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Rediscovering the Stars: My Journey Back to Astronomy with the AstroTrailer

Star Date: October 18th

Greetings, fellow stargazers! After some time away, I am excited to announce my return to the celestial frontiers with a new project that enhances my astronomical pursuits: the AstroTrailer. I have been slowly building back a web presence for this passion’s pursuit.

I used to use content management systems to build sites, however, they are all too easily hacked, so now I just build and back up manual HTML. In the worst case, if the site gets defaced, I simply restore it.

Long-time followers might recall the Astro Trailer I crafted over two decades ago for my 24-inch Starmaster, which you can still see on my old website accessible via the Menu here. That project set a precedent for what I'm undertaking now for my 18" Obsession Classic. It’s not just a revisit but a significant upgrade in how I engage with the night sky.

The AstroTrailer is designed to be a major convenience for amateur astronomers who cherish their time under the stars. It's not a mobile observatory in the traditional sense but a sophisticated gear-hauling solution that dramatically simplifies the logistics of stargazing. With the AstroTrailer, everything is pre-packed and ready to roll, which means I can hit the road on short notice and set up quickly upon arrival.

The build of the AstroTrailer itself is significant in the effort and planning it requires, and is being tailored to the needs of night-sky observers and astro imagers. The rear of the trailer doubles as a functional desk during observing sessions, providing easy access to eyepieces, star charts, a laptop, and other essential observing accessories. This setup not only maximizes the time spent observing but also minimizes setup and takedown time, allowing for spontaneity in chasing clear skies.

The imaging setup will feature automated imaging capabilities and processing so I can benefit from it doing the work after setup and then visually observe with the larger Dobsonian Obsession 18.

AstroTrailer’s Advanced Features:

One of my goals is also to move some of my hobbies out of the home so that when I retire, I can still enjoy them and then move to a much smaller home that is more practical to maintain in retirement. I still have 7 more years until I get to enjoy that kind of freedom; however, by planning now, I will be set for when the time arrives.

Join me on this engineering journey as I refine and utilize the AstroTrailer to explore the cosmos more freely than ever. This blog will detail the progress, challenges, and achievements of adapting my 18" Dobsonian setup into this new, streamlined star-chasing vehicle.

Stay tuned for detailed pictures of the AstroTrailer as the build continues. We adventure into the cosmos together, making every clear night a potential gateway to the universe’s wonders.

Clear Sky Chart

Clear Sky Chart for EverStaR

Clear Sky Chart for EverStaR

Solar-Terrestrial Data