my kick start to the international year of astronomy 2009

[h0ughy]

Over Christmas i bought a small but very important piece of equipment -a huge Christmas gift, which my lovely wife allowed me to get.

I bought Phil's dome!!!

the trip to go and get it was a interesting journey, with Alan Meehan along for the ride. Al's help and support was brilliant and i cannot thank him enough for his friendship and company. thanks Al.

here are some happy snaps. I covered just over 3000km from wallsend to rockhampton and back with a stopover in kallangur, in 3 days from NYeve through to 8pm Friday night. it is now safe in the garage until i can clean up and buff up the panels and get the garden organised before construction of the pier base and platform for the dome.

[h0ughy]

and more - the tree was hit by lightning near the toilets outside ballana

[RB]

Congrats on your new Christmas gift Houghy !

Is the observatory quite large?
What did you think while you were there, seeing it setup?

I'd love one of these, just want to get an idea of the size.

:thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

hard to tell as phil had removed the scope and mount, but i think it will be large enough for me

[renormalised]

That corner where the swing is looks like a good place to stick the dome:)

Nowhere, where "She Who Must be Obeyed", will say..."Oh, what an ugly looking thing...and it's in my way all the time!!!":P:P:D:D

[JohnG]

Onya David :thumbsup:

Looks like everything went into the trailer OK.

Cheers

[renormalised]

They're 2.3m wide and 2.8m high....just had a look at the Sirius Obs' site.

Here's the quotes for prices I got from Bob Wren of Sirius Observatories for the home and school models

2.3m Home Model complete with MaxDome rotation and shutter operation. $15,088.00
Options: Storage locker wall panel, add $182.00 each
Day night Solar Vent, add $472.00
High wind kit, add $431.00
Battery charger 110-240v single, add $114.00
Battery charger 110-240v double, add $139.00

3.5 School Model complete with MaxDome rotation and shutter operation. $21,608.00
Options: Storage locker wall panel, add $212.00 each
Day night Solar Vent, add $472.00
High wind kit, add $431.00
Battery charger 110-240v single, add $114.00
Battery charger 110-240v double, add $139.00

Here's the site....product range page.... http://www.siriusobservatories.com/product_range.htm (http://www.siriusobservatories.com/product_range.htm)

[h0ughy]

actually to get out of the direct path of streetlights the part halfway down on the slope is the area i am looking at.

[h0ughy]

thanks for your help and suggestions John:thumbsup:

[renormalised]

Good thing the backyard doesn't slope too much...just so long as you negate the streetlights.

I'd like to setup a dome in the backyard too, but the trees in the yard completely block my views of the south, and if I cut them down, I get the streetlights on the main road shining into the backyard. I can't win!!!:eyepop:

[xelasnave]

David that is wonderful news I am very happy for you...
So now we know who to blame for the weather.
Hope you can get some early use with the clearest of dark skies and look to you for a detailed study of the SN in m61
and may all the year go as well as the start for you.

alex

[RB]

Cheers for that, I've seen the dimensions for them but just wanted to get a feel of how much room there actually is.
Wish there was a place locally to visit and see one setup.

BTW where are the prices listed on the website?
I haven't been able to find any listings with prices.
If you could post a link or info for the full range and options I'd appriciate it.
Also thinking of a dome only option and maybe build the base myself.

Cheers
:thumbsup:

[renormalised]

Prices aren't quoted on the site, you have to email them to get a quote. That link I posted is for the entire product range, but here's their home page... http://www.siriusobservatories.com/main.htm

Prices might have gone up since I inquired, so it might pay to email them and find out what they are now.

[mozzie]

life is heaps easier with a dome you'll love it .good to see you had a safe trip . how long till your up and running
mozzie
ps i was the one that bet you in the astrofest counterweight comp thatbloody bricklayer:lol::lol:

[RB]

Thank You !

Cheers

[GrahamL]

That storm was a cracker Dave .. you could of at least coaxed the crap weather into following you down the highway!!.

[h0ughy]

as it was it was a cloud magnet -- rained on me on the way home and was raining when i got home Friday night

[h0ughy]

i would like to get two more bays - see if i can get them for the 182.00 each

[rally]

Houghy,

What size trailer did you end up using ?

It all seemed to fit quite well in that one.

Cheers

Rally

[h0ughy]

the trailer was a 3.5 by 2.3 by 1m high one from kennards which gives an internal measurement of 2400 by 1800 - just fits the dome in. also hired 10 packing blankets - in hindsight i needed another 5 to make sure everything was well packed and not rubbing on anything, i had to use a couple of tarps for that. plenty of tie down straps and occo straps to stop the tarps flapping and to help keep load secure even if one of the straps failed, and a cargo net in case one of those occo straps failed. I think i had it covered well and it travelled very well - 1500km without a hitch LOL

[jjjnettie]

Wowee David, congratulations. You lucky devil you.

[h0ughy]

thanks JJJ, unfortunately i did not have enough time to drop on by, but i did see the turn off from the Bruce hwy to go up to you!!!

[Jen]

:eyepop: Dave you lucky man that looks cool happy viewing in 2009 :thumbsup:
i bet you cant wait to set it all up :D

[Phil]

Glad you made it houghy. Missing my dome all ready.
Phil

[Kevnool]

Great to see you made it salefy Houghy.
I hope you will now be rewarded by clear skies.....Cheers Kev.

[sheeny]

Congratulations Dave!

You will love it!:thumbsup::D

Al.

[h0ughy]

thanks Phil - it was a big three days i can tell you. did you end up getting a storm after we left?

[h0ughy]

thnaks


oh i am really looking forward to it i can tell you:D

[sheeny]

:lol: I know that feeling!

Al.

[Ric]

Congrats Houghy, a fine start to the year of astronomy.

You wife will never see you again once it's up and running.

[Phil]

No we didn't houghy but it did cool down a little.
Phil

[astroron]

Good on ya Dave, I hope you enjoy your new astro purchase.:)
I would have loved to catch up with you as you passed by up the Sunshine Coast:thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

Ron,

would have loved to have dropped on in and seen you and a few of the other QLDers but time was of the essence - a few more days would not have been good domestic wise!

[Octane]

Dave,

Congratulations.

I'm green with envy. :)

Regards,
Humayun

[h0ughy]

Thanks Humayun

though it might be a little while before i get it up - wont be this month or feb but march is open:whistle: