Observing at the Cassegrain focus

Last evening I spent some time on the observer's platform that used to be used some years ago when people visually guided the telescope while recording data at the Hale Telescope's Cassegrain focus.

p.s. Although it isn't obvious in the picture above, the simulated observer's platform automatically follows the Cassegrain focus around, elevating the little green man as necessary. I've briefly considered implementing manual steering controls, but have tentatively decided it'd be too much effort for too little gain. At any rate, in the picture below, he's photographing Neptune.