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Portable/cheap "observatory" option

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#1 SuiGeneris

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 01:39 PM

Short backstory: my best viewing nights tend to be around this time of year...which comes with the issue that this is also the coldest time of year, and temperatures below -20C (-5F) are not uncommon. While I don't mind the temperatures (a warm toque + whiskey goes a long way), the arctic winds we get are problematic. -20C in still air is fine...add a stiff breeze and it quickly becomes unbearable. Plus the wind introduces a lot of vibration into my telescope, making observations difficult and imaging impossible.

 

Any sort of a permanent observatory is not in the cards - it's not in the budget, and I move my scope around to a few locations (only one of which I own) depending on the direction I want to view. I've seen a few "observatory tents" for sale, but they are a) **** expensive for a tent, and b) their instructions state to not use them in wind, both of which eliminate them as meaningful options for me.

 

I've tried a few things (tarp on poles, plywood "shield" on legs) without much success - anyone solved this issue and be willing to share what you came up with?


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#2 Rick-T137

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 01:48 PM

I'd be very interested in this as well. I've thought about buying a tent and cutting a hole in the roof - but if there's a better solution, I'm all for it as I'm in the same situation you are.

 

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#3 slavicek

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 01:57 PM

Well dressing up warmly is an option. I use this option for years. Going to dark site in the winter also means going to cold site...

I use few layers and I top it off with my dry suit extreme undergarment which I use to use for deep sea scuba diving. Also, I have some Canadian boots which are good to -160 degrees (?). Few other things and I feel comfortable. So much so that I do not realize how cold it is until I touch an eyepiece with my bare fingers. True story.

Otherwise you have to spend the money or build it yourself.

GL


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#4 photoracer18

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 01:59 PM

Well the AstroGazer soft-side observatory is rated for wind. In fact there is an add on kit rated for 70 MPH and a video of one of theirs surviving during a hurricane in FL. Only unfortunate thing is while they don't sell them anymore they do still support them fully. I have one I traded Gary Hand a telescope for. Plan on finally putting it up this year. However its not cheap as I have turned down offers of $1500 for it. Its 10' across and the top part rotates manually.

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Edited by photoracer18, 21 January 2025 - 02:08 PM.

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#5 jupiter122

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 02:22 PM

I know they make observatory tents but don’t think they are cheap.

 

Maybe something like this for ease of setup. 

 

https://www.amazon.c...MVHF0Y4RF&gQT=1

 

Just make sure to use seam tape around the edges of the tent where you cut. 

 

Tim


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#6 mountman

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 02:47 PM

If you are a DIY'er, check out

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=LUoQw180fe0

 

and

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=5nrKqwXDKtc


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#7 Gmb1830

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 02:54 PM

I keep looking at my kids' trampoline and wonder if, once they're done with it, I could run some blue tarps up the safety net structure and have a nice protected area. 

 

Similar, but maybe more practical, would be to take one of these canopy designs and figure out how to add tarp walls while removing the roof:

https://www.harborfr...2899.html?gQT=1

 

The roof beams could be a problem, though, and I don't know how much of the strength is in the fabric.  And it'd need anchoring in the winds.  Ones we use at the beach are either connected to strong stakes in the sand or attached to 5 gal buckets filled with concrete.  Not exactly easily portable.



#8 TOMDEY

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 03:22 PM

No harm in asking, but >>> This and other intersecting desirements are sought here often. In the Venn diagram calculus... it's tautoligical that the all and also cheap intersection simply doesn't exist.

 

Sturdy, convenient, windproof, weatherproof, cheap.

 

   A     Õˆ      B        Õˆ      C       Õˆ        D                            â‰       Ã˜

 

(  A     Õˆ      B        Õˆ      C       Õˆ        D  )      Õˆ   E           =       Ã˜

 

Which is to say that you can have it all... but not on the cheap.

This also explains why ~serious~ amateur astronomers (eventually) build their own observatories.    Tom

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Edited by TOMDEY, 21 January 2025 - 03:22 PM.

