MAS Observatory Manual

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MAS Observatory ManualGeneral InformationPrefaceThis manual is intended especially for the members of theMilwaukee Astronomical Society (MAS) about our Observatory at18850 W Observatory Rd in New Berlin. It contains informationabout the grounds, the buildings, and the telescopes along with abit of history. It is divided into two major sections. The first isGeneral Information intended for all the members and containssome background info. The second section is more detailed information intended for thekeyholders of the observatory and is only distributed to those members.Though we have included some photographs here of the grounds, observatories, andtelescopes, many more can be found on the MAS website:www.milwaukeeastro.orgBut we include much more information here about the observatory and the various telescopesincluding our informal names for them.As the observatory inevitably changes, this document will need to be updated. Should you findany errors, sections that need updating, new sections to be included, you can pass thisinformation to the Observatory Directors or the Webmaster.webmaster@milwaukeeastro.orgTo get the most current version of the Observatory Manual, you can find it on our ry Manual.pdfLast Updated: tory Manual.pdf05/06/2021-1-

The GroundsThe Milwaukee Astronomical Society Observatory occupies 3.1 acres on a hilltop in New Berlin.Our club was founded in 1932 and the original acre was offered by a member in 1934. Theobservatory was established in 1936, and then formally dedicated in 1938. 2 additional acreswere donated in 1963. This is the aerial view of it looking north as seen on Bing Maps.www.milwaukeeastro.org/Documents/Observatory Manual.pdf05/06/2021-2-

The parking lot is secured by a swing gate.It is not meant to secure the grounds, butjust to keep cars out. It has a singlecombination padlock that can be openedby any MAS member in good standing. Thecombination is changed only as neededand will be announced on the GoogleGroup. Contact the Observatory Director,Member Director or the Webmaster if youneed the code.www.milwaukeeastro.org/Documents/Observatory Manual.pdf05/06/2021-3-

The BuildingsA – Armfield ObservatoryB – Buckstaff ObservatoryC – Albrecht ObservatoryD – D ShedQ – QuonsetR – Ray Zit ObservatoryS – Solar ObservatoryT – Toeller ObservatoryV – Tangney ObservatoryZ – Z Domewww.milwaukeeastro.org/Documents/Observatory Manual.pdf05/06/2021-4-

Armfield Observatory / A-DomeConstruction on the Armfield Observatory wasstarted in 1937 and completed the following year.It is named after the founder of the MAS, LuverneArmfield. The telescope (originally a 13 inch witha mirror lent to the MAS by the AAVSO) upstairsin the dome was called the “A” Scope for manyyears and in fact is still almost always referredthat way. Actually, the telescope was completelyrebuilt and rededicated in 1977 to honor EdHalbach who was the observatory director for 35years and avid variable star observer who had just retired. From that time forward, technicallyit was then supposed to be referred to as the “H” scope, but the name “A” scope persists. Thisobservatory is almost always referred to by its informal name, the A-Dome.The scope itself is a 12.5 inch f/8.8 Newtonian reflector on a Germanmount with large vernier setting circles. It has limited slew ability inboth Right Ascension and Declination. The paddle for this functionalso controls the rotation of the dome. The slit for this dome is notautomated; we open and close it by hand and historically it isdifficult to move. The trick to opening the dome is to stand on theladder and push it from nearer the center.In 2015 the A-Scope was modified by installing a smaller secondarymaking it an even better planetary telescope. The relatively longfocal length and height off the ground (the pier is 12 feet aboveground level) already made this a very good planetary scope. Two cameras very donated at thetime: a monochrome and a color one for planetary imaging.The bathrooms were not part of the original observatory, but were added in 1965, along with adarkroom. The darkroom is now a storage closet with a stationary tub. These rooms areobviously plumbed and this means care must be taken in winter. Each of these three rooms hasa space heater to keep the room just warm enough to prevent freezing. So in the wintermonths, it is especially important the doors remain closed.In 2016-2017, the first floor of the A-Dome wasextensively remodeled. Both bathrooms (making one ofthem handicap accessible) and the darkroom now isstorage with a stationary tub. The aging electrical panelwas replaced, carpeting was added, and the stairway wasmade safer by adding a handrail and tory Manual.pdf05/06/2021-5-

