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CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Oklahoma
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This is the first summer for Cor Caroli Observatory, and I'm a little nervous. I don't live full time at the obs site and don't have full time electricity in the obs (I use extension cords when I'm there). I've been monitoring and graphing the inside temps and humidity with my Davis weather station. So far the inside temps are running at about the same to 1-3 degrees above ambient with humidities running around 70-90 percent. The outside high temps for the past few days have been about 100-102. I have 2 windows-on the north and south walls for cross ventilation. The only thing in the obs is my NS11 and a few cables- no computer, eyepieces, or electronic equipment except the scope. Right now I have the scope covered with a Telegizmo solar cover, but I wonder if maybe I shouldn't use the solar cover, as it might hold in the heat rather than protect the scope. Does anyone see a problem with using the Telegizmo cover, and if so, what would you recommend I use to cover the scope?
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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Pedestal
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/11/06
Posts: 3857
Loc: Smoggy Bottom, Baytown,Texas
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Carol, I don't know if the T-cover is breathable, but I'd want something that was. And I'd sure want at least a dust cover.
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Hubert
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www.smoggybottom.org
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Chris Schroeder
Postmaster
Reged: 12/11/04
Posts: 6563
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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I use a water repellent coated nylon scope cover on my scope, it’s breathable so any trapped moisture and evaporate.
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Chris
Mallincam Color Hyper Plus
10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT
M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST
CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager
POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com
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rsbfoto
sage
Reged: 06/10/06
Posts: 341
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Hi Carol,
I did use some cotton blankets.
Since a few weeks I am leaving the equipment uncovered inside my Observatory. The dust development inside the Observatory is the same as inside my house there and so I decided to not cover the equipment anymore. When I get there I just wipe the dust off the equipment and ready. I leave the focusers all in and so the dust does not get onto the draw tube.
A friend of mine here in Mexico uses cotton towels over his equipment.
So the scopes are protected from dust and humidity can not built up underneath on the equipment.
By the way, You made a H.. of a good job 
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regards Rainer
Edited by rsbfoto (06/24/09 11:39 AM)
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CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Oklahoma
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Chris, the Telegizmo is a mylar reflective type of material. It looks like plastic on the inside, so I'm not sure if it's breatheable. It's a big one that covers the scope from the top all the way to the floor. I don't tie the bottom, but leave it open at the floor level.
Rainer, thanks for the compliment. I am rather proud of my observatory since I had never done anything like that before. As for the cover, I do need to cover the scope as it sits right between the 2 windows and when there is a breeze, usually a wind in Oklahoma, a fair amount of dust blows in too. I like the Telegizmo cover and would like to continue to use it, but maybe I ought to cover the scope with a cotton blanket, towel, or sheet, at least in the hot summer months.
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Oklahoma
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Just a little update. I was at the observatory yesterday. When I opened it up, it was 100 outside, 98 inside. I had forgotten that I have a small thermometer attached to the scope which was still under the Telegizmo cover. When I took the cover off, the temp under the cover was 94. Go figure! Of course, it wasn't long before the thermometer on the scope registered 100 degrees, the same as the inside temp. By that time it was 103 outside. That's about as hot as it gets in the summer time here.
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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SometimesKen
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 505
Loc: Bad Moon Observatory
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Hi Carol
Another way to look at it ....your Telegizmo cover is great for UV protection but with your black lined dome it probably isn't necessary. On the other hand .... maybe the scope temp was lower at first because the pier footing is cooler than the surface temp and the "coolness" was trapped inside? Flip a coin !! haha
BTW - isn't a obs. just wonderful? 
Good Luck
Ken
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As the setting sun / melts below the horizon / the stars applaud her bow. ~W. Terrance~
Bad Moon Observatory - February 1, 2007
39° 54' N - 74° 09' W
Edited by SometimesKen (06/26/09 10:26 PM)
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csa/montana
Wild Spirit
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40271
Loc: montana
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Carol, one thing I did, to cut down on dust when I open my window, for when my exhaust fan kicks on. I got some $1 filters at Ace Hdwre that are the size of my window opening. I put one of them on the inside of the screen. It really stops all the dust coming in thru the window.
I also cover, but not secure tightly, my AstroGizmos cover on the 16".
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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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CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Oklahoma
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Ken, the observatory is more than just wonderful-it's a dream!! And now that I have the dome automated, it's even better!!
Carol, excellent idea about the filters! Next time I go by Ace, I'll pick up some filters. You are just full of nifty ideas, Carol! So you keep your Dob covered with a Gizmo cover? And no problems with that?
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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rodney
Vendor - Explora Dome
Reged: 03/08/05
Posts: 812
Loc: Asbury, NJ
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Carol,
Glad to hear things are going very well for you. Automation is a great feature. I am jealous, 29 days of clouds here in NJ. Tonight it pounded rain & hardcore lightning. WOW was the only thing I could think of during the storm. I just popped outside and it is crystal clear. Alas 6:30 AM comes to early.
Carol's idea about the low cost screens are a fantastic idea. I noted on the Yahoo group that I swapped out my older white (painted black) dome and white ring with a black ring and black dome and noticed after three weeks dust build up on the ring. At the same time I mounted the new AT 8/F4 and there is nothing on the OTA or optics. The recent volley of 94 degrees days have shown a lower inside temp at the scope of 3-4 degrees. My equipment remains uncovered. My desktop is in a cabinet as is my EP's,CCD's, filters and other astro "stuff". None of which have dust on them.
Being domed is a great thing isn't it? I am happy to be part of your dream come true. Glad your automation is working great for you.
Clear skies,
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Explora Dome information can be found here:
www.exploradome.us
Rodney
Meade 10 SCT
AT 8/F4 imaging scope
13 Truss
C8-NGT
Orion 80mm/F11
Canon 300D
Canon XSi
Two AS-GT mounts
Extremely happy Explora Dome home observatory owner
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csa/montana
Wild Spirit
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40271
Loc: montana
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Quote:
Ken, the observatory is more than just wonderful-it's a dream!! And now that I have the dome automated, it's even better!!
Carol, excellent idea about the filters! Next time I go by Ace, I'll pick up some filters. You are just full of nifty ideas, Carol! So you keep your Dob covered with a Gizmo cover? And no problems with that?
Be sure to know the opening size (screen area) of your windows, as Ace has a bunch of different sizes 
Yes, I always keep my scope covered with the TeleGizmos; however, humidity is not a problem here. The open window, & automatic exhaust fan (have it set to come on at 80 degrees), keeps the interior heat down considerably.
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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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