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#9 TimN

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 03:43 PM

You may want to check the 'Observatory' forum as there are many solutions - including inexpensive - that are discussed there.


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#10 Rick-T137

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 03:43 PM

This is kind of along the lines of what I was thinking. I am a DYI'er so building something like this would be pretty simple. I'm handy with plumbing pipe - that's what I was thinking of using. And some tarps. I could probably build a portable structure (ie: it would come apart and go in the back of my Fiat) for just a few hundred dollars.

 

Thanks! This gets the brain juices going...



#11 AlamoBob

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 04:40 PM

* A Tuffshed without the roof.

* find a used ice fishing shanty...without the roof.

 

You probably can't heat any of these options, because that would cause the air to positively RIPPLE.


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#12 grif 678

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 06:46 PM

In the vintage  Sky Observers Guide  book that was famous in the 60's, many of us have these now. Close to the back, they have one of the old aluminum storage sheds, maybe about 6 x 6, you can get them larger, they have a 4 inch refractor inside. It seems like they have a slot in the top, that can be removed and then put back in place? Anyway, do not know what they cost today, but back then they were under $100, but you had to put it together. Worth looking at it in the book.


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#13 astrohamp

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 07:25 PM

Sui' you haven't said if the enclosure is for equipment and you or just one.

 

For me and my EAA observing at star parties with a 30" monitor and laptop I felt the need to isolate myself (only) from the visual folks.  For this I take my 'dark shed' seen here at a gathering in Maine, and here much earlier at a Cherry Springs star party.

 

It serves me well in that the material used is total light block with minimal seam leakage while broadcasting slightly through open vent ports.  I also use it to keep out bugs as the ambient glow is a major attracter.  The walls do condense moisture (exhaled breath) on cooler nights certainly near 0C the coldest I have used it in.

 

There are many varieties made and sizes as well up to 10'x10' from the company that made my 4'x4' model.  I am currently testing out a 5'x5' model set on it's 80" side to see if it will fit both my telescope, myself, a small table for monitor/laptop placement, and a swivel chair.  The roof hole is actually the doorway facing up.  My hope is that setting up inside with 5' high walls would tend to throw monitor/laptop light up and not out towards fellow observers.  This would let me connect to the visual night sky and allow me to stand and observe the field rather that unzip the door each time.  Currently set up in the family room much to my DW's apprehension.

 

The fabric is already quite stiff to begin with and I imagine at -20C it would be stiffer then cardboard requiring day time full sun to possibly become manageable.   It also would require a water proof tarp overhead to reduce water intrusion during the inevitable rain storm.  Being flat roofed snow loading would be an issue although my 5x5 does come with three cross member hanger bars that would stall snow loading cave in.

 

Portable yes, but not something I would want to set up just for the night very often.  At -20C it might just be impracticable. It is 9F out right now headed towards the negative single digits tonight.  Just not going there.

 

Hope you find some easily assembled frame out there you can string tarps into/from.

Enjoy the night sky and occasional aurora.



#14 Bill Weir

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 08:14 PM

Sui' you haven't said if the enclosure is for equipment and you or just one.

 

For me and my EAA observing at star parties with a 30" monitor and laptop I felt the need to isolate myself (only) from the visual folks.  For this I take my 'dark shed' seen here at a gathering in Maine, and here much earlier at a Cherry Springs star party.

 

It serves me well in that the material used is total light block with minimal seam leakage while broadcasting slightly through open vent ports.  I also use it to keep out bugs as the ambient glow is a major attracter.  The walls do condense moisture (exhaled breath) on cooler nights certainly near 0C the coldest I have used it in.

 

There are many varieties made and sizes as well up to 10'x10' from the company that made my 4'x4' model.  I am currently testing out a 5'x5' model set on it's 80" side to see if it will fit both my telescope, myself, a small table for monitor/laptop placement, and a swivel chair.  The roof hole is actually the doorway facing up.  My hope is that setting up inside with 5' high walls would tend to throw monitor/laptop light up and not out towards fellow observers.  This would let me connect to the visual night sky and allow me to stand and observe the field rather that unzip the door each time.  Currently set up in the family room much to my DW's apprehension.

 

The fabric is already quite stiff to begin with and I imagine at -20C it would be stiffer then cardboard requiring day time full sun to possibly become manageable.   It also would require a water proof tarp overhead to reduce water intrusion during the inevitable rain storm.  Being flat roofed snow loading would be an issue although my 5x5 does come with three cross member hanger bars that would stall snow loading cave in.

 

Portable yes, but not something I would want to set up just for the night very often.  At -20C it might just be impracticable. It is 9F out right now headed towards the negative single digits tonight.  Just not going there.

 

Hope you find some easily assembled frame out there you can string tarps into/from.

Enjoy the night sky and occasional aurora.

Interesting use of a grow-op enclosure. Nicely done. Even has the ability to run a fan pushing air in so you won’t suffocate when you decide to zip it up all the way up. 

 

I wish more imagers would be this considerate at star parties.

 

Bill



#15 sevenofnine

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 08:50 PM

This could work for you. Anything under $200 in this hobby is "reasonable" IMO. moneyeyes.gif

 

https://www.ebay.com...490.c101224.m-1.


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#16 zizzapnia

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 10:10 PM

If you just want to get out of the direct wind, try a simple windscreen. I've used the following, but note that I sit when I observe so they're not very tall:

 

Homemade with PVC and opaque/water repellent fabric. The PVC joints tend to get too tight in the summer and too loose in the winter, affecting ease of setup and wind resistance. Mostly it worked very well:

 

Light/wind screen

 

Same, simplified with fewer PVC pieces and some guy lines instead. Easier to set up and resists the wind a bit better. 

 

Light and wind screen
 
Bought at a local Lidl grocery store, works well but kind of a pain to set up:
 
Wind screen And scope
 
There are some similar ones on Amazon, for example: wind screen. Search for "privacy wind blocker" and you'll get a bunch, including this one which is similar to my homemade screen.

 


Edited by zizzapnia, 21 January 2025 - 10:19 PM.

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#17 SuiGeneris

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Posted 22 January 2025 - 07:47 AM

That is brilliant, and well within my ability to make. I've built the missus several small hoop-houses using almost the same technique (except they are horizontal tubes, not vertical). It's also kind of obvious and I feel a little dumb for not thinking of that myself. 

 

Sui' you haven't said if the enclosure is for equipment and you or just one.

 

For me and my EAA observing at star parties with a 30" monitor and laptop I felt the need to isolate myself (only) from the visual folks.  For this I take my 'dark shed' seen here at a gathering in Maine, and here much earlier at a Cherry Springs star party.

 

I have a smaller one of those that I use to grow mushrooms - I may haul it outside tonight for a test run. Mines a little short so I'll have to squat, but it'll be good for a test run. The light-proofness is also a nice bonus - my neighbour has a large grain storage/drying setup that is alway lit, so even on warmer/calmer nights this may be useful for cutting down on that incident light.

 

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!


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#18 astrohamp

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Posted 22 January 2025 - 08:10 AM

I like your windbreak zizz' as it combines ease of set up, less bulk to transport, and cost.

 

Thanks for the kudos Bill on my attempt at maintaining other's dark adaption as I was visual for several decades prior to going to the 'dark side' doing EAA.  There are many others who are trying as well although some do not see that the fabric used or construction chosen may not be up to the task.  This shown in some Ytube videos of star party attendees under cover being viewed with night vision.  Some shelters glow in the dark even in red light.

 

SUI', the OP, I did put the fabric tub material supplied with the 'grow tent' I use outside last night starting at 9F.  This morning I checked it out at almost -6F finding it to still be pliable and similarly stiff in hand.  Material does not stretch one bit at normal temperatures and remains foldable even in this cold.  Unfortunately this new 5x5 model uses plastic tri-leg corner pieces (unlike the 4x4 using metal).  I can't say how the plastic ones will hold up during the flexi assembly process when super chilled. 

