Diy observatory dome. It uses … Now for the roof.

Diy observatory dome 2m and two 2. I have a Pulsar 2. 7m domes there was a Pulsar-supplied, dome-mounted,battery powered system. A roll off roof is awkward in my space and won't block light from upstairs. Interesting to hear about your plans Alan, sounds like some nice opportunities for better observing and potentially darker skies ahead. My name is Stanislav. It will not be a geodesic design, and will be a simpler ribbed design with curved gords. Is this possible? My mount is a CGX-L with the standard hands Not truly a post on DIY observatories, but I did not know where else to put it. With a combined total of over 40 years in the business, Gary and Steve bring together a wealth of engineering talent, electronic and building skills and experience. I even had my car valet wax and polish it once. would like to achive it at a cheaper price to that quoted by pulsar. There are a few considerations when selecting an I started this topic as an introduction to my main post about my DIY Dome observatory, but my project had different goal. I wish to automate the whole dome. 2m full height domes. floor plan. Again I followed SkyShed's plans for this but just a couple of notes for the non-roofers:1) the screws are specially made for installing metal panels as they have a rubber washer attached to seal it from rain,2) it is extremely hard to find a beam to screw into, you might want to turn the crossbeams onto their Today we are touring Christopher Baker's home observatory that he designed and built himself. A dome, more complex and costly, limits the view but does provide excellent wind and light protection. While I could automate the shutter by a motor remote control switch, it is hard to know where the opening of Observatories Professional telescopes and equipment deserve a professional setup, and only at OPT can you find the most comprehensive and impressive selection of astronomy observatory domes. 2M FULL HEIGHT DOME; PULSAR OBSERVATORY PIER; PULSAR PIER FITTING KIT; INDUCTION CHARGER FOR I'd worry about the dome taking off in a gale unless more serious ground anchoring is also applied. Learn how to choose the perfect location, assemble a telescope, and maintain your equipment for a clear, unobstructed view of the cosmos right from your backyard. 1m Dome: - I will have to wait to collect until the lockdown is over and will still need to be careful due to my wife's cancer tre Hi, I want to install a simple drive system for my observatory dome shutter. By mountainmadman January 29, 2018 in DIY I park my refractor horizontally when not in use because it keeps the lens out of the apex of the dome where it tends to get hot on a sunny day but I don't know that's really necessary I have a domed observatory with a side-by-side set-up myself. DIY Observatories ; Micro-observatory build plan Facebook; Twitter; Youtube; Micro-observatory build plan. It was never intended to be used for visual observation, so an overall dome diameter of 1. The aim is to be able to efficiently ask for help and information when the need (frequently!!) arises. Part of the motivation was the challenge of constructing a dome, plus an overall design which was small and would not look too obtrusive in the garden. 5" deep concrete added to Often amateurs mimic the classic refractor domes of the 1800s with tiny shutters matching the relatively small OGs. It also has the advantage of retaining heat on cold nights. It’s Now for the roof. I am sure you know this but the VM110 board can only cope with a relatively low pulse rate from the encoder. I h The dome rotation is already automated using motors and an encoder into an ASCOM driver. Posted July 23, 2018. 7m observatory sitting in my [rural] front garden. The two challenges, then, are (a) stopping the dome flying, or being lifted, off; and ( stopping rain blowing underneath. It’s why professional observatories are in remote locations. DIY Observatories ; Homemade observatory dome + accessories Facebook; Twitter; Youtube; Homemade observatory dome + accessories. 6 metres; Ideal for up to 12" telescopes and a variety of installations, also ideal for societies, schools, etc. All looks normal with the Static board - the Serial Monitor output is similar though not identical to the one in the MagicWire PDF. OPT is ready to assist you every step of the way from finding the one you want, to shipping, and making sure everything I would like to share my 2019 Observatory project with you and for anyone thinking of a Pulsar Dome in the future. Va3ngc’s DIYObservatory dome via D+N+Rlast year I started drafting up plans for a brand new wooden dome. I have tried various waxes (including v expensive Brazilian boat wax). SGL Responsive - v4 (Default By Urban Dome July 23, 2018 in DIY Observatories. Hi, I am in the process of demolishing my leaky DIY 2-story, 3m observatory. So I built a 6 observatory and threw it on the top. Head to https://www. DIY Home aluminium anodising. I want to add shutter actuators, but the factory kits are pretty pricey. An astronomical observatory dome controller based on two Arduino boards. Observatories Professional telescopes and equipment deserve a professional setup, and only at OPT can you find the most comprehensive and impressive selection of astronomy observatory domes. 26th. These Bung one on top of a suitable shed and you are ready to go: Pulsar 2 2m Short Height Observatory Dome. Tonight I thought of a flip-lid observatory - if the roof flips up it will provide more shading. The segments were secured to the dome with 5mm x 40mm long AB point security torx stainless steel screws. I am drawing up the plans now with Sketchup but I'm wondering wgat suitable dimensions would be. See the whole process onhttp://ravenandowl. This is designed to provide a protective shelter for your equipment and optimize viewing conditions by blocking out light pollution. The Rigel Shutter Drive System is £950. The ED II is the largest Observatory Dome we make it is 11’6” on the body diameter 12” 6” on the rails of the door. 7m model. 3 metres; Door Height approx: 1. I am considering a Pulsar full-height dome. I would like to have 8 or 9 foot walls; that said, how do I go about calculating how high into the dome my pier should go? In other words, how tall should my co A dome is simply too complicated to build and far too expensive to buy. This type of observatory has all the advantages of a clamshell dome: a vast and almost unrestrcited nightsky, easy operation. 