Roll Off Roof Automation

Ironwood North Observatory was first built in Haleiwa, Hawaii and fully automated in 2004. Ironwood North Observatory, Hawaii was equipped with a LX-200 10” f6.3 Classic telescope, the main camera is a SBIG ST-9XEI the autoguiding is handled by a Borg 50 scope and SBIG ST-237A camera.

The “Rolling Roof Computer Interface” (RRCI) was designed by Chuck Faranda. With the addition of WeatherWatcher Server ACP the observatory became weather aware and could protect itself from the elements. Both the RRCI and WeatherWatcher Server for ACP are ASCOM compatible and work with ACP Observatory Control System. We also have a standalone program for those who do not wish to use ACP. The RRCI and WeatherWatcher Server ACP can be purchased at our online store for details go to http://ccdastro.net/Roof_Controller.html and http://ccdastro.net/wwi.html

Frank Pino

Frank Pino joined Ken Archer in the winter of 2004 to built Ironwood North Observatory or “INO”. Frank has been doing visual astronomy since the 1970’s. He has owned several telescopes. Frank moved to Hawaii from Washington State in November 2002. He and Ken had met a few years earlier through their similar interests of aviation and astronomy. Frank now resides in Arizona where he has built Ironwood North, AZ.

While Hawaii is a great place to live Frank felt he could do more imaging under the clear dry skies of Arizona. Currently about 1000 images a month are taken remotely from schools belonging to the Hands on Universe and the Global Hands on Universe.

Ironwood North Observatory, AZ is now housed a small roll-off roof observatory measuring 8’ x10’. Frank Pino owns and runs Ironwood North Observatory, AZ. Equipped with a LX-200 10” f6.3 Classic telescope, the main camera is a SBIG ST-9XEI the autoguiding is handled by a Borg 50 scope and SBIG ST-237A camera.

While we were building the original INO we were contacted by Dr. Carl Pennypacker, head of the Hands on Universe project. He was looking for remote observatories to participate in the program. Hands on Universe, is a run by the University of California, Berkeley and Lawrence Hall of Science. The HOU team has provided financial support for INO.

You contact Frank at fpb35@aol.com