Griffin-Hunter II Observatory

Hap Griffin and Gene Hunter's new observatory construction commenced in April 2006. Their original observatory was the first in the MAC-Hunter project and has begun showing its age. Also, the two have outgrown the original building with larger telescopes and additional equipment. Like the Foster-Hinson Observatory next door, this new building has an environmentally regulated control room for more comfortable working conditions in the winter and space for visitors to congregate. The new building features a kitchen, heating and air conditioning, a central vacuum cleaning system, satellite TV (DirecTV), satellite radio (XM), and satellite wireless internet.

No real observatory is complete without a "warm room" for those cold nights and weekend long astrophotography sessions. Shown here is the kitchen, complete with tile countertop, custom cabinets, fridge, gas stove, microwave, and bar. Also shown is the propane powered central heater. On cold nights, it is no problem having a 50+ degree differential between the warm room and the outside.
Hap's operating position. All of the observatory PC's are linked via wireless networking so the telescopes can be remotely controlled from the warm room, or even from one of the other observatories on site. A futon provides seating for visitors and a bed for sleeping.
Gene's side of the warm room showing his easy-chair operating position. All telescope equipment is controlled via the wall mounted laptop PC.
A view of the front of the warm-room showing the oak flooring and steps leading to the telescope room. The window blinds can be opened to observe when the telescopes are moving.
A deck for cooking out and relaxing finishes off the rear of the building and provides a walkway to the Foster-Hinson Observatory next door.
Hap's rig consists of three scopes covering the focal length spectrum from a Takahashi FS102-NSV at 816mm for wide-field work, an Orion 10" Newtonian OTA with a Baader MPCC Coma Corrector at 1200mm, and a Celestron carbon fiber C-11 at 2800mm. Whichever scope is not being used for imaging can be used for autoguiding with an SBIG ST-402. The mount is an Astro-Physics AP-1200.
Gene's main imaging scope is an Orion 10" Newtonian OTA with a Televue Paracorr field flattener. The mount is a Paramount ME from Software Bisque.
Breakfast at MAC-Hunter after a long night of imaging.