37 replies to this topic

[Gork]

My last article was an overview of Fairhavens, my first dedicated observatory, along with its untimely demise. It is now five years later and I am ready to try again. Being a rental home I could not build a permanent structure (I couldn’t afford one anyway). So, I started looking for a temporary structure that would protect my gear from the elements and still leave room to move about.

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[DaleEh]

spaceastronomy.com is showing up as a URL for sale, the name under your photo.

[XB-36]

Great article and fun to read. I have one question, What is the name of the tent that you bought?

[FRANKVSTAR]

 You could also build a cheap wooden and block structure, circular and use and old fiberglass satellite dish as a dome. I have a 10.5 ft dome on my observatory spinning around on cheap stainless steel bearing from Amazon. I have photos in one of the (show me a pic of your observatory) forums.

[fn_asptgp24105]

This article came at some great timing. I've been spending the past couple of days trying to find something like this to have my scope "permanently" outside but also avoiding the direct sunlight (even with the cover, that doesn't help much). As asked above, where did you grab this? I can't seem to find it on Amazon.

 

Also - did it come with the floor tarp or did you buy that separately? 

[Berlyn1979]

i believe is http://store.smartastronomy.com/

 

spaceastronomy.com is showing up as a URL for sale, the name under your photo.

[rainysoon]

Explore scientific telescope tent. Available at amazon

[EGregerson]

ebay has this tent: 299

[vanrennard]

Awesome

[the_chemist]

any idea how it will hold up in the sun? 

[meansrt]

The tent is a ClearView Observatory Tent

[je2000]

I gotta ask, what does the landlord think of the 1/2 ton of gravel in his backyard?

[Gork]

Great article and fun to read. I have one question, What is the name of the tent that you bought?

The name is listed under the first picture.

[Gork]

 You could also build a cheap wooden and block structure, circular and use and old fiberglass satellite dish as a dome. I have a 10.5 ft dome on my observatory spinning around on cheap stainless steel bearing from Amazon. I have photos in one of the (show me a pic of your observatory) forums.

At 75 my construction days are over!

[Gork]

This article came at some great timing. I've been spending the past couple of days trying to find something like this to have my scope "permanently" outside but also avoiding the direct sunlight (even with the cover, that doesn't help much). As asked above, where did you grab this? I can't seem to find it on Amazon.

 

Also - did it come with the floor tarp or did you buy that separately? 

Comes with  a floor but it is advertised as a temporary structure.  My yard is so protected I thought I'd take a chance.

[Gork]

any idea how it will hold up in the sun? 

Better than the wind.

[Gork]

I gotta ask, what does the landlord think of the 1/2 ton of gravel in his backyard?

I've lived here for two years and have had no support from the Landlord.  I doubt that some pea gravel on top of desert dirt and rocks will make much difference.

[Dupree]

Great little read.  I like the first-person-suffering dialog.  I could really relate to the part where you "stood in the backyard like a Do-Do bird at night with my eyes about telescope level."  This was me too, on more than a few occasions.  In my case, I was looking to center my SkyShed POD, but I can certainly relate to your situation.  Luckily, we don't have goat-heads in the part of Southern Ontario where I live. Hope your new observatory gives you hours pleasing views of the night sky.

[Travelmonkey]

I have this tent anyone want it ??  $250 shipped brand new! i set it up 1 time

[gustavo_sanchez]

It was a very fun read. Thanks for sharing.

[mfratto]

Great article and fun to read. I have one question, What is the name of the tent that you bought?

Search for "ClearView Portable Observatory" The name is not under the first picture.

[AnakChan]

I believe the tent comes in many names depending on your region. In the US it's ClearView Portable Observatory. It's been sale for as long as I've seen it on smart astronomy.com. The European rendition of the tent is called Omegon Tent Observatory from Omegon.eu. And in Japan Tomita used to sell their version too as Hoshimaku.

I think they're all basically the same OEMed. I think this seems fine for small scope imaging, and mid sized scopes for visual but maybe less suited for mid sized scope for imaging as it's not tall enough for sheltering from the wind.

Kudos to the op for the effort to build and share here!

[dries1]

All the best for your significant other.

 

Andy W.

[rocketman266]

Great article. I think most of the southwest has those obnoxious weeds. I walked to a dark site in my flip flops on nite (105° f) air temp when I felt these pains like little needles in my foot soles. At first i couldn't figure it out however upon closer inspection revealed about 10 goat head in each sandal.

[dries1]

Just to add,  thank your son for his service, and clear skies ahead.

No you you have me thinking what could I set up that would fit a zero gravity chair.

 

Andy W.