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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
      #2597994 - 08/23/08 06:35 AM Attachment (204 downloads)

Hi all,
this is a story of building an observation shelter KuuMaja (finnish for MoonHut), which is located in Toijala, Finland approximately at 61 degrees 09 minutes Norther latitude and 23 degrees 50 minutes Eastern longitude, at an elevation of 104 meters above the sealevel.

The aim was to construct a simple shelter to get rid of the light pollution due to the direct and close glow of several streetlights shinging from the North onto the yard.

I also wanted to have decent protection from wind, have the rig ready for quick sessions and be able to observe the most of the skies (i.e not to have a dome) and deliver fast tempering for the scope.

The hut also had to be on the backyard and the roof had to be quickly opened and closed. The northern side of the hut should allow to see the Stella Polaris for appropriate Polar alingment, yet protect from the streetlights as was mentioned earlier.

I have clear vision about from Southeast to Northwest, over trees and houses upward from about 30 degrees from the horizon.

The KuuMaja (MoonHut) is 2,5 x 2,5 meters and the maximum height on the Northern wall is 2 meters. The South-tilted roof is made of transparent plastic material, and it slides up and down (on rails down into the South), hanging on a sliding rails system.

The structure is made of lumber preprocessed (impregnated) to be water resistant. The walls and the floor are made of filmlayered plywood board, which is also water resistant.

At this point my EQ6 Pro –tripod is simply mounted on concrete slabs resting on a sand bed, thus having no contact with the structure to prevent any vibrations from transferring into the scope when observing.

The stucture is made in a fashion it breathes under the roof, so I might experience minor amount of snow pouring in occasionally, but this should not be a problem (knock-knock).

Also the ventilation is important, as the transparent roof gathers considerable amount of warmth into the hut especially during the summer months.

In the following messages I'll share with you 17 pictures to present the ida of the KuuMaja (MoonHut). It took some 70-80 hours to build, and of course required permission from the neighbours and authorities to be built. There are also a few closeups on the building of the sliding system just in case somebody would benefit from the ideas.

Be well all!

First, the foundations...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


Edited by Mare Nectaris (08/23/08 06:36 AM)


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2597996 - 08/23/08 06:37 AM Attachment (125 downloads)

... the floor structure

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2597997 - 08/23/08 06:38 AM Attachment (104 downloads)

... sandbed and concrete slabs for the tripod...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2597998 - 08/23/08 06:39 AM Attachment (103 downloads)

... ready floor (later to be cut for the tripod to be mounted properly)...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2597999 - 08/23/08 06:39 AM Attachment (105 downloads)

... skeleton ...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598000 - 08/23/08 06:40 AM Attachment (101 downloads)

... the walls ...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598001 - 08/23/08 06:41 AM Attachment (95 downloads)

... Southbound rails for the roof ...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598003 - 08/23/08 06:41 AM Attachment (98 downloads)

... sliding roof ...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598005 - 08/23/08 06:42 AM Attachment (96 downloads)

... detail of sinking the slider's bolt into the roof sled ...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598006 - 08/23/08 06:43 AM Attachment (80 downloads)

... sliders bolt in place on the sled ...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598007 - 08/23/08 06:44 AM Attachment (72 downloads)

... locking the sinked bolt with plywood ...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598008 - 08/23/08 06:45 AM Attachment (67 downloads)

... Nut is on ... and I'm quite nuts already

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598011 - 08/23/08 06:47 AM Attachment (84 downloads)

... left roof sled (seen from the Southside) with slider attached to the assembled bolt (this will be hanging on the rails supporting the roof letting it slide). The support on the sled is only temporary in this pic - it was later built from 5 inch plank to be on the safe side ...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


Edited by Mare Nectaris (08/23/08 06:50 AM)


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598016 - 08/23/08 06:51 AM Attachment (97 downloads)

... sliding roof ready and closed ...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


Edited by Mare Nectaris (08/23/08 06:52 AM)


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598019 - 08/23/08 06:53 AM Attachment (91 downloads)

... closed roof seen from inside the Hut ...

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598021 - 08/23/08 06:54 AM Attachment (111 downloads)

... KuuMaja (MoonHut) is born

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1430
Loc: Toijala, Finland
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598025 - 08/23/08 06:57 AM Attachment (121 downloads)

... and the roomer has arrived - or maybe even the resident!

Thanks folks for witnessing the happy occasion!

Be well all!

--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all

Timo Keski-Petäjä

CtheMoon

Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)

TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series


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David Pavlich
Postmaster
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Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 8628
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.22 X 90....
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598239 - 08/23/08 10:08 AM

Very innovative! I like the way you worked with the tripod to keep it isolated from the floor.

David

--------------------
Proud Member; PAS NOLA,

"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..."
A. Einstein



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csa/montanaModerator
Wild Spirit
*****

Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40118
Loc: montana
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: Mare Nectaris]
      #2598284 - 08/23/08 10:38 AM

Very, very nice! A simple, but very effective design that will work very well for you!

Thanks so much for sharing the great photos taking us on the journey with you.

Now, enjoy!

--------------------
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

DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2



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Galaxyhunter
Pooh-Bah


Reged: 01/02/06
Posts: 1247
Re: Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut) new [Re: csa/montana]
      #2598797 - 08/23/08 02:30 PM

Nice job on your OBS

Quote:

The stucture is made in a fashion it breathes under the roof, so I might experience minor amount of snow pouring in occasionally, but this should not be a problem (knock-knock).





Blowing snow WILL find its way through the smallest of openings. You might want to get some brush stips to seal the movable roof to the stationary building. Its just a thought.

--------------------
Carl

My lousy skies at Hawkeye Observatory


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