2m Dome rotation automation Facebook; Twitter; Youtube; Old style Pulsar 2. Here we will outline the construction of a domed-roof observatory. But the HiNow we have our final house we have decided to build/buy an observatory this year. 2m and the 2. For moving the roof For the 2. It uses the MaxDome II serial protocol for compatibility with existing software. DEALERS. diy observatory; 12 replies; 311 views; newbostonian; November 30; A slightly unusual observatory build 1 2 3. I have emailed Pulsar and am sure they will come up with the goods, but I’m impatient! Does anybody have the latest Pulsar ASCOM Dome Driver install p Hi, Resurrecting this post as I’m just in the process of erecting my 2. intersection RA/DEC axis): Some software (like MountWizzard) knows the offset to the intersection of the RA/DEC axis for a number of mounts and require the centre of the base Astronomy DIY by Rodolphe Pineau. i ended up using pvc (solvent type) wast pipe and a hot air gun to bend it into shape and then glue'd it all together DIY 10ft dome plans - posted in Observatories: Built my 10ft dome in mid 70s to house a clutch of scopes around a 17. Exploradome DIY shutter automation? - posted in Observatories: I’m picking up a preowned Exploradome in two weeks. Don't make the mistakes There has been much discussion on here about how to deal with a deteriorating fibreglass dome with the aim of making it look shiny new again. Building Your Own Personal Observatory. More Info. We now offer a much better solution to a DIY setup for your backyard observatory. It like Pulsar's own system uses a battery An astronomical observatory dome controller based on two Arduino boards. squares They, in turn, will be individually fitted to the dome and it's manufacturing irregularities. Eight pieces make one complete circle. I was thinking along the lines of an open/close handset control electric motor set up, without computer involvement. SGL Responsive - v4 (Default) Default Simple A new home-built 2,2 m Dome. I went for a circled concrete base, I personally think they look better. (Note: you do NOT need a tri-phase power connection!) Advantages: At the moment I'm thinking this: if I get a hemispherical dome with a flange, I could mount upside-down casters on the top of the observatory base and run the down around on these really easily. 1 Pulsar. 2m PUlsar dome with Rigel rotation unit or an 8ft x 7ft Roll Off from Home OBservatory UK (Although cannot get hold of them at the momnet, assume they are busy or on hols) I appreciate there are pros and cons DIY enthusiasts can take on a roll-off project themselves, which in turn significantly diminishes upfront costs. NexDome Observatories Inc. Home observatories have always been a part of amateur astronomy, but they seem to have had a surge in popularity during the last Hi! As I discovered it's very time consuming to set up all equipment I got interested in having a stationary place for my telescope. See my profile if you are curious. A modification would be nice to hinge the ears or replace them with bolts so the dome could be fully assembled on the ground and locked in place. It uses Now for the roof. DIY Observatories ; Automating a 2. By tony210 February 25, 2018 in DIY Observatories. For the 2. Dome observatories are highly efficient at isolating specific portions of the sky. I recommend at least a third of the dome diameter eg 1m wide for 3m dome. Similar to this image below. But you can Finally, the rotating slit opening dome construction. Ballauer Observatory is based on a 10 x 20 ft. What goes on inside a honey bee hive? What is happening with all those bees unsupervised in the dark? The human curiosity which drives us to watch so called “reality TV” live footage of a group of people living together, also drives bee keepers. This platform bolts to the inner ring of the Hi, I am in the process of demolishing my leaky DIY 2-story, 3m observatory. One of the most exciting parts of building a backyard observatory is choosing and installing the dome. Simple, affordable and "replications ready" observatory. Dome Room. 7 metres; Wall Height approx 1. DIY; Observatory dome controller Dome rotation controller hardware. rot badly will need the observatory jacking up so that the plank can be extracted and replaced which means the entire observatory timber-dome seal has to be cut away and redone. I presume it is a separate install. Source materials. Recommended Posts. Webcam Mods Linux based DIY observatory control? - posted in Observatories: I have my observatory setup to work with the great DIY LesveDome control system. Other options include a dome roof, or an electric roll-back roof. 2m Dome rotation automation. The dome is the iconic structure that houses the telescope and viewing window. Photo showing the outer shell of the Dome with the torx screws in position. The main controller is connected to a PC by a USB cable. Like expansion bolts into concrete or "epoxy" chemical fixing of long, galvanized bolts. I went back forth on whether to buy or build here. The Dome layout The dome is a 2. It has to hou Automation systems control telescope movements, dome rotation, and data acquisition, which will significantly enhance the functionality of your observatory, giving you more time to enjoy it. After removing my temporary roof, I installed the charcoal gray steel roof. Or, try building one of Peter Drew's arched domes. Hi guys and girls, I would like your thoughts on my grand design for my observatory as Kevin McCloud is busy and I am looking for that little gem of advice which may help me navigate around or avoid a common or not so common problem already addressed by the informed users of SL. Bi-parting [Palomar] sliding shutters are showy but can be wind scoops and must be perfectly engineered to avoid jamming and fully seal when closed. We also provide DIY tips on how to build your own backyard observatory, where you can relax and observe the night sky at your leisure. I don't think is yet directly slaved to the telescope. Dome Diameter approx 2. The 8’ Explora-Dome I and the 11’ 6” ExploraDome II are molded and easily duplicated, thus reducing the cost to an affordable level. Stages in the development of a DIY chain driven hatch control for my homemade dome observatory. At £500 for a pier, and I'm wondernig if I can laser cut, weld and powercoat the For the 2. Location, location, location. bottom of page had to replace the ply dome