZWO ASI178MM
      • ZWO ASI183MC
      • ZWO ASI294MC Pro
    • Eyepieces
    • Filters >
      • Orion Nautilus Filter Wheel
    • Mounts >
      • Orion HDX-110 (EQ-8) >
        • New HDX-110 Setup
        • Orion HDX110 EQ-8
    • Observatory Computers
    • Telescopes >
      • Astro-Tech AT6RC
      • Celestron C-11 XLT
      • Orion ST-80 Refractor
      • Zhumell 152mm Refractor
  • Projects
    • Arduino Focuser
    • Celestron 5-1/2" Schmidt Camera Mod
    • C11 XLT Mods
    • Orion SSPRO Camera >
      • Disassembled Views
      • Noise Reduction Mod
      • Temp Controller Mod
    • Ultima 8 Mods
    • Zhumell Refractor Mods
  • Non-Astronomy
    • Amateur Radio >
      • Boat Anchor Radios >
        • BC-348N Receiver
        • Collins 51J4 HF Receiver
        • R-392 HF Receiver
      • DIY >
        • Station Boom Microphone
      • Ameco >
        • Ameco AC-1
        • Ameco OCM
        • Ameco PT-2
        • Ameco R5A
      • Heathkit >
        • Heathkit SB-102 Station
      • Knight-Kit >
        • Knight Kit Span Master II
      • Yaesu FT-817 >
        • Yaesu FT-817ND
        • LDG Z-817 Autotuner
        • Windcamp LiPo Battery
    • Antique Radios >
      • Building A Radio Workbench
      • Radio Dial Neon Clock
      • Radios >
        • Crosley 11-104U
        • Echophone EC-1
        • Eddystone EC-10 MK I
        • Eltz Radione 2
        • Lafayette KT-200 Shortwave Receiver
        • Panasonic RF-5000A
        • Silvertone Model 4465
        • Troubador Model 2401 Walnut Bakelite
        • Troubador Model 0-71 Ivory Deco Bakelite AM/SW
        • Truetone Model D1011 Stratoscope
        • 1938 Zenith 6-S-254
    • Geiger Counters >
      • AN/PDR-27G Radiac Set
      • Lionel CD V-700 Geiger Counter
      • RCA WF-12A Geiger Counter
    • Test Equipment >
      • DIY Test Equipment >
        • DIY Curve Tracer
        • DIY Signature Tracer
      • Military Test Equipment >
        • BC-221-AF Frequency Meter
        • LM-21 Frequency Meter
        • TS-323/UR Frequency Meter
        • TS-465 C/U Sweep Generator
        • TS-505D/U VTVM
        • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
      • Tube Testers >
        • Alternating Current Sink
        • Drug Store Tester
        • EMC Model 200 Tube Tester
        • Hickok Model 6000A Tube Tester
        • Hickok OZ-1 (550X)
        • Precise Model 111 Tube Tester
        • Precision Model 10-12
        • Supreme Model 385
        • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
      • VTVMs and Multimeters >
        • B&K Model 290 Hi-Low FET Multimeter
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
        • Hickok Model 370 FET Multimeter
        • McMurdo Silver VOMAX 900
        • Micronta 22-220 FET Multimeter
        • Simpson 360-2 Digital FET DMM
        • TS-505D/U VTVM
      • Hickok >
        • Hickok 19X RF Generator
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
        • Hickok 288X RF Generator
        • Hickok Model 370 FET Multimeter
        • Hickok OZ-1 (550X)
        • Hickok 6000A Tube Tester
      • Simpson >
        • Simpson 360 DMM
        • Simpson 360-2 DMM
        • Simpson 480 Genescope
      • Supreme Instruments >
        • Supreme 385 Automatic
        • Supreme 560 Vedolyzer
        • Supreme 560A Vedolyzer
        • Supreme Model 561 AF/RF Generator
        • Supreme's Model 562 Audolyzer
        • Supreme Model 562 Audolyzer circa 1941
        • Supreme Model 562 Audolyzer circa 1946
        • Supreme Model 563 Audio Generator
        • Supreme Model 576 RF Generator
        • Supreme Model 666 AF/RF Generator
      • Other Test Equipment >
        • Heathkit IT-28 Capacitor Tester
        • Rider 162 Chanalyst
        • Tektronix 326 O'scope
        • VU-Data Model 941B Oscilloscope
    • ---------------
    • Fossils
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Star Trek >
      • Star Trek Rock Mood Lamp
      • Star Trek Communicator