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  #1  
Old 04-01-2009, 10:23 AM
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h0ughy (David)
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my kick start to the international year of astronomy 2009

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.
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  #2  
Old 04-01-2009, 10:25 AM
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and more - the tree was hit by lightning near the toilets outside ballana
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  #3  
Old 04-01-2009, 10:31 AM
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RB (Andrew)
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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.

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  #4  
Old 04-01-2009, 10:34 AM
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h0ughy (David)
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hard to tell as phil had removed the scope and mount, but i think it will be large enough for me
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  #5  
Old 04-01-2009, 10:40 AM
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renormalised (Carl)
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Talking

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!!!"
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  #6  
Old 04-01-2009, 10:41 AM
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JohnG (John)
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Onya David

Looks like everything went into the trailer OK.

Cheers
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  #7  
Old 04-01-2009, 10:43 AM
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renormalised (Carl)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RB View Post
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.

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






Last edited by renormalised; 04-01-2009 at 10:55 AM.
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  #8  
Old 04-01-2009, 10:45 AM
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h0ughy (David)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by renormalised View Post
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!!!"
actually to get out of the direct path of streetlights the part halfway down on the slope is the area i am looking at.
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  #9  
Old 04-01-2009, 10:45 AM
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h0ughy (David)
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Onya David

Looks like everything went into the trailer OK.

Cheers
thanks for your help and suggestions John
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  #10  
Old 04-01-2009, 11:02 AM
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renormalised (Carl)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by h0ughy View Post
actually to get out of the direct path of streetlights the part halfway down on the slope is the area i am looking at.
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!!!
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  #11  
Old 04-01-2009, 11:07 AM
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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
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  #12  
Old 04-01-2009, 11:13 AM
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RB (Andrew)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by renormalised View Post
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





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
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  #13  
Old 04-01-2009, 11:23 AM
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renormalised (Carl)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RB View Post
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
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.
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  #14  
Old 04-01-2009, 11:29 AM
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mozzie (Peter)
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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
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  #15  
Old 04-01-2009, 12:01 PM
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RB (Andrew)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by renormalised View Post
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.
Thank You !

Cheers
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  #16  
Old 04-01-2009, 01:10 PM
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That storm was a cracker Dave .. you could of at least coaxed the crap weather into following you down the highway!!.
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  #17  
Old 04-01-2009, 02:22 PM
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h0ughy (David)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nightstalker View Post
That storm was a cracker Dave .. you could of at least coaxed the crap weather into following you down the highway!!.
as it was it was a cloud magnet -- rained on me on the way home and was raining when i got home Friday night
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  #18  
Old 04-01-2009, 02:35 PM
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h0ughy (David)
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i would like to get two more bays - see if i can get them for the 182.00 each
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  #19  
Old 04-01-2009, 03:36 PM
rally
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Houghy,

What size trailer did you end up using ?

It all seemed to fit quite well in that one.

Cheers

Rally
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  #20  
Old 04-01-2009, 03:49 PM
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h0ughy (David)
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Quote:
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Houghy,

What size trailer did you end up using ?

It all seemed to fit quite well in that one.

Cheers

Rally
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
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