Wind break observatories

[strongmanmike]

Anyone using wind break type structures each session when they set up?

Be good to see some sollutions if anyone has had a go at this :thumbsup:

Mike

[sheeny]

Bird's is the only one I've seen.

Hang on... I use one... its called a POD!

Al.

[strongmanmike]

A pod huh? but that has an entire 1/2 exposed to the outside ie it's not a classic dome with a slit, so when you want to image into the wind it offers no protection..? Although I see the Pod visor is available, wonder how much improvement that would be? Do you have the visor?

Might have to go and say hi to Bird, he is just up the road :thumbsup:

Mike

[sheeny]

No, I don't have the visor.

My scope is set up low so it just clears the wall at the horizon. The open half dome tends to catch a pocket of air in front of it when its pointing into the wind. Its not perfect, but its better than no dome, and better than no walls especially, and the faster wind, the greater the effect of the "still" pocket in front of the dome. I've never experienced it as "still" though;).

A wall like Bird's should be better because its higher than the scope, which is fine if you aren't worried about seeing the horizon. Most APers aren't, are they? I could've gone lower in the POD, but I'd rather kick the pier than the objective of the scope!:P:lol:

Al.

[DavidTrap]

Lots of examples on Cloudynights. Always look like a lot of setup and very bulky to store.

DT

[mswhin63]

Hi Mike,

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/109920401953767744541/albums/5702651205984206881/5702655610161135826

Originally designed as a wind break, ended up being a tent as well. I can leave it set-up and sleep inside at the same time.

One thing I found is that is was easy to modify the tent to carry out the task. I still have one more thing to do but have limited time available at the moment. I was also going to create or modify another structure for larger scope but as above limited.

[strongmanmike]

Very nice work but how is the scope protected from the wind while in use..?

Mike

[mswhin63]

That was the next step to create side walls that could be placed along side the scope. Never really got a round to complete it.

The tripod is currently at maximum extension as well so it can be lowered down to fit well below the height of the tent roof. The hole is big enough to cover a large angle of the sky.

I am/was considering enlarging the hole further and creating another design for a cover when not in use. The main use was to take with me camping and observing and be able to finish up without the need to pack up at night, just park it and go straight to sleep.

[bartman]

No not me

No not me either

;)
If I did / needed to, I would go for a broken up set up.. Much like a few tents spread around randomly. Vineyards and orchards use similar tactics or tictacs ..........:lol:
Bartman

[Barrykgerdes]

We just use a prefabricated structure consisting of two wooden frames nominally 2 metres square with cheap plastic type sheeting stretched over and nailed. The two sections are hinged and thus fold together. They have handles for ease in moving. We built them on site with materials from Bunnings

We place them on the windward side of the telescope assembly as required, opened out to be self supporting, and pin them to the ground with tent pegs. No good in a gale but good in any weather conditions that are suitable for photography as a protection from most breezes.

The wind break is stored on site (in the open) and worked well for the last two years.

Barry

[asimov]

I basically did the same as Barrykgerdes, only it was 3 sided. Worked extremely well & cheap to make.

[strongmanmike]

Cheers guys

I was planning something like you have described Barry, how high were they, any pictures?

Mike

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi Mike

I think they are about 6ft. However I think the verticals are pre-cut 2 metre length. I haven't got a picture but Trevor might have. They are up at Wiruna you probably saw them last SPSP but did not notice. Our wind break is only one of three similar that are stored there.

The handles are just 100mm shelf brackets and used for anchors as well as handles (because we had them)

Barry

[tlgerdes]

Hi Mike,

Here is a pic. Took us about 2hrs to contruct onsite and takes about 5mins to erect (including carrying it from 50m). I point the apex into the prevailing wind so I dont have full wind force trying to push it over, but it is light enough that it can be moved in minutes should wind drastically change direction.

It stands about 1.9m high, if I did it again i think 2.1m would do better, and each panel is about 2m long.

I have imaged upto about 15 knots before wind creeps around. The structure is fine up to around 30 knots. I am thinking of a Mk2 made a little bigger and from steel RHS.

[strongmanmike]

That looks the goods Trevor and probably within my capabilities even :thumbsup: Many thanks to you and your old fart :P

How do the tent pegs attach?

Mike

[swannies1983]

My contribution (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=819704&postcount=746) as in the "show us your equipment" thread.

[Barrykgerdes]

holes in the shelf brackets
As you will be able to carry it by yourself handle placement may need to change,

Barry

[strongmanmike]

Nice! that would have been expensive...:question:

;)

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Barry

Mike
ps. Old Fart is a term of endearment too :whistle:

[tlgerdes]

150mm right angle shelf brackets from bunnings
, they have screw holes pre-drilled, screwed onto each leg, then hammer 250mm tent peg through hole into ground.


Same brackets form handles halfway up sides.

[RB]

gee wizz Mike !
Can you not do that again !!

Please don't put up similarly themed threads up simultaneously.
I log on and I first see the "Finally a new observatory site...." (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=94591)thread.

All good.....

Then I log on again and I see this one, "break wind observatories....." (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=95276)or something like that. :whistle:

arrrggg

I keep getting the two mixed up and I think to myself, why did he call his new observatory that?

:rofl:

[strongmanmike]

:ashamed: :windy:

[tlgerdes]

Mike, I thought you were more talking out it, than breathing fire?:shrug::question:

[Lismore Bloke]

If a windbreak shelter is needed, maybe this thread is worth considering, post number 8 is good:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=59704

I made some panels up with plumbers pipe glued together into 3 frames tied together, covered with tarp material, with some lead weights to hold them down. This stuff isn't dirt cheap but is light and won't rot - they can be arranged in a number of shapes to keep wind and neighbour's lights away, some types of wind anyway!!!

[Peter Ward]

I've been using the same Sirius 2.3 metre observatory for about 20 years ........ cost me about $3700, and at the time & it seemed like a lot of money. (OK about double that in $ now)

But it has faithfully protected numerous (some quite expensive), 'scopes from wind, hail, rain, storms, furry animals etc. and has seen two changes of address.

So far it has cost me the princely sum of $185 a year.

Peanuts really...

[strongmanmike]

Yes had one of those myself remember..? ;)

Just not sure about one since we are renting (hopefully for just a year) and will then likely buy a similar place and move. I would prefer to get the dome only and put it on a more sizable building but this will not be possible at the moment.

Mike

[Waxing_Gibbous]

My set-up is virtually the same as Trevor's and works very well for visual.
I use 3 sections of portable sheep-yard (1.5m x 2.4m) that are designed to link together with pins. They are quite light, around 10kg each and have little processes on the uprights that allow you to push them into the ground. If interested, go to e-bay and type in "portable sheep yards". They were made by a bloke in Geelong and cost around $90 each.
Believe me - that's dirt cheap for a sheepyard!.
Once situated, I cover the sections with some HD nylon tarp that I've nipped and tucked to fit with extra holes/grommets. I use cable ties to attach the tarp as they are very strong and, again, dirt-cheap.
The whole rig takes me about 15 minutes to erect and a little longer to take down.

I'd post a pic but the panels are actually doing duty keeping in sheep ATM. :D

[strongmanmike]

Sounds interesting, yes photos would help.

The only thing that came up on ebay was this?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PORTABLE-SHEEP-YARD-CHICKEN-PUPPY-DOG-PEN-ENCLOSURE-RUN-GOAT-ALPACA-PONY-16-/261087930741?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item3cca0da975#ht_4804wt_1139

Mike

[swannies1983]

What do you classify as expensive? ;)

[strongmanmike]

I recon my initial solution will look a lot like that Dan :lol: too easy :thumbsup:

Mike

[mithrandir]

This one too Mike.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Temporary-Fencing42micron-hdg-2-4-MTRSX-2-1-MTRS-CERTIFIED-PANEL-/230761509694?_trksid=p4340.m444&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DC%252B S%26itu%3DSI%252BUA%252BLM%252BLA%2 6otn%3D12%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D16219 81422516672436

or this one.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CATTLE-HORSE-PANEL-PORTABLE-YARDS-BRAND-NEW-/300768828462?pt=AU_Business_Industr ial_Farming_Agriculture_Farming_Agr iculture_Equipment&hash=item4607381c2e

You could carry a few of them around for exercise. :)

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Yes. Disturbing.
When I went to pick up the panels, it was a couple of blokes working out of a shed. They were noth knackered as they'd been working 24/7/7 the demand was so high (normally these panels go for$200 each).
Hope they haven't worked themselves out of business.
The sheep are due out tomorrrow amd I'll post some pics later.

Irrelevant to astronomy but:
Sheep Tip #1: Pen your sheep (allowing 2 sq. metres per and free access to water) and feed them twice daily. Each time ring a bell. In about 4-5 days they'll have figured it out and flock to the sound. You'll never have to round them up. EVER.

[strongmanmike]

Hey that looks promising....:question:

The first ones are south east of Melbourne and pickup only, I will be in Canberra....

Cheers

Mike

[gregbradley]

I was thinking of building a wind break at one stage at my dark site.

In that case the wind was almost always from the same direction making it easy to predict.

My observatory there has a flat roof so I was thinking of a simple rectangular frame perhaps 1.8 metres wide and say 800mm high set to the roof with door hinges fixed to the ribs of the metal roof or perhaps put down a strip of timber screw fixed to the roof ribs and then the hinges fixed to that timber strip.

Then 2 poles that fold down (hinged again to the wind shield) and fix to some sort of clip so the rectangular wind shield was sloping 45 degrees up so the wind was pushed up over the scope.

You could possibly make it detachable. Lightweight polycarbonate roofing may be useful as its lighter than metal roofing yet quite strong.

If the wind though is changeable in direction then this system would not work well.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

All good ideas guys thanks for your input, much appreciated.

Greg, ideally I'd like to have a situation where I don't need to dismatle the OTA each session but short of a resonably good observatory I am trying to come up with something that will facilitate this. In the initial stages at the new place I will likely just set up as I have always done - out in the open but with some wind protection, still take down the OTA and camera gear but leave the mount setup and aligned under a couple of bags. It will at least be in my own backyard again :prey: :)

Mike

[tlgerdes]

Mike,

If you "Google" for Temporary Fencing Sales there are plenty who will sell and deliver, was think of that for my next venture.

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Trevor, good idea.

MIke

[mithrandir]

It's only a day's drive there and back. :)