Telescope Reviews: Portable observatories

· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt

· Submit a Review / Article

Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums

Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User

You are not logged in. [Login]

Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online
FAQ · Calendar

Equipment Discussions >> Observatories

Pages: 1

Zeta_Reticuli
member

Reged: 07/28/12

Portable observatories new

#5472682 - 10/16/12 02:21 AM

I am thinking about constructing a portable observatory using PVC pipes and tarps. Does anyone have pictures or links to portable observatories so I can get ideas on how to construct one? There is a review of Cover Your Astro portable observatory on this site. However, it seems the plans are no longer available for sale. I think I can contrcut that observatory just by looking at pictures.

Cover your astro:

http://esmithonline.com/astronomy/wholeobservatory.JPG

I like the design. The crossbar across the opening will probably annoy me. Maybe I can contruct it without the crossbar???

I could always just construct panels. It may be simpler. Here is an example:

http://www.boulderastro.org/images/observatory_panels.jpg

Any links, suggestions, or more pictures will be very helpful. I just want something transportable that I can take to my dark sky site to block wind, dew, and ground light.

Edited by Zeta_Reticuli (10/17/12 10:50 PM)

Post Extras:

nikao
member

Reged: 06/14/12

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: Zeta_Reticuli]
#5472832 - 10/16/12 07:40 AM

Why not buy something like this? It's so cheap you can hardly save any money building it yourself I guess..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUNNCAMP-LULU-EASY-TO-ASSEMBLE-TOILET-TENT-/140844395400?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20cafaeb88&_uhb=1

Post Extras:

YetAnotherHobby
sage

Reged: 09/02/09

Loc: Central CT

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: Zeta_Reticuli]
#5472857 - 10/16/12 08:13 AM

I have a set of PVC & canvas panels similar to your picture and they do a great job of blocking light and gentle breezes. They are roughly 4 feet across, and I have 12 of them, which gives me enough room to maneuver around the scope.
The crossbar to maintain an opening is a pain due to its height, but you have to somehow link the two ends of the panel chain together for stability. Those panels are equally adept at blocking light and catching the wind, although if you could somehow guy them to the ground that would eliminate the need for attachment.

Post Extras:

csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: Zeta_Reticuli]
#5473011 - 10/16/12 10:24 AM

For light block panels, see this sticky; and scroll down:

Light Block panels

An observing tent is also available:

Link

Post Extras:

MisterBill
super member

Reged: 09/18/10

Loc: Geezerville aka S.FL, MILE 264

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5473992 - 10/16/12 08:36 PM

Cover your astro has moved to:

http://www.oocities.org/mschwa01/buildit.htm

EDIT: Sorry, I think this might be dead.

Bill

Edited by MisterBill (10/16/12 08:42 PM)

Post Extras:

Retsub
member

Reged: 12/08/06

Loc: Houston,Tx.

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: MisterBill]
#5474331 - 10/17/12 12:58 AM

Zeta: Look around for Joe Gafford in Denver,Co. He built something like the first pic and has used it for years. I can't get to my stuff right now or I would help more. *BW*

Post Extras:

mrlovt
member

Reged: 09/08/12

Loc: Smyrna, TN

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: Retsub]
#5474820 - 10/17/12 10:37 AM

You can move the "header" across the opening upwards, into the "ceiling", and move the observing window to the opposite side. Removing that pipe completely will leave the structure wobbly, especially if you use lower-diameter PVC. I wouldn't do this with anything less than 1.25" high-pressure (lighter and stiffer) PVC.

Post Extras:

Mike E.
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/26/10

Loc: Moonstone Observatory

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: Zeta_Reticuli]
#5475672 - 10/17/12 06:50 PM

Have a look on Yahoo Groups for the "Questar Users Group".
See "Folding Observatory by Ron Ravneberg", its on the last page of "photo albums"; 10 detailed photos, a nice panel setup.

Sorry, I can't seem to post a link.

Post Extras:

Snaproll
Postmaster

Reged: 02/20/04

Loc: Green Bay

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: Mike E.]
#5475715 - 10/17/12 07:20 PM

My first one was a modified deer hunting blind, one of those popup things.

Post Extras:

Zeta_Reticuli
member

Reged: 07/28/12

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: Snaproll]
#5476038 - 10/17/12 10:52 PM

Thank you everyone for the help. I will digest all of this information!

Post Extras:

Glen A W
sage

Reged: 07/04/08

Loc: WEST VIRGINIA USA

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: Zeta_Reticuli]
#5477181 - 10/18/12 03:04 PM

Main thing is to keep it very simple. I once bought plans fora tarp and tubing observatory. It looked like it would take hours to assemble in the field. Enthusiasm goes fast for construction projects every time you take a scope out! good luck ! GW

Post Extras:

Phil Sherman
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/07/10

Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: nikao]
#5481003 - 10/20/12 08:52 PM

Quote:

Why not buy something like this? It's so cheap you can hardly save any money building it yourself I guess..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUNNCAMP-LULU-EASY-TO-ASSEMBLE-TOILET-TENT-/140844395400?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20cafaeb88&_uhb=1

I've been looking for something like this for use when I have my scope set up for a week or two at a dark site. I was looking for a place to buy one in the US and discovered that I had a brand new one, from our camping days, sitting in the hall closet!

Thanks for a great idea.

Phil

Post Extras:

EricRemy
member

Reged: 09/24/08

Loc: Quebec, Canada

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: Phil Sherman]
#5609369 - 01/06/13 10:29 PM

Here's mine.

Pannels are made of wood with black plastic 6 mil poly available at the home depot. Sections consist of two pannels connected with hinges with the pins removed. I replaced the pins with bent 4 inch nails. Price for the 6 pannels is less than 100 bucks.They are very lightweight and do the job blocking unwanted light pollution. Dimensions are 3 x 6 for the small pannels and 3 x 7 for the center one.Pannels are lightweigt and can be folded for storage.

Post Extras:

donnie3
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/15/04

Loc: bartlesville oklahoma

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: EricRemy]
#5609415 - 01/06/13 11:01 PM

eric, very nice job on the panels. im thinking about making some myself. just a few questions, what type of wood did you use and how did you secure the corners, nails, glue or other. has the panels warped, i know screen doors made of wood keeps its shape fairly well. thanks, donnie

Post Extras:

EricRemy
member

Reged: 09/24/08

Loc: Quebec, Canada

Re: Portable observatories new

[Re: donnie3]
#5610996 - 01/07/13 09:57 PM

I use ordinary pine wood 2 inches by 3/4 inch strips glued together(1 1/4 inch sandwich) to make a frame that is 3 feet large by 6 feet high. I then cut out 3/4 inch wood strips that i place inside the frame to hold the poly in. I use staples to hold it in place and this also allows me to apply tension to the plastic to get rid of wrinkles.I store them in a shed so I did not apply any kind of finish. This is a temporary solution until I buid a rolloff observatory. Hope this helps.

Post Extras:

donnie3
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/15/04

Loc: bartlesville oklahoma

Re: Portable observatories [Re: EricRemy]
#5611090 - 01/07/13 10:47 PM

eric, thanks very much. i would like to observe on my driveway but all the boogieman lights and street lights makes it almost impossible. with the light panels it might be possible. thanks again, donnie

Post Extras: