Quote:

---

Fantastic! What the height of the wood structure, and could you talk about the wood rings?

---

The wall height is 5'. Add the height of the rotation rings and the bottom of the shutter is about 6'. With the pier height of 44" I get down to about 15 degrees off the horizon, which is about all I have here at best anyhow. We went with 2x6 at 12" centers. The 12" centers help greatly in keeping the siding at a nice radius. 16" centers would tend to give you flat spots.

I would recommend Tom's approach to cutting the semi circles.
The way I did it was to remove the pier and draw an arch on the plywood. I put a nail in the center of the pier and simply drew a circle by hooking the tape on the nail and held the pencil on the tape measure at 10'6". I made a pattern then cut out several arches (enough to do 3 laminations for the top and a single on the bottom) using a circular saw. Tom's approach will be safer and more accurate for most people but I've used a circular saw nearly every day for 25 years and there's not much I can't do with it. Short of crown moulding.

--------------------
Scott
www.backyardobservatories.com
www.m1oasys.com

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

Scott,

The 178 looks really happy in its new home! Great job on the observatory.

---

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

Here's a photo of the 40-year-old ASH (Astronomical Society of Harrisburg) Ash Dome.

Dave Mitsky

---

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

I love all the modern equipment but the dome and some scopes I have are like preserving a little piece of astronomy history. there's a feeling you get being in the dome, knowing that Mr. Becker was possibly doing variable star or novae research or cometology from the observatory when I was 4 years old. Pretty neat.

---

Scott, you are so right! Being able to preserve history, & literally have it "in your hands" is such a inspiring feeling, not to mention what you are doing for Astronomy history

--------------------
Carol


AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
Garrett 20x80 TWP setup

DreamCatcher Dobservatory

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

You said it, Carol. Btw, does anyone know a company that builds a 16 or 17 foot dome that's well built and doesn't cost a fortune? I know there are a few companies that build domes, but I may have missed a few. I may have to build my own to save money, but for me that's a daunting project.

---

Daunting to say the least....and expensive too.

Rolling the numbers off my head..for me to build a 17-20ft Dome...and the supporting structure will cost nearly 3 times at it would to build a 18x18 roll off roof OB.

Because my dome would have to be made from stainless or aluminum......

Besides....after 30 years of enjoying open sky observing with my 6"f/15....to live under a dome would some how distract. I can enjoy open sky observing and then...roll the roof on...shutting things up tight.

That's my view anyway...... The idea has individual mileage.

Rob

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.

www.vimeo.com/6014031

Post Extras: