stefanj
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/15/07
Posts: 1350
Loc: Western New York State
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Well I'm thinking about a start to an observatory- Not an actual building at this point (nope the wife HATES that idea) but perhaps pouring a cement pad and installing a little bit more"permenant" light blocker. Right now I'm on a gravel drive way which works ok except for getting things level- other than heat retention is there any other downside to a cement pad?
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Life is a circus- and I'm stuck in the FREAK TENT
If these are blue- it means the moon is full!
Meade ETX 90RA w/ tripod
Meade AZ 70
Meade DS 2130 AT
Zhumell 10" Dob
Zhumell Plossel EP and Filter set
Simmons 10x50 Binoculars
GLPx6
LPI
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okiestarman56
super member
Reged: 04/10/08
Posts: 267
Loc: 36.9'33" N 95.23'29" W
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Vibration is the first thing that comes to mind. You would probable get a better response from the folks in the Observatories forums. Jerry
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305mm f/5 GSO 12" DSO
114mm f/7.8 Tasco 4.5" Red Tube
80mm f/15 Sears 3.1" Refractor #412.44540
60mm f/15 Sears 2.3" Refractor #4 6305-A
60mm f/15 Sears 2.3" Refractor #4451
Plenty of EPs? .965 to 2"
2 LPI's
Home made Denver chair
3-7'x10' light panels
yada yada yada
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tigerroach
sage
Reged: 08/13/08
Posts: 315
Loc: Houston, TX
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We have cement pads at my club's observing site and they work fine. New concrete does tend to be reflective of any stray light, but if you have an open-tailgate scope where that would be a concern you can just throw a dark-colored tarp over it.
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Brian
TeleVue TV-102, Gibralter alt-az mount
Webster 14.5" f/4.3 truss dob *under construction*
Canon 10x30 IS binocs
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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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We use a patio stone (3X3) deck with a gravel base to observe at our dark site. All Weather Electric outlets were set in boxes on vertical 2X4's knee height for AC Power.
They work great when settled. No vibration...and during the day, doubles as a sit down site or for solar observation.
Of course there is a 25X30 observatory with sliding roof about 15 feet away with all the perks. 
Cheers.
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Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II 
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded 
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mikey cee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/18/07
Posts: 2330
Loc: bellevue ne.
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Personally I'd rather have a concrete pad. Gravel is a little unstable and a cement pad would probably wash away after a good rain!!   Mike
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Mike 10x50 sears tower binocs, 3" f/10 edmunds reflector, 2.4" f/11.7 manon refractor, 6" f/8 jaegers refractor, "The 8 Ball" 8" f/13.3 brandt refractor, 3" f/15.8 sans&streiffe refractor, 3.1" f/15 selsi refractor(towa 339), 2.4" f/15 sears refractor, selsi 30x30mm spyglass, criterion 5-draw 25x45x75x spyglass(1957).
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rmcpb
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/16/04
Posts: 1569
Loc: Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia
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If the actual cement pad the scope sits on is small enough so you can observe without hitting it then its the way to go. Isolation of the mount from any of your movements is the best option.
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Rob
8" & 13" Dobs
Equatorial Platform
Couple of Panoptics and a handful of BO/TMBs
9x60 binocs
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Galaxyhunter
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/02/06
Posts: 894
Loc: Northern Illinois
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Quote:
Right now I'm on a gravel drive way which works ok except for getting things level- other than heat retention is there any other downside to a cement pad?
If you can arange your "light block" to shade the pad, you will nit have the "Heat Retention" problem that everybody thinks about. The heat retention should be no worse than Observatorys that are built on (through) a roof. Now if the pad is in direct sunlight all day, then heat waves might be a problem.
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Carl
Hawkeye Observatory
Observatory - "Hawkeye"
Scope - 18"f4.5 on a GEM
8" f4.9 Orion piggy backed
Drive - Sitech Technology
DSC - Sky Commander
Planetarium - MegaStar
Camera - ST2000XM
Desire - comes & goes
Talent - ZERO, NONE, NADA (But I can Wish)
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Lusty
super member
Reged: 08/24/08
Posts: 193
Loc: Florida USA
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For years my telescope were on an 18'x18'x1.5' concrete patio and the heat would radiate for hours after sunset -- until I installed that thin green AstroTurf. After that it was ready for observing as I uncovered the telescopes. You cna find it at Home depot or Lowe's. BTW, that patio wss in south Florida. The best place to setup a telescope is on grass.
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JackR
member
Reged: 02/20/08
Posts: 29
Loc: Surprise, Arizona
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Living in Arizona, heat is a major factor. When we moved into our new home four years ago I thought about pouring cement for a telescope platform, then thought better because of the heat retention and reflection as well as vibration. I had no real plans to build a permanent mount so wanted something that was stable yet easy to dismantle if my future plans changed.
I looked at several materials including paving stones and bricks. Couldn't really find anything that would provide the stability I wanted. Then I hit on an idea while talking to the owner of a landscaping supplier. Flagstone.
We purchased enough Flagstone to create a twelve foot circle. The landscaper leveled the area and seated the Flagstone in such a way that each of the tripod legs sits on its own individual stone. As I walk around the circle none of the vibration is transferred to the three stone supporting the tripod.
Flagstone cools rapidly so I don't have a problem with heat reflection or transmission and it looks great!
Jack
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Lusty
super member
Reged: 08/24/08
Posts: 193
Loc: Florida USA
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Before enclosing this with my "bear cage" I used it in sandy grass with no problems. I realize grass in Arizona brings high water bills
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stefanj
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/15/07
Posts: 1350
Loc: Western New York State
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Thanks All! Grass at this point is not an option as it is all tree lined- plus I look like a fool Snow Blowing the lawn!!! Also I have several natural springs in my yard so mud and standing water can be an issue. I like the Flagstone idea- that may work out better than a pad.
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Life is a circus- and I'm stuck in the FREAK TENT
If these are blue- it means the moon is full!
Meade ETX 90RA w/ tripod
Meade AZ 70
Meade DS 2130 AT
Zhumell 10" Dob
Zhumell Plossel EP and Filter set
Simmons 10x50 Binoculars
GLPx6
LPI
|
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