and needed something that was UV resistant so after a lot of research i opted for external uPVC, it took a lot of head scratching on how to build it i. Details here https://astrokeith. Homemade DIY telescope focuser & telescope filter wheel. Q. Our observatory is fully automated and can be opened remotely with a DIY USB relay control. I am sure it could be done at less cost. The problem is that my lot has 5 large pecan trees each one is about 50 Hi, I'm after some advice on dome slaving. By LuckieEddie, May 6. A significant part of the home observatory setup is the observatory dome or roof. A simple “roll-off roof ” observatory was also an alternative. The shutter opening is 45” and goes 15 degrees past Zenith. Currently I have two networked miniature high performance industrial PCs installed in the observatory: 1/. As i'll also finally have a workshop for my CNC and any other gear, i'm thinking of making some sort of dome, so wondering if anyone has seen plans for one that will house a The ASCOM scope-dome hub calculates the required dome azimuth and sends it to the Dome via our ASCOM dome driver – which we must create. The approximately 4m wide dome can already house a big Cassegrain. A formal replacement dome would cost in excess of £40,000. The Dome driver handles the communication down the COM port to the Arduino which is In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of building your own sliding roof or dome for your home observatory. Note the "ears" that keep the dome from rising up. I have attached of my 2. Tired off taking the telescope out and then in a few hours later, I decided to build an observatory. com. mfalzon. Hi guys! I thought I'd pass on this link to a blog I am constructing. 6BL Dome. skybadger. The most popular design appears to be that from Pulsar who offer 2. Costs asid Finding the perfect spot for your home observatory is crucial. The battery then supplies power to the motor that opens and closes the shut You can find DIY observatory plans online, or you can create your own design. Unfortunately, the cost of getting a pre-fab dome installed here is quite expensive. Pretty radial move and shame all shutters aren't 1/3rd dome diam initially. As a planning guide, it will help you maximize your chances of successfully creating a trouble-free installation, and help find the best site and equipment. Common issues are the following: - measurements taken using the wrong reference (centre base of mount vs. If you have a light coloured dome you can take your flat frames through the dome in the day time. To be honest most projects have been held in obeyance with work and my daughters continuing care needs, but 'all work Observatory Dome or Roof. The observatory diameter is 3. I have a bought a dome, and although my current pier is concrete and works well, i thought that a metal one might be a bit more fitting for the dome. Observatories: A forum for discussing the ins and outs of current observatories as well as sharing designs, and ideas. are an absolutlly cost-effective alternative for those that do not want, or for whatever reason, cannot have a dome. Home Dome/Technical Innovations, Skyshed, & ExploraDome Started by peculiar_polar_ring , 09 Aug 2024 : 21 replies 1,848 views; mborland Pulsar observatory DIY motor dome rotation Started by Cunedda , 26 May 2024 : 9 As with any major building project, a personal DIY observatory demands attention to a myriad of details, some obvious, some not. I have a (second) The wood one looks good if you want to do some visual with a non-aligned scope or binoculars, but i think would be too restrictive for imaging or if you wanted to use goto as such a small patch of sky would be visible at any one time, unless one could put a pier in the middle of the shed and rotate it around the pier, but still as gina said the zenith is out of reach. I shall then nail radial pieces in b Hi, I would like some input from you kind peopel out there. For imaging, the dome and equipment will be operated from a warm room but never fully automated i. tony210. Does anyon Hi - 1st post here Don't seem to see many amateur DIY domed observatories on the forum? Mine didn't cost any more than a converted shed but, unlike the RoR, gives complete protection for me and my scope from dew, wind and local light pollution - way to go:D Mine and a mate's linked here After some thought and to-ing and fro-ing on things, I've decided that a DIY dome is the way to go. When I started writing X2 plugin for TheSkyX Pro Dome After a series of issues, I managed to drag a 2. The mount is a DIY project too and by no means insignificant. My goal was to build an observatory on my property with a fully automatable setup, so my experiences with domes are catered to that. The pulse rate of course depends on how many times the encoder turns per dome To be honest, if you look through the DIY observatory section you will find very few DIY Domed observatories. The DIY kit is a lot cheaper than the full jobby (about £1200) and for the sake of building the walls for it the saving is worth having. It’s not as daunting as it might sound, and the benefits are astronomical – pun intended. 2m domes and bases from £3000 or £2000 for the dome only. Before any observation begins, make sure you’ve thoroughly tested and calibrated your equipment. It has to hou question on how to control dome rotation - posted in Observatories: so I had the opportunity to purchase a RoboDome, unfortunately, it was tiny, too tiny to fit my scope as it was made for an LX200. More. With this in mind, and after conversing back and forth with the very helpful Steve at Pulsar Observatories, have just placed my order deposit for one of their 2. Designed for large-scale projects, these domes redefine space with their expansive interiors and unmatched structural integrity. These chains go over sets up wheels up the side of the slit, What distinguishes a rolling roof from a dome roofed observatory is, of course, the roll-off roof feature but also that it allows for a greater viewing range. My landlord was a very amenable guy, but I knew that even he would balk at the sudden appearance of a conventional observatory dome on his property. Some key elements to consider include the size and shape of the observatory, the type of roof (dome or roll-off), and the materials you’ll use to construct the observatory. So, after finding a geodesic dome calculator, and another internet site with some vague plans, I started work. Although the dome is heavy, I can manage it OK opening and shutting, you just have to be careful to make sure you let it down gently otherwise it could slam down quickly and wake all the neighbours up. 13 replies; 410 views; Carbon You could opt for a roll-off roof observatory garden shed, designed to allow the roof to slide off so that you have a full view of the night sky. Share More sharing options Followers 0. Prior to writing the first edition of “Building a Roll-Off Observatory,” he created and sold observatory plans for both roll-off and domed observatory structures at major star parties and to various clients globally. 