 

Some folks have bought into the canopy and tarp pole structure purchasing pieces like this to assemble their own open roof cube.  I looked into this but kept searching until I came across the horticultural industry and plant grow structures which is what I now use.  Spendy yes yet turn key.  My dark shed has withstood many down pours (with some leakage) and two separate wind event micro burst passings.  The first sending an unsecured canopy/cabana up-air colliding into the side of the shed.  Some scopes in the field did not fair well that day.  Guy lines are required and in full use.



#19 GrassLakeRon

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Posted 22 January 2025 - 08:36 AM

I move my truck to protect me in the wind. At 22' feet long and 8' tall it works just fine. Use your vehicle.
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#20 BlueMoon

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Posted 22 January 2025 - 08:41 AM

Google "portable pop up shower". There are a number of them large enough to provide shelter for an observer and gear. Cheers.


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#21 astrohamp

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Posted 06 February 2025 - 11:10 PM

How did the test run go SuiG'?

 

I set up my 5'x5'x80" on it's side indoors and have be trying to fit my workstation (laptop) in a bin on the table, a chair, and the 102 refractor in it.

 

The image shows my last effort where two sides are unzipped and folded on the floor.  The 'window' opening opposite is probably where I would enter/exit after set up as the large opening would be zipped up and the remaining side (now the top opening) folded over the associated corner pole.

 

Parking the scope parallel to the ground would allow the new top to be zipped up but a water proof tarp would be needed to cover and protect.  Two of the "hanger supports" would be installed to brace the top.  I probably would put a blow up beach ball on top of this 'side panel now top' under the tarp to shed rain that inevitably occurs.  Guy lines in force.

 

The large opening and my seated position, would be oriented due south to give the best clearance to the OTA FOV.  My second pier adapter and the park position can only go so high for fit.

 

I will need to see if monitor glow will be broadcast up and not glare sideways avoiding intrusion into an observing field else I may just not use it as an observatory.  Just a wind break and lookie loo avoidance device from unknown intruders.

 

 

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#22 jcj380

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Posted 07 February 2025 - 10:12 AM

Some folks have bought into the canopy and tarp pole structure purchasing pieces like this to assemble their own open roof cube.  

waytogo.gif   I've been using PVC table flanges screwed to plywood rounds when I use my curtains free standing, but the footpads this vendor sells look like a better option.  Thanks for the vendor link!



#23 jrussell

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Posted 07 February 2025 - 11:03 AM

I keep looking at my kids' trampoline and wonder if, once they're done with it, I could run some blue tarps up the safety net structure and have a nice protected area. 

 

Similar, but maybe more practical, would be to take one of these canopy designs and figure out how to add tarp walls while removing the roof:

https://www.harborfr...2899.html?gQT=1

 

The roof beams could be a problem, though, and I don't know how much of the strength is in the fabric.  And it'd need anchoring in the winds.  Ones we use at the beach are either connected to strong stakes in the sand or attached to 5 gal buckets filled with concrete.  Not exactly easily portable.

I've wondered about something similar using one of these minus the canopy top https://www.walmart....03&from=/search

 

I just don't know how much of a problem the mesh would be in addition to the roof beams as far as seeing. I'm sure for AP it'd be useless, but I'm a visual observer so I'm looking at it from that POV.

 

I've also wondered about something like this

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  • Screenshot 2025-01-31 105728.jpg

Edited by jrussell, 07 February 2025 - 11:05 AM.

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#24 ChristianG

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Posted 11 February 2025 - 03:27 PM

I have an Explore Scientific 2-room portable observatory that is taking up room in my storage. For some reason, I have not been able to completely fold it back the way it came. Never used it, as we built ourselves an actual platform and dome observatory. Perhaps that would do, if the guy ropes are used?

 

--Christian

 

ESTent.jpg

 

 



#25 csrlice12

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Posted 11 February 2025 - 09:25 PM

Just sit outside, be patient, and wait for the snow to pile up...in a hurry, make a snow fort.  Better yet let the neighborhood kids build a snow fort....keep it going all Winter.




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