Build your own 2-metre dome observatory

[reckless]

You might be interested in my recently completed project - building a 2-metre octa-geodesic dome in the Scottish Highlands.

You can view the project here at http://members.aol.com/astrophotos/bvobs.html

Cheers

Eric

[mickal555]

Wow!

I love it... plan to build myself one oneday :D

:clap:

[Eoanthropus Dawsoni]

That is very nice. I plan to build a small observatory next spring and have been considering various ideas for the dome. I really like the foam geodesics but I wonder how well they would stand up to severe weather.

[jt-3d]

That is very nice. I'd love to make one myself but I'm not sure if I'd like to leave the scope out in my yard and if I can't do that, there's not much point. Still, it's not out of the question.

[Eoanthropus Dawsoni]

Whatever I build needs to be weather proof because I am getting tired of dragging my old Meade 826 outside and trying to get it aligned everything I use it. I am in a great dark sky location on a hilltop with an unobstructed view in every direction but I do not observe very often because it takes so long to get everything set up. So an observatory of some sort is needed.

The foam geodesics are very interesting but look like a lot of work. Another option for a dome would be to build one out of aluminum. That would be quicker and lighter to build than the foam dome but I have not checked the price of aluminum so I do not know how to cost comparison would be between the two.

A sliding roof observatory would be easy to build but I want something that gives a little more protection from the wind. I live in North Dakota and on a cold night even the lightest breeze will quickly take the fun out astronomy.

One option I am giving a lot of thought to is a small observatory that rolls on its foundation rather than a dome that rotates on the building. I think using this system I could probably build an observatory that is stronger and more weather tight than a dome, and it would be a lot quicker to build.
http://www.strombergschickens.com/starplate_building_system/starplate_index.htm

I would adapt the design so that the entire building rolls on a frame attached to the foundation.

[glasspusher]

I saw one that was built from a plastic water tank and rotated on its foundation. And they make some big tanks.

[Dragon Star]

Wow!

I love it... plan to build myself one oneday :D

:clap:

Start saving money. :D

Very nice.

[Eoanthropus Dawsoni]

I saw one that was built from a plastic water tank and rotated on its foundation. And they make some big tanks.


I like that idea. A weather tight observatory could be built for for a few hundred bucks and it would be incredibly easy to build.