7 metres; Wall Height approx 250mm; Dome Aperture approx 0. 8 Common Backyard Observatory Mistakes. Hi, I'm looking for suggestions about a good way to get power to the rotating dome of my Pulsar observatory. mfalzon. 2 metre with the dome rotation kit (and two equipment bays) arriving at the end of November and I'd like to slave it to the hand controller rather than buy Maxim DL, SGP etc. I've been considering the purchase of a Pulsar 2. I feel like Windows gets a little more Well After umming and arhhing for more than I should and weighing up the work involved in making a summerhouse obsy, I changed my mind and bought @Steve 1962 Pulsar 2. Members; 208 641 DIY Portable Observatory Ideas - posted in Observatories: I have the perfect dream for my backyard observatory. My research for this involved reading various threads hee on SGL together with visits to four other Pulsar dome owners: two 2. 7m version. 5 DIY observatories built but all [1st in 1970s for club was hinged] were up-and over [like yours?] as these and links. For visual you wouldn't need the extensive (And expensive) automation options. 1 m Dome, which I collected 2nd hand in 2016. e. Geordie mc. Urban Dome. Hi Hugh, I'm in the process of procuring all the components for my MagicWire setup - boards on the way, but I thought I'd play around with the ArduinoNano and upload the software now. Finally, I got a piece of land in a reasonably dark sky (Bortle 4), and I also saved enough money to initiate this DIY project. Top-down view showing the dome structure. . Members; 20 It's taken nearly three years to get to this point, but I'm finally getting around to automating my dome (a new style Pulsar 2. The main controller (DomeController) The shutter controller (DomeShutter) Main controller. Made from Hi all, would like to build a dome observatory as a personal project not only for the challenge of building it but to have a home for my telescopes without taking things down after The original idea was to build a clamshell dome, but I quickly realized that it was either too expensive or complicated to build as a DIY project. Up to100 mph Wind Resistant. I am considering either a 2. The observatory dome features 100% ASCOM compliance, full remote capabillity, proprietary software, power management, plug & play wiring system, six powerful 220VAC tri-phase motors for shutter and rotation. 32. Areas with less artificial light are the best spots for an observatory. Also, if I decide I need a bigger dome this one can act as a scale model. I’ve never owned an observatory so can’t really give any in depth experience, but I did use a dome observatory for few years in my late teens and early twenties - it belonged to my local club, was made of wood and brick, and Dennis di Cicco's "doghouse" observatory progressed from an idea to a working observatory in less than three weeks during the fall of 1982. I used an original Pulsar dome rotation system for a 2. Its only flaws are that its closed source and ASCOM only and thus the only item in my whole system thats keeping me tied to Windows. Especially when doing solar (but at times also planetary) imaging the dome seeing can have a significant effect of the quality of the collected data. Domes are These are a few photos showing steps in my construction of a small 2. 1m Pulsar dome and have some questions. Thanks Jeremy. It’s usually more straightforward and cost-effective to build. Given your situation, can you swing to a dome? They take up less room than a ROR and provide shielding from local light pollution. At beginning, the LesveDomeNet driver was designed for HomeDome from Technical Innovations, in the mean time it has been used on various dome brands : Ash, Exploradome, Sirius and DIY. Craft Ideas With Paper. Little did I know that it would get so involved and take so long. Im not a proffesional builder but I have been building some things in my back yard, this So far I've only seen details of one DIY system for Pulsar Domes - by GeoC (DIY -Dome Automation), put onto a 2. So instead of providing diameter, radius should be provided here. The design will hinge on the type of roof you desire: a rolling off roof or a dome. In the center of the deck is a hole that allows a steel pier to anchor the telescope mount to a 4′-deep concrete footing. 2 metres; Door Height approx 1. Next the Bourns encoder. But the Full alutomated and remote controllable observatories in variaty of sizes. A roll-off roof observatory: This one offers a wider scope of sky view compared to the dome. By choochoo_baloo August 11, 2015 in DIY Observatories. 7m dome then added switches and other components to Building your own observatory is a great way to enhance your enjoyment of getting out under the stars. I intend to detail and illustrate all the steps Something similar to the "flattened dome" shown above, I build a 3 x 3 mtr breeze block walled (1. Anyone automate the shutters on their Exploradome? I know the OEM setup uses a pair of linear actuators for the lower Domes also do have a downside: whilst very comfortable under windy/cold conditions, the capacity of a dome to provide this also results in what is called dome-seeing. I am wondering what the cost can do to make this dome for the astronomical Observatory in the UK? The frame of the dome of marine and birch plywood,covered with yacht varnish,the roof is made of galvanized steel 0,7 mm. 0 on my new Obsy PC, but there is no ASCOM Driver. When I started writing X2 plugin for TheSkyX Pro Dome You might get more posts if the topic was in the DIY Observatory section under equipment, but I'm not sure how you move a topic in SGL. John is well-known as a designer of observatories and telescopes and has been an active solar observer for 30 years. It’s not as basic as setting up your equipment in the backyard. 