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Equipment Discussions >> Observatories

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Colten Edwards
member


Reged: 07/26/05
Posts: 22
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: Mr.Wendell]
      #1623475 - 05/24/07 02:32 PM

Here's the start of my roll off roof type observatory at 51.917N and 107.117W
http://www.astrophotographynow.com/Observatory.html


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Richard B. Drumm
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 1482
Loc: Albemarle Co. Virginia
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: Flint.Hill]
      #1922861 - 10/19/07 08:14 PM

Here's a thread here in "Observatories" that Ken started and needs (IMHO) to be easily found in the future:
Solar Power for observatories thread.
Marcus' response is full of important info. Putting a link here is as good as making a sticky of the thread.
Rich

--------------------
Orion Atlas 10 (10" Newt on an equatorial mount)
Celestron 15x70 SkyMaster Binocs
Coronado Ha PST
President, Charlottesville Astronomical Society
IOTA member

38° 10' 57"N, 78° 23' 09"W


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Colonel Bogey
sage


Reged: 01/27/07
Posts: 282
Loc: Sweden
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: MMICKELS]
      #2036821 - 12/08/07 05:44 AM

For those considering to build a rooftop observatory, I've uploaded a couple of pic here: SCRAP Observatory

But I would only recommend this solution if you need to, e.g. getting high enough - in my case above the trees.

--------------------
Obs: Paramount ME/C-14/TCF-S/FW8-STL BVRI/STL-1001E + TV85/STL guider
Portable: Giro Gr-III/TEC140/Pentax XW line
Binocs: Fujinon 16x70
Grab&go: Manfrotto tripod/FS60C
SW: Mira Pro, IRAF, MaximDL, CCDSoft, TheSky6, VisualSpec etc etc

S.C.R.A.P - Stocksund Centre of Rooftop AstroPhysics


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Kaizu
sage


Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 253
Loc: Finland
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: Colonel Bogey]
      #2036931 - 12/08/07 08:43 AM

Is the chimney still in use? Does it harm any how the equipments or observing. Or isn't there anytining to see on the North-West sky. (I'm little bit jealous of your equpments, especially the mount).

Kaizu


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Colonel Bogey
sage


Reged: 01/27/07
Posts: 282
Loc: Sweden
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: Kaizu]
      #2036974 - 12/08/07 09:27 AM

No, it isn't - only two channels are used as passive ventilation exhausts. I have not noticed any turbulence but can cut the chimney off completely if that would be a problem.

--------------------
Obs: Paramount ME/C-14/TCF-S/FW8-STL BVRI/STL-1001E + TV85/STL guider
Portable: Giro Gr-III/TEC140/Pentax XW line
Binocs: Fujinon 16x70
Grab&go: Manfrotto tripod/FS60C
SW: Mira Pro, IRAF, MaximDL, CCDSoft, TheSky6, VisualSpec etc etc

S.C.R.A.P - Stocksund Centre of Rooftop AstroPhysics


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Canadian
Vendor


Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 623
Loc: Calgary, AB, Canada
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: Mr.Wendell]
      #2039366 - 12/09/07 02:16 PM

Quote:

Has anyone thought about using a 1000 gallon plastic fertilizer storage tank as an observatory? Any ideas let me know.




My neighbour and I had one. Our intent was to have a warm room, our scopes would still be outside. It had been cracked, so all we had to do was pick it up and take it away - for the cost of a flat of beer. We lined it with reflective material, used red rope lights and had shelves built almost all the way around. We kept a desktop computer inside, a small heater and two rolling chairs. Where the crack was, we made and framed a door. Outside, a few feet from the door, a permanent pier was installed. After it was done or before we started (I don't remember which) we gave some thought to having the scope inside, but couldn't come up with a viable plan to cut the top/bottom and still keep it weatherproof. It served our purpose that winter, allowing us to keep a lot warmer (no more ice in the moustache), have all our accessories close at hand and not have to cart everything back into the house. We eventually replaced it with a store bought observatory, and pushed/trucked the warm room across the street, to where it became a playhouse for some kids.



This was before the door was finished, and when we picked it up where you can see the crack.
The pipe coming through above the stars, was where the wires for the scope and camera came out.
It ended up with lattice around it so that it couldn't be seen from the deck.


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radioactive
member


Reged: 12/01/07
Posts: 52
Loc: Leeds England UK
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: Mr.Wendell]
      #2102014 - 01/06/08 09:50 PM

using a fertilizer tub?
well it kinda grows on ya I guess

--------------------
**************************************************
MARTYN

A PROUD MEMBER OF MANKIND A TRULY DIVERSE LIFEFORM
***************************************************
[url=http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z151/m1dnv/observitory/?albumview=slideshow][color=teal]Observatory


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Tom Clark
super member


Reged: 11/14/07
Posts: 144
Loc: Chiefland, Florida
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: MMICKELS]
      #2150687 - 01/28/08 07:57 AM Attachment (50 downloads)

During the recent poll on observatories, I was suprised to see that there were only five domes larger than 10' listed. This 24' dome was my first construction project. It wasn't that hard to build, only took five months, and cost under $10,000. When compared to the cost of a professional dome of this size, that is very reasonable. The dome holds a 42" Dob, and is under fairly dark skies in Chiefland, FL.

This link shows the dome and the 42 being constructed: http://tinyurl.com/2ozsvc
If you are considering a similar project, I'll be happy to give you a tour.


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Tom Clark
super member


Reged: 11/14/07
Posts: 144
Loc: Chiefland, Florida
Interior of 24' dome new [Re: Tom Clark]
      #2150688 - 01/28/08 07:58 AM Attachment (55 downloads)

This photo shows the inside of the dome and scope.

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jsmiller58
sage


Reged: 06/19/06
Posts: 200
Loc: Out there, Way out there
Re: Interior of 24' dome new [Re: Tom Clark]
      #2153236 - 01/29/08 11:14 AM

Wow! All of us instantly and simultaneously got aperture and observatory envy...!

James

--------------------
- 90mm WO refractor
- 11" Orion SCT
- PlaneWave CDK17 (the "Cosmic Cannon")
- MallinCam Hyper Color Plus
- More eyepieces than I can use, but not one Ethos... Hmmm... How soon till Christmas?
- Atlas EQ-G mount
- Losmandy GM-8 mount
- AP 1200GTO mount
- Pro-Dome-15 Obs
- A wife who doesn't understand my fascination with faint fuzzies, but encourages me anyway
- A 16 year old son who calls me just another nut job with an observatory
- A 14 year old son that still thinks I am cool


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DOM1950
newbie


Reged: 06/13/08
Posts: 3
Loc: quebec canada
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: Bob Hayes]
      #2459023 - 06/13/08 11:04 PM

GOOD NEIGHT TO YOU IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE YOUR OBSERVATORIES PLANS IN THE PDF FORMAT
DOMINIQUE MONGRAIN QUEBEC CANADA DSNC@XITTEL.CA


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GrampianStars
member


Reged: 07/15/04
Posts: 23
Loc: Grampians, Australia
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: Tom Clark]
      #2468756 - 06/18/08 11:23 PM

Hello Tom
absolutely sensational. Has got my building fetish going again.
Though I will only be building a 5 metre version
Congrats

--------------------
Robert
37° 11' 32.5" Sth 142° 36' 45.5" Est
LX200 GPS12-Mity Wedge-GPDX-SS2K-ED80-ZS80
CDK17 wannabe


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John Fitzgerald
In Focus
*****

Reged: 01/04/04
Posts: 1259
Loc: AR
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: GrampianStars]
      #2539769 - 07/24/08 11:07 PM

"Headwater Observatory" in this forum.HW Obs link

--------------------
?
Observing since 1966
Messier Cert #898


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kiwisailor
Pooh-Bah


Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 1110
Loc: Lyttelton, New Zealand
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: John Fitzgerald]
      #2565546 - 08/07/08 05:16 AM

Vintage dome how-to, Yoke mounted Reflector moves with rotation of dome Observatory Plans Click on how to build an observatory to view the plan

Steve

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

Don't wait until tomorrow, start procrastinating today!

Sky-Watcher 8" F5 Newt
Mmmm Moonlite CR2


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kiwisailor
Pooh-Bah


Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 1110
Loc: Lyttelton, New Zealand
Re: Building an observatory, links of interest. new [Re: kiwisailor]
      #2569815 - 08/09/08 03:04 AM

Brayebrook Observatory Main Page
Brayebrook Home Page
This publication on the Brayebrook site might be of interest:
Designing & Constructing a Domed Astronomical Observatory
PDF here
Being a detailed description of the design and construction methods of an aluminium alloy domed observatory intended for a large amateur equatorial telescope.

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

Don't wait until tomorrow, start procrastinating today!

Sky-Watcher 8" F5 Newt
Mmmm Moonlite CR2


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