The New Morning Star Observatory

The construction of my new observatory in West Virginia has been on hold for several years, but it seems like forever. We have now caught up on enough of the work on the log home that I will be able to start on the new dome by spring of 2020. Our new location in West Virginia is blessed with dark, open views of the night sky. The site is between 1800 - 1900 feet in elevation and approximately 35 miles as the crow flies from the closest light dome at Winchester, VA. 

---

I'll likely construct a round, metal-sided building for the 12.5' diameter Lancaster dome. The plan is to automate most of the observatory so the computer and work area can be in a separate room in my garage (the man cave).

---

I have dark skies and wide open views at the new location but it looks like there is still one nemesis to deal with. This is a shot of a Sunday morning sky at the new location. I'm over 60 miles flying distance west of Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C. and look at all those contrails heading west. It appears we are right under a flight path out of Dulles. I think this is just the morning "rush hour" of departures as I haven't noticed quite as many jets late at night, but I'm still thankful that image processing can remove jet trails during stacking. I think I'm going to need it.

---

Last update 9/14/2019