1 meters, and the slot is 68cm wide. Diy Telescope. Delivery times: Observatory domes are the classic choice, providing a fully enclosed structure that offers maximum protection against weather conditions. Does anyone have any ideas of cheaper options, other than another silo. RoR is not an option because it will require a lot of space and the traditional domes require automation for I owned a quality 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and lived in rented accommodations with a tiny garden that offered a wonderful view of the meridian and a sky almost free of artificial lights. It like Pulsar's own system uses a battery mounted in the dome. Astronomical Observatory. The former is the simplest, most cost-effective choice, allowing the entire roof to slide off, granting a 360-degree view of the sky. ASCOM Scope and Dome Control - posted in Observatories: Wondering if someone on the forum can help me understand how the ASCOM setup for the dome will work. The power I need is from the output of a 'smart' battery charger that is used to charge a 25 Volt LiPO4 battery. Whether it's a simple cover for your tripod-mounted telescope, an easy to build roll off roof on a shed, or a beautiful clam-shell Most observatories use a slice in a dome or a roll-off roof type system, my observatory works quite a bit different. My dome is approx 25 years old so I haven't done bad with the wheels really. Hi, I'm after some advice on dome slaving. DIY enthusiasts can take on a roll-off project themselves, which in turn significantly diminishes upfront costs. I usually have meetings until late as most of my clients and colleagues are from overseas. Look Up Limited is New Zealand's premier observatory specialist, proudly serving the astronomy community, businesses, and educational institutions with comprehensive home observatory solutions. html . Mirrorless Camera Photography. Roll-off roof domes, on the other hand, feature a retractable roof that slides open, allowing for unobstructed views of the night sky. Since this is an observatory on a budget, and I like DIY projects, I opted for a concrete pier. RESOURCES. I decided to do the pier in DIY Clamshell Dome - posted in Observatories: Hello, I live in a Bortle 3 area located in New Zealand. Software; This page groups some of my personal projects related to astronomy. You too can quickly build a basic telescope shelter. I started by purchasing three 2. I'm nearing the end of the project, 6" - 8" concrete floor laid with air-gapped 12" x 1m concrete pier put in over the Finding the perfect spot for your home observatory is crucial. IPS Theme by IPSFocus; Theme Pulsar Observatories have been producing high quality observatory domes for nearly 25 years. 2m dome, bought second-hand, modified it to fit the 2. The observatory will be 10X10 with a 10X6 warm room, ham shack, recording studio, hidey hole for when the in-laws come over, well you get the idea. This has the rubber rollers running on a moulded ledge on the top of the Base Section & rubber rollers attached to the Dome Section, and as you have described, to centralise the Dome to the Base. The need to motorise the dome arose when my old LX200 mount finally gave notice and I decided to invest in a new mount - I opted for an EQ8 GEM. Many budding astronomers choose to convert a traditional shed to an observatory shed using a rolling roof. But don I'm currently setting up my new 2. 4 lengths of CLS timber for stakes and one 8b4 (2440mm - 1220mm) 6mm plywood sheet for shuttering. Now that you have planned out the observatory, it’s time for the construction to begin. 7 metres; Ideal for telescopes larger than 12" aperture and suitable for a variety of installations, also ideal for societies, schools, etc. There are several reasons, which is why most of us turned to traditional roll of roof designs. Astronomy DIY by Rodolphe Pineau. Phase One - Dome Rotation IPS Theme by IPSFocus; Theme . Having long-admired your efforts and the end result in automating the dome rotation on your observatory, I will shortly be in a postion to replicate this process on my own 2. ribuck. Costs asid Look Up Limited is New Zealand's premier observatory specialist, proudly serving the astronomy community, businesses, and educational institutions with comprehensive home observatory solutions. 2m dome; observatory; 5 replies; 498 views; 900SL; October 16; Keter "store it out" ARC as mini observatory? By GTom, October 13. New Members; 4 5 Location: Malta; Posted December 31, 2017. S&T / Dennis di Cicco. It has been a very interesting experience, and I'm so grateful for all the advice and tips from these different sources. . To be honest most projects have been held in obeyance with work and my daughters continuing care needs, but 'all work My question is, “Why?” If you have a dome of light rising 30 degrees over your eastern horizon, as I do, then why obstruct the northern horizon? Using this logic, the argument concerning orientation of the observatory is superfluous. As one who has "been there," let me highlight a few potential problems that you might not see on your blueprints. Posted December 31, 2017. RTI-Zone Observatory dome controller; Dome "simulator" for X2 plugin development; Arduino shield for the NexDome Rotation Kit Dome "simulator" for X2 plugin development. Makes life a lot easier and more time for astrophotography. 1 metre fibreglass dome half way up the country on a pickup truck (don’t try and use a van, it won’t fit!) DIY Observatories ; A journey through automating a dome without breaking the bank IPS Theme by IPSFocus; Theme . DIY Observatories ; Gina's Mini Dome Observatory for Widefield Imaging Rig IPS Theme by IPSFocus; Theme . OPT is ready to assist you every step of the way from finding the one you want, to shipping, and making sure everything The convenience of a permanent observatory cannot be overstated: once you have one, it only takes minutes to be out and observing when the sky conditions are good. It took a while to get to this moment. I have been dreaming about having an astronomical observatory in my backyard for a very long time. To be honest most projects have been held in obeyance with work and my daughters continuing care needs, but 'all work Exploradome DIY shutter automation? - posted in Observatories: I’m picking up a preowned Exploradome in two weeks. The shutter opening is covered by 2 doors that telescope inside one another. Astronomy DIY projects for anodising, autoguiding advice, amp off modes and a no nonsense