Quonset HutThe Quonset Hut is an old military surplusstructure that was in Milwaukee beforebeing moved to the observatory site in1955 and attached to the north wall of theArmfield Observatory (A-Dome). We simplycall it the Quonset. They were hoping toplace the Quonset between the Armfieldand the Buckstaff Observatories, but theheight of the Buckstaff was not adequate tomake that practical.We can say we have a love/hate relationship with our Quonset hut, but historically it’s mostlyhate. What we've always loved is that we have a structure with a wide open space for ourmeetings. We have a gas heater for the winter months which was converted over from an oilburning furnace.In 2016-2017, our club fulfilled a long standingdream of either replacing or fixing it. For costpurposes, we chose to completely renovatethe Quonset. New interior walls and a newfloor were installed, new lighting, carpeting,and the office area removed so that thecomplete 48X20 foot interior is dedicated asour meeting room, easily accommodating 120.The room layout was also flipped so the mainentrance is now to the back of the hall.www.milwaukeeastro.org/Documents/Observatory Manual.pdf05/06/2021-6-

Z-DomeThe Z-Dome houses the G-Scope. Theoriginal telescope in this dome was knownas the “Z” Scope with the official name ofthe Zemlock Telescope. That scope was a 26inch, f/15 Cassegrain reflector. The mirroritself was f/3.0 and was the largestinstrument on the observatory grounds. Itwas built in the early 1980’s by MASmembers under the direction of GerrySamolyk. That telescope was disassembledin 2015 and the mirror sold.The new telescope (the G-Scope) is a Celestron EdgeHD 14” Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector andsits on an Astrophysics 1600GTO Astrophysics mount with complete GOTO capability, especiallyoperation from a computer. This mount sits atop a bridge between the yokes of the oldZemlock Telescope. This scope is for imaging only and the dedicated camera is an SBIG STT8300 CCD.The dome is 22 feet in diameter and the slit is motorized as well as the dome rotation. Controlof the dome was automated in 2018 by installing new motors and hardware that integrate withTheSkyX software which controls this observatory. Doing so now allows the dome toautomatically rotate in sync to where the telescope is pointed and/or keep up with the Earth'srotation. The building and the dome itself were built entirely by the MAS membership, againunder the direction of Gerry Samolyk.The second floor is for the telescope. Thefirst floor contains the club’s office,library, and control rooms. Modificationswithin the observatory now allow thetelescope to be controlled from the firstfloor library area. Also, two videocameras have been added, one to see thetelescope from the control area andanother mounted in the telescope itselflooking up so correct dome alignment canbe atory Manual.pdf05/06/2021-7-

The first floor of the Z Dome is the club’s office,library, and control rooms. These areas areminimally heated. The dedicated control roomis on the SW side of the building and the library& office area is on the NW side.The office area has a refrigerator, microwave,and where you can find the Intermediate Key(aka C-Shed Key). It also has the MAS log book.Whenever you visit the MAS Observatory youshould sign this book and note anything youfeel is significant. Our log books represent a lot of the club’s history!Buckstaff Observatory / B-DomeThe Buckstaff Observatory was the second dome on thesite. Construction started in 1949 and completed in1951. It houses the Buckstaff Telescope, almost alwaysreferred to as the “B” Scope. It is named for RalphBuckstaff, one of theoriginal members of theMAS who was a furnituremaker living in Oshkoshwhere he had his ownobservatory, observingthe sun, lunar occultations and variable stars. This was histelescope which he donated because he had completed a 16 inchCassegrain to replace it. You will notice that where the mount sitson the concrete pad, it is elevated on the south end whichcompensates for the difference between the latitude of the MASObservatory and Oshkosh. The structure is usually referred to byits informal name, the B-Dome.The telescope is a 12.5 inch f/7.4 Newtonian reflector on a German mount with large verniersetting circles. The slit on this dome is motor driven. The dome, however, is manually moved.Note: the setting circles on the B-Scope are very accurate as well as the ory Manual.pdf05/06/2021-8-

