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Webster Telescopes Forum • View topic - observatory for large dob?
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 Post subject: observatory for large dob?
PostPosted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 7:15 pm 
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Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 8:36 pm
Posts: 5
Hi

What's your opinion on whether a permanent observatory is the best way to house one of your large dobs?
For example, would a round domed observatory be suitable or would the walls be to high or the diameter (of the observatory) too small? e.g. the explora-dome - (http://www.explora-dome.com/10-foot-6_Round_Explora_Dome.cfm).

Thanks


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 Post subject: Re: observatory for large dob?
PostPosted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 2:22 am 
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Posts: 122
Many of our scopes have been placed in observatories.

Domes are very nice, although a roll-off roof may look less conspicuous in a residential neighborhood.

You may want to build a drop down wall on the South side of your observatory if you have many objects only visible to the South.

You can set the pivot pin directly in the floor of the observatory and that will save you a few inches of eyepiece height. You can then just reattach your groundboard when you are taking your scope out to a star party.

You can also drop the scope in a "hole" and save some inches off of the eyepiece height (at the expense of some lower elevation targets).

Other than the pad where the scope will rest, resist the temptation to use concrete in your observatory construction. You want materials that will not hold the heat from the day.

A small window air conditioner can keep the interior of the dome (and the mirror) cool and ready for use. This can save hours of cool down time. If the weather report says it will go down to 60° at night, set your AC unit to 60° earlier in the day. A few of our clients have done this same trick in a garage closet that their scope is stored in.


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