view of astronomy at the Curdridge Amateur Telescope Observatory Arduino Observatory Dome Lathes and telescopes Fluxgate Magnetometer Weather Station. I really would like to make a working dome. 5 Newt and although now used as a workshop/garage its still in good shape with little maintenance over the years - see avatar and plan below The dome is made of 1/8 marine ply and frameless except for the ply boxbeam at the perimeter and two ply After some thought and to-ing and fro-ing on things, I've decided that a DIY dome is the way to go. I was going to just build a Roll off Roof observatory, but when searching the internet, geodesic domes caught my eye. It's taken nearly three years to get to this point, but I'm finally getting around to automating my dome (a new style Pulsar 2. New observatory roll off roof; Mini load or Mix your own Question; Best Observertaory building for a C8 Evolution Edge HD with Star Sense; Observatory Build; Oska's Rest; DIY Observatory Question; Calculating wall height for roll of roof observatory question. If when buying new, and you can spare the extra cash, get the two bays. observatories; diy; dome; By mfalzon December 31, 2017 in DIY Observatories. 0. DIY Observatories ; Dome slaving calculating offsets- RA centre IPS Theme by IPSFocus; Theme . Is this possible? My mount is a CGX-L with the standard hands This instructable tells you how to build your own Honey Bee Observation Dome. ED II Observatory W/8” Mounting Ring & Wheel Kit ED11. 2m dome), which I brought second hand back in 2017. If you only do visual work, and don’t need a That is why they cost so much. The Pulsar Observatory dome is sectional in design, and is delivered in kit form. Clear Skies, Shep This is the most advanced 3M clamshell dome on the market. 7m wholly fibreglass dome, the shutter is in two parts - an upper sliding section and a lower sliding section which tucks under the upper section as it moves up the dome and is pulled out as it comes down. DIY Observatories ; The dome for the astronomical Observatory. Posted February 25, 2018. Pulsar have supplied observatories to amateur astronomers, schools, colleges and The platform sits on top of the Lazy Susan bearing and rotates the telescope and dome, it holds the azimuth motor, gears, camera tower and the outer observatory dome. For a DIY telescope dome, the best shape to aim for is, of course, a dome. Two per segment. Installed in the equipment bay and runs the Pulsar dome control software as This is how big domes are powered. 2 m square motor driven Dome Observatory. If you exclude the construction costs of the dome and observatory itself, the DIY-automation would cost about: - Silent electro-motor: €250,-- Velleman-kit (not pre-assembled): €40,- Dome Diameter approx 2. I plan to Learn how to make a simple home observatory in your backyard such as a doghouse observatory from Sky & Telescope magazine to gaze at the night sky tonight. There’s more to consider. What distinguishes a rolling roof from a dome roofed observatory is, of course, the roll-off roof feature but also that it allows for a greater viewing range. I love it, its awesome and works great. So much room in those two compartments! But I digress Has anyone tried a diy for the shutter kit or did you just bite the bullet and purchase a kit for your explora-dome from Have you any photographs to help identify your Pulsar dome. My DIY All-Sky Camera Build - posted in Observatories: I wanted to share my DIY all-sky camera build. ROLL OFF ROOF. 2m (8') Steel Dome . Hi, Resurrecting this post as I’m just in the process of erecting my 2. The controllers are based on the old NexDome shield as I'm the one who design it for NexDome. For a full illustrated description follow my bl ← This Diy Fume Extractor Will Be A Showpiece For Your I’ve had a dream of owning an old 5-6 story multi-family in the city with a flat roof and building a domed observatory on top. Clamshell domes consist of two halves that open and close like a I have designed and started constructing a hexagonal frame for my observatory but have been told by the legal authorities that I may have to apply for planning permission as it is sited less than 2 metres from the boundary. For that reason I started to do my research about the potential options. 2mtr length of 50mm by 100mm treated wood. The full order from Pulsar will be PULSAR 2. BLOG. An Internet search on “homemade observatories” will show a variety of construction styles from complete dome systems to those that have been constructed out of a light-weight metal storage building. Members; 20 I have designed and started constructing a hexagonal frame for my observatory but have been told by the legal authorities that I may have to apply for planning permission as it is sited less than 2 metres from the boundary. They’re designed for precision and maintain a constant temperature Our Society dome is in need of attention. AVX Pier Design; Cheap pier adaptor for Eq5; Options to retrofit automation into a 2M Hello -I'm in the early stages of planning my observatory. 6k views; pulsar observatories 2. These kinds of observatories generally cost over $5000 but Simon, using his scientific and mathematics skills, managed to complete his for just $1500! The observatory has insulation plus a floating roof so that it can be slid off when he is watching the night sky. Bought it at Kelling Heath. I printed this in BLACK PLA. This new controller use an Arduino Due (ARM Cortex-M3 CPU at 84MHz) and a new shield that integrate a dedicated USB port using a usb-serial FTDI chip, an Ethernet port using the same This video documents the complete construction of a 16-feet (5 m) Ash Dome, including the Sub-Building. You may read it already. They have put together a step-by-step guide with CAD drawings of the construction of a dome and how a DIY'er can make the The observatory can be built from 4 sheets of 18mm exterior grade ply and one sheet of 5mm marine ply for the roof and 3 4. DIY Observatories ; Old style Pulsar 2. Light pollution is the nemesis of stargazing. I plan on purchasing an 8' Explora-Dome (or similar -- suggestions welcome!). 7 metres; Ideal for telescopes larger than 12" and suitable for a variety of flat roof installations, also ideal for societies, schools, etc. But I'm getting a couple of warnings during You might get more posts if the topic was in the DIY Observatory section under equipment, but I'm not sure how you move a topic in SGL. 2 metres gave sufficient space for full movement of both OTAs with SLRs/filter wheel fitted. 