Portable Observatories

[issdaol]

Hi All,

I would be interested to know if anyone has ever used one of the AstroGazer portable observatories?

http://www.astrogizmos.com/

Would love to hear opinions of how practical they are etc?

Are there any better alternatives out there?

Cheers

[Scorpius51]

Hi Phil

Here is a thread that you may be interested in http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=59889

Cheers
John

[issdaol]

hi john,

looks interesting. only problem would be making a cover and unobstructed observation port.

it is food for thought though.

thanks for the link

cheers

[michaellxv]

Looks good but kinda expensive for portable. I went with this option http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=59704
I only use it at home when I know its going to be a clear night to keep out stray light (from my incosiderate family) and wind.

[issdaol]

Cheers Michael.

Cost is a definately a factor :) however primary considerations are:

-Stability & Protection of Kit inside,
-Ease of Setup/Breakdown,
-Practicality for viewing,

I also checked out the "Tent" on the Sirius site but that is just too small for what I want.

So far John's option seems to hold most promise as I suppose it could be fully built from material from Bunnings :D

[MLyons]

Here's my portable kit.
Works great for keeping wind and stray light out.

[issdaol]

Very Nice :thumbsup:

[issdaol]

Hi John & Martin,

How long have you found that these take to setup??

Also how steady/stable have you found them to be in windy conditions (especially with the wheel option)?

Cheers

[MLyons]

Hi Phil,

It takes me around 15 minutes to set mine up on my own.
The 50mm PVC piping and the 8 stays with strong tent pegs keeps this thing standing in quite severe winds.

It recently survived winds that I believe were in the 35 - 40 km/hr range (although it really was close to its limit)

One normally wouldn't even set it up in those conditions but rather use it as a shield against light winds and stray light.

PS - The method of construction is very important in establishing structural integrity while utilising light materials.
Note the way the vertical rods are threaded through the fabric.

[issdaol]

Hi Martin,


Sounds great and it certainly looks well setup. Also 15 minutes is good time :thumbsup:

This is looking like a real option at the moment so I hope you dont mind me asking some further questions:question:

What type of PVC pieces are you using?

Do they have screw on ends or just slot in ends??

What are the best lenghts to use?

What sort of canvas do you use and what size is it cut to?

I would probably do the roof components as an add-on so would they use the same sizes?

Cheers

[Hypnotist]

I personally don't get why someone would want a portable observatory:confused2:! I'd just take my scope out whenever needed. Why bother wasting money on an obseratory? Get yourself something else!

Regards
Bart

[MLyons]

Oh well, after that gem of insightful advice I have no justification for keeping mine so I think I'll just chuck it away :shrug: :rolleyes: :screwy:

[Max Vondel]

Don't get discouraged Martin
"Wind", "Light", "Dust" and people are the obvious answers!
Besides it makes for a little "Mine" Zone

Nice work!
;)

[issdaol]

Hi Bart,

Exactly how many telescopes and how much practical observing have you personally done over the past 10-20 years???

Also how many telescopes have you owned? Especially systems that weigh almost 100kg when fully setup???

Also are you able to predict and gaurantee the total lighting and environmental conditions for your entire observing session before you have lovingly & painstakenly packed, unpacked and setup your 100kg $30,000.00 investment???

If you can elaborate on all of the points above I would greatly appreciate more of your sage advice.

Thanks

[RobF]

C'mon guys, lets not be too harsh.....:rolleyes:

For those of us with a single rig that's relatively portable and a half decent spot to set up in the back yard it is much less of a priority. In fact you could argue you might be better off with 2 portable rigs to run similtaneously at a dark sky site rather than investing in an observatory limited by city pollution (obviously applies only to those of us residing in the 'burbs....)

I've been particularly interested in this thread though because I'm starting to leave the scope up a few nights in a row if imaging a certain object and there's good reason to believe the weather will behave. I can't really find the space (or money) for a permanent setup but would like a bit more protection than the current BBQ cover, tarp and 2 bungie straps....:)

[Alchemy]

Although I have a permanent observatory, all extra protection can be useful, particularly if you image at long focal lengths where just a fraction of movement can make such a difference. Neighbours lights can also be a particular nuisance and some shielding is always welcome. In the end it's about making your hobby more enjoyable, and in many cases a portable observatory will do just that.

[strongmanmike]

Somebody brought one of these portable domes to SPSP last year and it was damaged and collapsed in the strong winds over night. I wouldn't trust it as a semi permanent solution at all.

The first and key line of attack against wind is a sturdy mount. As an example, I designed and had constructed a basic but solid pedestal pier (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/new_njp_support_pier) for my gear and it has proved a remarkably stable unit in very strong winds. This image (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/104169279/original)was take at Wiruna during very high wind conditions and while out in the complete open (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/81003751/original) - sure it would have turned out better in more stable conditions but the final result is quite acceptable considering. The key is a low damping time mount. As setup my rig dampens at high power after a strong rap on the mount, in about 1 - 2 sec.

Shielding from stray light is however another story but from my experience unless it is severe and rather direct it causes little issue for imaging at least, for visual observing however it can be very annoying.