Albrecht Observatory / C-ShedThe Albrecht Observatory has a roll-off roof design and houses the Kyle Baron telescope. Thisroll-off roof observatory design is used 4 times on the observatory grounds: for thisobservatory, the D Shed, the Ray ZitObservatory, and the Toeller Observatory. It isnamed for Bill and Anne Albrecht who werelongtime members of the MAS. Bill joined theMAS in 1933 and met Anne at a MAS openhouse.The telescope that sits in this observatory isinformally referred to as the “C” scope.Currently, it is an 18 inch, f/4.5 ObsessionDobsonian reflector donated by Kyle Baron and formally dedicated as the Kyle Baron Telescope.It is outfitted with digital setting circles and has a fine collection of Televue eyepieces.The Albrecht Observatory is also known as the C-Shed. Before being dedicated to theAlbrecht’s, this observatory was simply called the C-Shed as it was built where the original CShed stood. It was labeled “C” as the observatory already had “A” and “B” scopes /observatories. There was also a “D” Shed where the Tangney Observatory now stands. In bothcases you can see the concrete strips where the rails were attached. The disadvantage of theprevious design was that any amount of snow or ice would make rolling off the sheds almostimpossible.The Albrecht Observatory is secured with an intermediate key, also known as the C-Shed Key.That key also opens the y Manual.pdf05/06/2021-9-

D-ShedThe D-Shed has a roll-off roof design and houses the Wiesen Telescope. Though it does notstand where the old D Shed stood, it was the second roll-off roof observatory built so it tookthis name as the old D Shed hadlong since been decommissioned.The telescope is an 18 inch, f/4.5Obsession Dobsonian reflector. Itis named for Dick Wiesen as thepurchase of this scope wasinspired by memorial donationsmade in his name. Informally, thisis the “D” Scope.This observatory is opened withan intermediate key, same as theAlbrecht Observatory.Ray Zit ObservatoryThe Ray Zit Observatory was constructed in 2002. It has a roll-off roof design and is named forRay Zit who was a long time member who served a term as Observatory Director from 19771980. The building was constructed to house Ray’s personal scope which he eventually donatedto the club.The informal name of this observatory is the Z2or E-Shed.The telescope in this observatory is a Meade 10"f/6.7 LX-200 Schmidt-Cassegrain on a CGEM DXcomputerized equatorial mount. It ispermanently mounted and has complete GOTOcapability. The informal name of this telescope isthe ry Manual.pdf05/06/2021- 10 -

Tangney ObservatoryThe Tangney Observatory is a small shed with a flip-top cover housing a 12 inch f/10 MeadeLX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope equipped with a CCD camera. It was built in 2001. Thetelescope is controlled inthe lower level of the ZDome. The observatory isnamed in honor of Virgil andMary Tangney, long timemembers of the MAS.Though this LX200 cantheoretically used visually,this is impractical in thissmall a structure. It wasbuilt for the sole purpose ofusing this telescope for CCDobserving, especiallyvariable star photometry.Jim Toeller Observatory / F-ShedThe Jim Toeller Observatory is our smallest roll-off roof structure measuring 8X8 in the interior.It houses the club's F-Scope,currently a Stellarvue SVQ-100APO f/5.6 astrograph refractorwith a ZWO ASI1600MM Coolcamera, mounted on anAstrophysics GTO900. Thetelescope can be controlled rightin the observatory or remotelycontrolled from the lower level ofthe Z Dome. The observatory isnamed in honor of Jim Toeller, along time member of the MAS andis listed as one of the founders. Itwas completed in 2015.www.milwaukeeastro.org/Documents/Observatory Manual.pdf05/06/2021- 11 -

Solar ObservatoryThe Solar Observatory is our newestobservatory completed in August of2016. It becomes our 9th observatorystructure.The observatory itself is a SkyShed PODwhich was purchased by the club solelyfrom donations from our members. In2018 the dome portion was replaced bya Nexdome to fix leaking problems withthe original.The observatory houses two solartelescopes mounted side by side. The primary instrument is a Lunt 80mm H-Alpha pressuretuned telescope with a Double Stack Module. The second telescope is the so-called White Lighttelescope which uses a Herschel Wedge for filtering. It is a 5 inch f/5 refractor.These telescopes may be controlled right in the observatory or remotely controlled from thelower level of the Z Dome.www.milwaukeeastro.org/Documents/Observatory Manual.pdf05/06/2021- 12 -