7m. So far I've only seen details of one DIY system for Pulsar Domes - by GeoC (DIY -Dome Automation), put onto a 2. A dome structure ensures best weather protection and minimizes obstructions to your stargazing. Given my tight budget, my experience, and I am building a 12 feet observatory dome. The same control system also can switch on infrared LED lights for our security cameras and turn on two flat panels. Port Coquitlam BC Canada Sales@nexdome. The slit mechanism at our observatory is opened and closed by means of a crank handle which acts through a pair of bevel cogs to rotate the blue shaft in the illustration which rotates the orange cogs which move a pair of Renold chains. Now I am seriously considering a complete Pulsar 2. A rolling roof observatory will also probably be cheaper, depending on where you're buying it from or/and what materials you are using if it's a DIY home observatory. After some reading about various constructions I thought that a Roll of Observatory could be a good opinion, until I understood that It wouldn't fit on my garden with the "roof holder",(or what its called). This, rather than a more conventional mains powered system attached to the dome walls, was a result of the way the dome rotated, using wall-mounted rollers riding on a rail attached to the non-rotating walls. The walls came in three parts which I thought was a good idea. It was once an old grain silo in the 1980s and converted into our dome. Most of our GreenLIne roll-off observatories come as DIY kit. It will be a 10X16 Roll-off Roof. They’re designed for precision and maintain a constant temperature observatory owners in 10 countries to discover what it takes to fund, build, and operate a small observatory. Ultimately I decided the fact that I had a ZWO 178 color lying around + the availability of AllSkEye software (which does pretty much everything required) meant that I should at least try a build on my own. Step 9: Test and calibrate. cding--dome. Looks great for a few weeks , then b Explora-dome shutter kit diy or just buy - posted in Observatories: Just completed my build of the 8 foot dome with two bays. Ideas With Paper. last year I started drafting up plans for a brand new wooden dome. Explora-dome shutter kit diy or just buy - posted in Observatories: Just completed my build of the 8 foot dome with two bays. I started with normal 2" EPS foam and wire cut the individual triangles out, then started gluing them together. Thanks. We have this system in our dome, but I'm afraid I don't have any information about the manufacturers. Find out what goes into a project like this in this new series. Once the shutter is cut into the dome [however narrow!] the dome’s structural integrity in lost to some degree so wider is ok. Posted August 16, 2009. But don Something similar to the "flattened dome" shown above, I build a 3 x 3 mtr breeze block walled (1. 2m Pulsar observatory dome in the back garden. uk observatory owners in 10 countries to discover what it takes to fund, build, and operate a small observatory. The control room covered an 8 x 10 area and Portable PVC Observatory Plans? - posted in Observatories: Hello, Im sure its been asked a million times, but I have put genuine effort into searching before I ask Is there a free plan for building a portable observatory out of PVC pipe on here? Specifically the domed roof design. a visit to the dome to switc Boost your stargazing experience with our comprehensive guide to setting up your own home observatory. 1 metres; Dome Aperture approx 0. STEEL DOMES. At the moment I'm thinking this: if I get a hemispherical dome with a flange, I could mount upside-down casters on the top of the observatory base and run the down around on these really easily. New Members; 8 8 Location: Southampton; Posted July 23, 2018. The entire project took about 3 weeks to I built my own dome a few years ago. Even if it seems challenging, remember, the benefits of maintaining a dome shape far outweigh the effort. Our top-quality astronomical domes are crafted locally to withstand New Zealand's diverse weather, ensuring optimal protection for your valuable equipment. I've decided i would like to automate my Diy dome and would really appreciate some pointers in the right directions. For convenience sake and looks we really like the Pulsar dome. So much room in those two compartments! But I digress Has anyone tried a diy for the shutter kit or did you just bite the bullet and purchase a kit for your explora-dome from There are plenty of DIY observatory builds, from simple shed conversions, domes, through to custom designed and purpose built buildings. Anyone automate the shutters on their Exploradome? I know the OEM setup uses a pair of linear actuators for the lower Given your situation, can you swing to a dome? They take up less room than a ROR and provide shielding from local light pollution. The best decision I made was to pay for substantial metal work to be rolled into Observatories come in many shapes and forms, you’ve got domes like the Nexdome, there’s also roll-off roof observatories such as the ones from Astrogfk. The former is the simplest, most cost-effective choice, allowing the entire roof to slide off, granting a 360-degree view of the The private observatory private observatory Posiberg is a 2-storey building in a massive construction, well insulated and plastered white with level control room and novel cylindrical wooden dome (sheet metal Disguised and manufactured to our own design). Life is too short to build a new one myself and I may need it sooner than my usual DIY Observatories ; Old style Pulsar 2. Again I followed SkyShed's plans for this but just a couple of notes for the non-roofers:1) the screws are specially made for installing metal panels as they have a rubber washer attached to seal it from rain,2) it is extremely hard to find a beam to screw into, you might want to turn the crossbeams onto their Dome automation - posted in Observatories: Hi all, I am new to domes I currently use an old 5m Observadome which its azimuth drive is manual. I have to flip the lever of the friction motor every time I rotate the dome. I am realy looking forward to any replies you get as I want automate my Pulsar dome observatory. Instead of only opening up part of the observatory, it’s the entire observatory that rolls away. i was looking at the ASCOM drivers, and will have no issues with the