Bill F
super member
Reged: 05/30/05
Posts: 162
Loc: scotland
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Hello,
About this time last year I was asking a lot of questions on CN about domes. My garden has a lot of street lights shining into it. I can actually read ordinary print at night without any extra light other than the light polution!
I partially cured the problem by a system of plastic sheets strung on wires. These were time consuming and uncomfortable to rig and de-rig each time, especially as they were usually covered in ice after a few hours observing. I'm no spring chicken and the hassle of lugging everything out and in again, coupled with the rapidly changing Scottish weather was really getting to me and spoiling the pleasure of the hobby. I then started looking at all the pretty pictures on this forum. The net result is this
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Bill F
super member
Reged: 05/30/05
Posts: 162
Loc: scotland
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It is a Pulsar 2.1 metre fibreglass dome.
During the research phase, I had concernes about the practicality of a dome with a newtonian. I was, however, reassured by CN posts that this would be no problem. I rather fancied the Exploradome, but couldn't find anyone selling them in the UK at the time. This 7 foot diameter dome is only just big enough for my scope, as a later photo will show.
I was told by the supplier of the dome that it would be best to have a solid base/pillar foundation all in one unit. When I asked about this on CN, the general concensus was NO. Reading of Scott's nightmare since I built mine shows why! I am most reluctant to go against advice on CN, but I eventually decided to go for a solid base. I'de read of problems with settling and frost heave on other posts and my dome is on several feet of not very well compacted soil. I am a purely visual observer, so I decided a good big raft would be the answer. My base is a metre deep/metre round plug poured in one with a 7 foot square 6 inch thick slab. Over engineered?
As an aid to persuading the other half that a dome is a good thing, you could always try to swing it as a garden accessary. The vegetables in front of it grew faster and a foot taller than anywhere else in the garden.
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Orion Optics (UK) SPX 250 F4.8
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Bob Griffiths
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 4195
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Well from another guy ..who is well past being a spring chicken (so I can relate on that point) I have a hunch that your observation time will at least tipple...and the effort required on your part will be reduced to almost nothing...
Been there done that ...and LOVE IT !!! so will you,.
Congrads...
Bob G
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
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Bill F
super member
Reged: 05/30/05
Posts: 162
Loc: scotland
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Here are some photos of my set up
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Orion Optics (UK) SPX 250 F4.8
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Bill F
super member
Reged: 05/30/05
Posts: 162
Loc: scotland
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You can see how tight things are
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Orion Optics (UK) SPX 250 F4.8
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Bill F
super member
Reged: 05/30/05
Posts: 162
Loc: scotland
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The scope is set up for cyclops viwing. I can't actually get my head between the dome and the eyepiecec of the binos in this configuration. However, in the two eyes position the scope needs to be 4 inches further back in it's rings to balance, so I can just make it. I was so worried about the fit that I delayed getting the eyepieces till I could try the binos out. This explains why they have a 5mm and a 7mm in in this photo. That would give you eyestrain
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Orion Optics (UK) SPX 250 F4.8
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Bill F
super member
Reged: 05/30/05
Posts: 162
Loc: scotland
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This is my setup for observing. The seat is coppied off a photo that Carol posted of her's. I hope you don't mind. Don't look too closely at the workmanship compared to yours, Carol! I use a set of steps as a footstool as I find it better for resting my log on my knee while writing.
The rather fancy bag is one my wife made to hold my books, so I don't have to keep getting off my high perch all the time
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Orion Optics (UK) SPX 250 F4.8
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Bill F
super member
Reged: 05/30/05
Posts: 162
Loc: scotland
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Light shining sideways into the dome was still a problem, so I made a set off "horse blinkers with a tail" to cut out stray light.
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Orion Optics (UK) SPX 250 F4.8
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Bill F
super member
Reged: 05/30/05
Posts: 162
Loc: scotland
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The net result is that with everything set up it is now so dark inside the dome that not only can I not read the print in O Meara's books, I can't even find them!
Many thanks to all those who have contributed to this project. I hope this has been of interest.
And yes, I am already observing a lot more. Speaking of which, it is dark outside and clear for the first time in ages. Have a good night, I will.
Bill
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Orion Optics (UK) SPX 250 F4.8
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kiwisailor
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 1110
Loc: Lyttelton, New Zealand
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Nice setup Bill. I like the look of your pier, is it off set at all?
