Montgomery
Bell Academy
Long Mountain
Observatory
Bell Academy
Long Mountain
Observatory
Montgomery Bell Academy's Long Mountain Observatory near McMinnville, TN was
completed in 2011. The observatory is equipped with a PlaneWave CDK 24 telescope
and integrated rotating focuser on a PlaneWave Ascension 200HR mount. The telescope
is equipped at the present time with an SBIG STX 16803 camera with AstroDon
L-R-G-B-Ha filters, which will soon be replaced with an SBIG STL 11000M camera
with Astrodon L-R-G-B-Ha-V-Rc-Ic filters to permit photometry and exoplanet light
curve research.
Below are links to photos of the observatory's construction and equipment. To the right
are the first astronomical images taken at the site.
completed in 2011. The observatory is equipped with a PlaneWave CDK 24 telescope
and integrated rotating focuser on a PlaneWave Ascension 200HR mount. The telescope
is equipped at the present time with an SBIG STX 16803 camera with AstroDon
L-R-G-B-Ha filters, which will soon be replaced with an SBIG STL 11000M camera
with Astrodon L-R-G-B-Ha-V-Rc-Ic filters to permit photometry and exoplanet light
curve research.
Below are links to photos of the observatory's construction and equipment. To the right
are the first astronomical images taken at the site.
Installation of telescope
April 12, 2011
April 12, 2011
Electronic and
software work
April 29-30, 2011
software work
April 29-30, 2011
Construction Progress
Initial balancing and
electronics testing of
telescope April 16, 2011
electronics testing of
telescope April 16, 2011
Telescope work
April 23, 2011
April 23, 2011
Progress and first
light, May 5-6, 2011
light, May 5-6, 2011
Workmen
Remote Access
May 12-14, 2011
May 12-14, 2011
May 20, 2011
Click HERE for current
weather and environmental
conditions.
weather and environmental
conditions.
May 27 & June 2, 2011
July 19, 2011 visit.
Click above for images
taken at the observatory
taken at the observatory
July 31, 2011 flat panel
installation.
installation.