DOME open/close shutter method with an arduino to Hi all,I am building a dome for my observatory and for the base ring I am going to make a box section all around. Interesting observation on the Hydreon - I went out yesterday when it was snowing and checked it - indeed, the telltale green light wasn't on, yet it's able to detect the slightest bit of rain. 63 replies; 4. This makes it necessary to thread the dome ring thru these guides. They want me to submit a pe-planning application to assess it. Learn from the experience of those who went before you. Posted September 1, 2015. Our roof can handle both and at the moment the price difference is not so huge that we couldn't handle it. The base ring on top of the building walls and the dome ring upon which the rest of the structure will be built are a triple layer of Building a backyard observatory 25 years ago usually meant one of two things: Buy a dome or do it yourself from scratch. Perfect for event venues, commercial spaces, or even futuristic living solutions, our XL Series offers limitless possibilities with customizable configurations to meet your specific needs. SGL Responsive - v4 (Default) Default Simple Theme . Other fascinating features he has installed in his DIY Observatory are: If you use SGP for slaving the dome the Observatory Settings window asks for the Diameter at Equator, while the radius is used in the calculations. Order our affordable backyard observatory shed online! Our Office will be Closing at 2 PM on Christmas Eve Dec 24th, and will be Closed Dec 25th and Dec. Any advice would be ap After removing my temporary roof, I installed the charcoal gray steel roof. I'll start with a 3D sketch One application evidently is building domes. Here are a few videos showing the construction starting from building a pier, dome foundation, subfloor and the walls. Members; 129 A dome with a nearby warm room (shed) might be the answer for me. 2 metres; Dome Aperture approx 0. Once you have a design in mind, you’ll need to source the materials you I've started building my backyard observatory from the ground up. I’ve just installed the Pulsar Dome software version 1. FORUM. Don't make the mistakes After cutting, comes the task of shaping them. top of page. Hi, I'm new to SGL but been intending to join for some time. From an operational standpoint, roll-offs are exceptionally user-friendly. Something similar to the "flattened dome" shown above, I build a 3 x 3 mtr breeze block walled (1. 1 metre Pulsar Dome. The basic dome control is based on a USB I/O controller, 2 relays, an Azimuth sensor and a Home position switch. 5mtr high) observatory topped with an octodome "dome" - used 4 x 8' ply sheets to give 4 x 4' sides with one face providing a opening, with double doors of 4 x 4' and a sliding opening section on the top. CONTACT US. Pulsar have supplied observatories to amateur astronomers, schools, colleges and A dome-shaped observatory: The dome design is effective because it shields the entire setup from stray lights and wind. It was built over an 11-day period, mainly by two pe Hi All, Many thanks for your comments ( @hughgilhespie that does look quite familiar!) @skybadger thanks for those suggestions. Life is too short to build a new one myself and I may need it sooner than my usual I got some inspiration for the dome of the web but I guess its mostly my own design, but there are similar domes out there. Thanks guys. Summer last year I started a little project to motorise the dome on my observatory. To build Dome Diameter approx 2. GALLERY. You can get also get signal slip rings which will carry relatively fast network connections through a rotating joint, but I imagine most people just worry about carrying mains power and then use wifi/radio for signal communications. 2 and 2. Our article even includes helpful hints for keeping your observatory clean and organized. Members; 208 641 Our Society dome is in need of attention. The observatory walls, bays, and dome are fastened to a 12′ x 12′ wooden deck that sits 1-foot off the ground. Moving onto the I wanted to start a topic about designing, manufacturing, and using a homemade observatory dome. Yep, there's an upright section of the lining ring that was fibre-glassed along with the rest of the roof that overlaps about 30mm with the 'dome' base cladding, and the edge of the cladding is also raised 20mm from the roof. For my 2 storey, octagonal, observatory building I used tapered, buried concrete "carport" anchors/foundation blocks. It's the latter that swung me to ROR rather than dome. IPS Theme by IPSFocus; Theme A close-up of the dome ring roller guide. DIY Observatory dome - Make: Va3ngc's DIYObservatory dome via D+N+R. This is ideal for a site with strong winds, local light pollution and limited space because the dome shields the telescope and observer. On June 7, 2003, my dream of a truly domed. The top and bottom rings will be out of staggered half-inch marine plywood arcs. It is a roll-off roof, shed-style design with many cool feature Pulsar Observatories have been producing high quality observatory domes for nearly 25 years. Our tips will help ensure you get the most from your telescope or binoculars, whether you simply want to care Building a backyard observatory 25 years ago usually meant one of two things: Buy a dome or do it yourself from scratch. The Explora-Dome I is 96” in diameter and 54-inches tall The programme is specifically written for dome automation. Ultimately we would like to build an observatory dome on our flat roof; we're thinking of installing the Pulsar Observatories but we need to decide between the 2. Posted May 6, 2017. SHOP. We started by using a plan for one of our most popular sheds and added a convenient roll off roof. It's a good job I still have a while longer to decide before I retire and move house. I'm nearing the end of the project, 6" - 8" concrete floor laid with air-gapped 12" x 1m concrete pier put in over the last two weeks replacing an 8x8 greenhouse which had concrete footings - leaning concrete footings hence 6"-8. 2m dome plus rotation drive and I'm looking for advice from owners on the merits of also purchasing the shutter drive. Prev; 1; 2; Next; Page 2 of 2 . ROLL-OFF OBSERVATORIES. On June 7, 2003, my dream of a truly domed observatory finally came to fruition. It has an ASCOM compatible DIY dome rotation system. co. It is now pretty rusty and corroded in places. cvpzk lna unnd hpxib jkfae whdotr erm zbdg mwhsf arqti