Steve
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Don't wait until tomorrow, start procrastinating today!
Sky-Watcher 8" F5 Newt
Mmmm Moonlite CR2
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Spoonsize
Vendor/Clothing
Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 2185
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Bill...This might sound strange...but you might do well to add a ring of weight to the front of the OTA, in order to HAVE to slide the OTA back some to balance. This will put the mirror end further away from the mount, and the focuser further from the edge of the dome.
Other than that, it looks great!! Congratulations!
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Steve Durham
www.margesmonograms.com
(Marge made me do it)
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Bill F
super member
Reged: 05/30/05
Posts: 162
Loc: scotland
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Steve-No offset on the pier. This gives me all round use, but it is a bit tight on viewing angles through the slot in some directions.
Steve D-That is what I thought. Once I get the eyepieces for the binos I will move the tube back in it's rings to balance the extra weight.I will then rig a pocket on the front of the scope to put balance weights (up to 40oz), to keep the tube in it's rearward position.
Bill
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Orion Optics (UK) SPX 250 F4.8
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28681
Loc: montana
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Quote:
This is my setup for observing. The seat is coppied off a photo that Carol posted of her's. I hope you don't mind. Don't look too closely at the workmanship compared to yours, Carol! I use a set of steps as a footstool as I find it better for resting my log on my knee while writing.
Bill, Carl M. & his son built my chair as a wonderful gift for my Dobservatory; I know they certainly won't mind!
Congratulations on a beautiful Observatory!  Your wife's idea for holding your books is a great idea also!
Enjoy those night skies in your beautiful Observatory!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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greg
sage
Reged: 01/25/05
Posts: 389
Loc: Central Ca.
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The extra shrouding is an excellent idea and one I will use when my Dome is finished.... Thanks
Greg
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30" F/4.5 Truss
12" LX200 GPS
Orion ST120mm F/5
Celestron 102mm F/5 Finderscope
2" 26mm 70* Illuminated Reticle
26mm T5 Nagler
20mm T5 Nagler
13mm ETHOS
Pentax XW 10mm
MallinCam Color Hyper Plus
9" Speco HighRes. Color CRT Monitor
Light polluted Backyard
10' Home Dome
MallinCam Deep Space Observatory
Great Darksite 1.5 Hrs. Away
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greg
sage
Reged: 01/25/05
Posts: 389
Loc: Central Ca.
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Adding weight to the focuser end of the OTA is also a good idea... Sliding the OTA back away from the dome slit would allow you to use a dew/light shield on your OTA giving you even more protection from Light pollution.
Greg
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30" F/4.5 Truss
12" LX200 GPS
Orion ST120mm F/5
Celestron 102mm F/5 Finderscope
2" 26mm 70* Illuminated Reticle
26mm T5 Nagler
20mm T5 Nagler
13mm ETHOS
Pentax XW 10mm
MallinCam Color Hyper Plus
9" Speco HighRes. Color CRT Monitor
Light polluted Backyard
10' Home Dome
MallinCam Deep Space Observatory
Great Darksite 1.5 Hrs. Away
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Scott K
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 920
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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Your observatory is very nice Bill! I think it's nicely integrated into your backyard and garden.
The monolithic base will probably be less of a problem for you than it was for me for a couple of reasons:
1. Your scope and mount are lighter.
2. Your dome doesn't hold 2-3 extra people bouncing around in it.
3. You are almost certainly luckier than I am! 
I wish I could build a shroud like yours - there isn't a lot of stray light nearby, but there is a little. (Especially in the winter when the trees just block less.) Unfortunately, I couldn't get through the door if I did that!
It may be a good idea for greg though - since he will enter his dome through the slot, the shroud will very probably balance his dome better. The weight of the front and top shutters on a TI home dome are all at the back of the dome when the shutter is open. This unbalances the dome slightly, and makes the torque uneven when the dome rotates in azimuth. Anyway, it works, but it'll probably work better with the shroud.
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Bill F
super member
Reged: 05/30/05
Posts: 162
Loc: scotland
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Scott,
The shroud is detachable. I made it so that it clips onto a couple of studs on the shutter. The tail is flexible as well, so can be held to one side so I can get in the door. Would that help?
Bill
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Orion Optics (UK) SPX 250 F4.8
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