Kahale Observatory (KOBS)

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      Latest Images:



M27 Dumbbell Nebula


(Celestron 14", Hyperstar F2, ASI294mc pro (RGB), 100 images @ Exp 40s, Gain 210, Offset 10, Bin 1x1)

AllSkyCam Lightning

Click to run video





M62 Globular Cluster


(Celestron 14", Hyperstar F2, ASI294mc pro (RGB), 100 images @ Exp 30s, Gain 210, Offset 10, Bin 1x1)

3I/Atlas


We have a cosmic visitor from another star system zipping through our neighborhood: 3I/Atlas. Last weekend I was volunteering at the OMSI staff stargazing event up at LL Stubb Stuart St park. I brought my Celestron 14" with it's hyperstar and imaged it live for them to see. Once I got back home, I was able to process over 100 images to show it's progress across the sky. Zoom in to see the faint dots within the red outline. This is the 3rd interstellar visitor we've seen so far: Oumuamua, 2I/Borisov and now 3I/Atlas.
(Celestron 14", Hyperstar F2, ASI294mc pro (RGB), 100 images @ Exp 20s, Gain 0, Offset 0, Bin 1x1)

The Kahale Observatory is located on the central Oregon Coast. Currently it consists of three fully automated astrophotography systems, a NexDome 8' observatory with a 10Micron mount on a pier and a field unit using a CGX-L mount and a Dwarf 3. Three different OTA's can be attached: a Celestron 14" SCT, Celestron 11" SCT and a Explorer Scientific 152mm refractor. The imaging stack includes a 7 position filter wheel and the ZWO 2600 pro, ZWO 1600 pro or a ZWO 294 color pro imager. It includes weather, telescope and dome monitoring equipment plus allskycameras and a rain and cloud monitor. The C14 includes optional HyperStar and .7 reducers.

Observatory Configuration

  • ES152 mounted on 10Mircon
  • W/RPI, ZWO 2600 mm pro b&w, 7 pos filter wheel, Dew Heaters, Orian 80mm w/ZWO guider
  • Rain Sensor, Dome cntlr, allskycam

Field Observatory Configuration

  • C14 mounted on CGX-L, with .7 reducer
  • RPI, ZWO 294 color pro, Dew Heaters, OAG w/ZWO guider
  • Field weather station, allskycam

Portable Configuration

  • Dwarf 3

Observatory Status:

  • Dome Observatory: operational
  • Field Observatory: operational
  • Portable Observatory: Operational

Equipment

  • OTAs: C14 SCT, C11 SCT, Explorer Scientific 152 Acromate refractor, Dwarf 3
  • Field reducers: HyperStar, .7 for C14
  • Mounts: 10Micron GM1000, GGX-L, CGE-Pro
  • StarSense Autoalign (only used for manual obs)
  • Guider: Orion StarTracker, (2) Orion CT80 w/ZWO Cam
  • Off-Axis-Guider: ASI OAG-l and OAG
  • Pwr Ctl: Wa-chur-ed Power*Star Hub, Pegasus UPB (universal power box)<
  • Autofocusers: MicroTouch w/ctlr, Moonlight w/KOBS ctlr, Pegasus w/ctlr
  • Cameras: ZWO 1600m, ZWO 2600mm, ZWO 294mc, ZWO 290m, ZWO 120c, Nikon D5500
  • (2) EFW 7 position filter wheel
    • Each w/ Luminance, Red, Green, Blue, Sii, Oiii, H_alpha
  • RPI Dome Cnl Box: Open/close, lights, NOIR camera
  • RPI Env Box: Allskycam, sky monitor, rain detector and temp/hum/dp
  • Two RPI Telescope Monitor and Control boxes (Ekos/Indi)
    • Internal UPB: 2 Stepper motor ctls, 2 PMI dew heater ctls, 4 12V switched outlets, GPS, 4 USB, WiFi and wired, temp/hum/dp sensor