Observatory/Telescope NomenclatureIf you’re at the observatory or reading postings from the MAS Google Group, you might noticethat our individual observatories and telescopes are most commonly referred to by theirinformal names. They have been noted in the various descriptions of the observatories, but forsome clarity we present them here in table form. As you can see, not every observatory has an“official” designation but every observatory has an unofficial name.Official ObservatoryUnofficialArmfield ObservatoryBuckstaff Observatory(no official name)Albrecht Observatory(no official name)Ray Zit ObservatoryTangney ObservatoryToeller ObservatorySolar ObservatoryA-DomeB-DomeZ-DomeC-ShedD-ShedZ2 / E-ShedT-ShedF-ShedS-ShedOfficial TelescopeUnofficialLocationEdward A Halbach TelescopeRalph Buckstaff TelescopeG-ScopeKyle Baron TelescopeWiesen Telescope(no official name)(no official name)(no official name)(no official name)(no official /12” LX-200E-Scope/10" LX-200Lunt 80mm HaWhite Light ScopeArmfield ObservatoryBuckstaff ObservatoryZ-DomeAlbrecht ObservatoryD-ShedToeller ObservatoryTangney ObservatoryRay Zit ObservatorySolar ObservatorySolar atory Manual.pdf05/06/2021- 13 -

Adopt A Telescope ProgramWe started this program back in February of 2011 with a goal to make the buildings and domesmore organized and clean and to keep our instruments in better shape. Also, to make the MASObservatory more presentable and attractive during the Public Observing Nights and tours.The person who adopts a telescope is responsible for sweeping the floor, removing cobwebsand wasp nests, making sure that the eyepieces are clean and put away after our publicmeetings. In general to make sure the telescope is in full working condition.The maintenance is not the adopter's duty (although help from trained and knowledgeablemembers is welcome), he/she just needs to let the Observatory Director know if an issue isnoticed.This program is an excellent opportunity for new/less experienced members to get familiar withthe MAS’ equipment.In the Focal Point (our club’s newsletter generally published monthly) you will find a listing ofour observatories and members who have signed up. You might also see that an observatory islisted as Vacant which means it’s in need of an adoptee.If you are interested, please contact Paul Borchardt, Observatory ory Manual.pdf05/06/2021- 14 -

Keys to the ObservatoryThere are 4 levels of access to the observatory:1. Yard AccessFor years, any member could gain access to the observatory grounds with a Yard Key. In 2015 itwas replaced with a combination padlock which will be changed every year during the winterand more often as needed. All members in good standing can get the combination. A newcombination is sent to the membership via email, but you can also get it by contacting theObservatory Director (obsdir@milwaukeeastro.org) or the Webmaster(webmaster@milwaukeeastro.org). You will need to request this through your email that isregistered with the club.This allows members to use their personal scopes and connect to electricity at the MASobservatory.2. Intermediate Key (aka C-Shed Key)Members of the MAS can also get access to three of the rolloff observatories: the AlbrechtObservatory (aka C Shed) with the Kyle Baron Telescope, the D Shed with the WiesenTelescope, and the Zit Observatory (aka Z-2). There are some eyepieces available in each ofthese sheds. There is a 10 deposit for the key. To gain access to the parking lot, you will needthe combination to the pad lock.In order to secure an intermediate key, you must fill out an application (available on ourwebsite) and be “checked out” by the Observatory Director, the Assistant Observatory Director,or a member of the MAS Board.3. Solar Observatory KeyMembers of the MAS can gain access to the Solar Observatory and the two solar telescopesmounted there. Note: you can only gain access to the telescopes. You will not have access tothe camera equipment and laptop, but you may supply your own.In order to secure this key, you must fill out an application (available on our website) and be“checked out” by the Observatory Director or the Assistant Observatory Director, or otherqualified member of the MAS Board.4. Full Keywww.milwaukeeastro.org/Documents/Observatory Manual.pdf05/06/2021- 15 -

This key will unlock all of the equipment at the observatory. Full keyholders must have aworking knowledge of all of the equipment at the observatory. They need to be available toopen the equipment on member’s night (on a rotating basis) to teach other members how touse the equipment. They also must help with the maintenance of the observatory. There is a 50 deposit for the key.In order to secure a full key, you must be a member for at least one year, fill out an application(available on our website), and be “checked out” by the Observatory Director, the AssistantObservatory Director, or a member of the MAS Board. Another important prerequisite is theapplicant must demonstrate that they will contribute to the ongoing maintenance of theobservatory. Finally, the MAS Board must approve the application.If you are approved, you will also receive an Intermediate Key and a Solar Observatory Key.www.milwaukeeastro.org/Documents/Observatory Manual.pdf05/06/2021- 16 -

The new telescope (the G-Scope) is a elestron EdgeHD 14” Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector and . another mounted in the telescope itself looking up so correct dome alignment can . Dobsonian reflector donated by Kyle Baron and formally dedicated as the Kyle Baron Telescope. It is outfitted w

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