A proper permanent observatory (which I long for again!) is most useful for avoiding setup and packup as well as for multiple night image runs ...:scared:..ah sigh, one day....:sadeyes:

Mike

[Alchemy]

Strong winds are going to make a portable job a problem.... I generally don't bother if it's too windy anyway, just not that desperate ..... Yet.....

[RobF]

Yes, must confess I'd be VERY careful putting up portable protection anywhere other than my tightly fenced and hedged backyard. I know first hand from my windsurfing days what a an even moderate wind can do with more than a sq metre of fabric.....! :lol:

:windy:

[issdaol]

I unfortunatately am not in a location that gives me very good light conditions at night and do not have the luxury of a permanent observatory setup :sadeyes: So a a high quality portable system suits my personal requirments better. I also have other interests to spread my finances than having 2 systems. ( 4WD'ing, DX'ing, RC Nitro Cars, Bow Hunting, Kayaking....)

Also, I am primarily into visual observation and the Mewlon 300 gives me outstanding visuals but is not the smallest/easiest to transport scope. In my opinion, what I loose in quick portability with the Mewlon 300/EM400 rig I gain 100 fold in personal satisfaction from the superb high contrast/high resolution visuals. A second smaller perhaps lower quality system will not give me the same visual performance/reach.

Unfortuantely when you have to move a system that weighs in close to 100kg and takes some time to setup you cannot always gaurantee that conditions will remain the same all the time. Especially if such trips can involve extended stays in dark sky sites that are further away than others.

Sometimes you will get an annoying breeze that is not strong enough to make a major nuisance to a good mount but can generate dust and debris. Additionally on longer or further afield trips there might be a change in conditions with light moisture/drizzle.

It is then a pain in the behind to have to move all your gear undercover or pack it all away for these disruptions.

Barriers like these can provide benefits in these circumstances especially if they can be setup in only 15-20 minutes and secured relatively well.

Of course if conditions are too adverse such as winds strong enough to rip down tents, drench you in rain or cause other havoc you would not setup in the first place and risk your rig.

Under the right conditions you could potentially setup all your gear in one of these and leave it overnight without concern that overnight breezes, debris or moisture will have a major impact and without having to contantly setup and take down your rig.

In any event we each have different systems, preferences and requirements that make these of value to some and not others.

[strongmanmike]

After reading that Phil it sounds like you have made up your mind then..?

Good luck, as you say if you can avoid the bad conditions such a dome would be quite nice but then again if it is only for a few nights a blanket and heavy large plastic bag is quite effective too and much cheaper :P

Mike

[multiweb]

It's fair to say those were exceptional circumstances that year. The wind was so bad that night that it blew my stuff away too. That was the first and last time I had a problem. The only thing that held my tent was the G11 inside and two battery packs. :windy:

Having said that I got two rods from Ray's outdoors and I'm still using the same tent to date. I couldn't do without it. Made a huge difference for me. It's very convenient and keeps all my gear dry. I wouldn't go back to imaging in the open again.

[issdaol]

Hi Mike,

Almost sounds like it :) ......

Actually am still considering the viability and practicality but I can see some definate potential advantages for my needs.

Some of the IIS users who have had real experience with these things have provided some great advice and input.

If it is as stable as what they have mentioned it seems like a relatively low cost and easy/quick to setup solution.

I am still to a degree considering the scope cover but then I would have no wind or light barriers if needed and I also may need covers for all the accesories etc etc ......

If I went ahead with this option I would probably not use it every single time as there are those quick home or local one evening setups that I would not necessarily need one for.

And yes on occasion I have been accused of over engineering :whistle:

[michaellxv]

You can't choose the weather on a moonless night.
You can't control surrounding light sources.
You can't stop your own family from turning lights on in the house.
You can't drive 100Km to a dark site every night.

A portable obs helps make the most of available conditions and at 10% the cost of a permanant obs is well worth the effort.

[issdaol]

Some more reasons there perhaps :)

[multiweb]

... and my favorite from people walking around the scope tripod at night:
"oh! Sorry... is that your cable I tripped on?... You 're not imaging right now are you?" .... not anymore :lol:

[strongmanmike]

Worse when you do it yourself from losing night vision staring at the lappie screen :lol: :) :sadeyes: :( :mad2:

Mike

[multiweb]

That's why you red lightshield your laptop. That works a treat. After a little while no need for any light at all.

[TheFacelessMen]

Hi All,

I have been thinking about one of these or similar myself. I have trolled the web and it lookes like all the sites/links with the measurements and plans are shut down.

Does anyone have a set (especially with the roof parts) they would be willing to share ?? :) It would save some mucking around and guesswork with sizes, joints etc so would be much appreciated.

:thanx:

[RobF]

Sounds likes an exquisite setup Phil. I can only imagine what sort of image such a quality setup would be putting up. Can see it would certainly be tough to come anywhere near that with a 2nd rig.

I'm not sure I could sleep knowing I'd left that many dollars worth of gear in the backyard though. I hope you've got a decent dog (or automatic laser defence system...! :P)

[issdaol]

Hi Rob

I have been having trouble locating plans as well. Unless another IIS member has them it looks like I will just have to duck into bunnings and do a best fit purchase.

Cheers




Thanks mate it is fantastic performer visually.

I have not done much astrophoto work as I only have a Canon D10 with prime focus adaptors.

My 2 x cavalier's have a nasty sounding growl :lol: !!

Cheers