After many years of backyard imaging and driving to dark sites we decided to give remote imaging a try.  We looked towards our local club but at the time (2006) remote imaging was not well understood by most amateurs.  We were told it was possible to put a dome or roll-off on club property but you would really need to be on site to use the equipment (of course all that changed within a few years and there are many remote observatory’s at the club now).

We ended up looking in SE New Mexico and found a nice sized property that we could put a dome on and give remote imaging a go.  The dome (Technical Innovation 10 Ft Pro Dome) was commissioned in late 2008 and has been running almost every clear night since.  We started with a Takahshi TOA130 and then installed a AG Optical 16” Newtonian astrograph in October of ’12.

We added a second dome in late 2014
In the second dome we have a 12.5 “ AG Optical iDK on a Paramount ME housed in a 10 Ft TI Pro Dome.  This setup features a SBIG STXL11002 with the 8 position FW8-G with Astrodon Gen 2 LRGB and a Baader 7nm HA.  To reach focus we have an Optec TCS3-Si.  An Optec Pyxis rotator is also in the image train for guide star accusation.

Provisions have been made for another 10Ft TI Pro dome with pier and a 20 x 16 roll off if anyone may be interested in having their own equipment in an area with dark skies.

The dome can house up to a 14.5 inch scope on a Paramount class mount.  Included is a pier, internet connection and power.

The equipment you would need to supply includes mount, scope, imaging camera, fw, filters, rotator, OAG or guide scope and guide camera, all cables and power supplies, Computer, UPS back up power supply, web switch.

We can install everything for you as well as collimate, polar align and ensure you have a robust Tpoint model.  Train PEC and get guide calibration done and the guiding working for a set fee.  This also includes setting up any networking needed so you can control your setup from anywhere with a internet connection.  This will take the better part of a week to complete.

Please drop us a line if you have any questions.

Tom