So, I've now settled into my dark-sky site in southern Tassie (yay - the Milky Way is now awesomely rich in Bortle 2 skies, with limiting visual mag of about 6.8). Next step, get an observatory built to set my gear up permanently.
I've basically decided on a Sirius Observatory, and am tossing up between the 2.3m "Home" model and the 3.5m "School" version. (http://www.siriusobservatories.com/index.php/products) I wondered if anyone here had feedback on these - did anyone get the smaller one and then regret it, for instance? It's a big price leap from the 2.3 to 3.5m version (over double the cost), and I'm just not sure I will need the larger one.
I currently use a tripod-mounted AZ-EQ6 but am considering putting this on a pier. My current imaging scopes are 80mm and 120mm refractors and an 8" SCT. I'm definitely going to get a 130mm apo in the near future and am also thinking of a (much) later upgrade to something like a PMX + 8-12" RCOS (...one step at a time, but I want this observatory project to be 'future proof' for the reasonably long term).
I don't need full automation since this will not be a remote observatory, and I like to monitor things -- but I can see the advantage of motorised dome control to keep the slit aligned with where the telescope is pointing, etc. I'd also like the room to set up a desk/chair in the dome. I'm not a 'handyman' by any means, which is why the pre-fab and commercial dome installation appeals to me.
I love any feedback that past Sirius customers might have!
i have no advice to give other than if they are over twice the price for the 3.5m version and you haven't got a massive scope why not get two 2.3m domes and double the imaging time!?
That's a pretty darned good point Rusty - hadn't thought of that. I could start with the 2.3m, and later 'upgrade' to either a 2nd 2.3m or else a 3.5m if/when I need it -- no rush! I certainly have the physical space for 2 domes.
The skies here are definitely fantastic. I just wish the clouds would cooperate more frequently But then again, I understand the whole east coast has been pretty rotten, weather-wise, this last month.
I have always believed in building for redundancy. You may end up with a bigger scope at some point in time. If the capital allows it, always go bigger especially in observatories.
I've got a 2.4m KiwiDome, which I believe is based on the 2.3m Sirius? It is heaps big enough for the scopes you've listed. My recommendation would be to go for the smaller option, and put the cost difference into other astro-toys ;-)
I got a quote for the freight, comes in at almost $3K just for transport of the kit (which I then need to put together), and unfortunately insurance from Melbourne to Tassie leg is not covered. Given this and the relatively high cost of the whole setup (motorized dome control etc.), I'm still considering other options.
One may be to get a roll-off roof shed constructed. That way I can have 2 scopes side-by-side in the same building. So still thinking...
I got a quote for the freight, comes in at almost $3K just for transport of the kit (which I then need to put together), and unfortunately insurance from Melbourne to Tassie leg is not covered. Given this and the relatively high cost of the whole setup (motorized dome control etc.), I'm still considering other options.
One may be to get a roll-off roof shed constructed. That way I can have 2 scopes side-by-side in the same building. So still thinking...
that is the other option I reckon if you aren't after the 'dome look' a large shed sized roll off roof could fit a few scopes in no trouble at all - line them up!
I got a quote for the freight, comes in at almost $3K just for transport of the kit (which I then need to put together), and unfortunately insurance from Melbourne to Tassie leg is not covered. Given this and the relatively high cost of the whole setup (motorized dome control etc.), I'm still considering other options.
One may be to get a roll-off roof shed constructed. That way I can have 2 scopes side-by-side in the same building. So still thinking...
the shipping alone would give you a great roll off roof shed, i own 2.3m and tit gets cosy with a large scope, mount and a computer and monitors, i used a small computer desk iin mine on wheels and set it up on the northern side and had my door entrance near the desk. lookup doghouse and you will find it. strongpong mike has created a dream setup with his 2.3m
Thanks Russell & David, yeah, that's what I'm thinking now. I can get a lot more floor space that way, at significantly lower cost. The thing is, this is never going to be a remote automated observatory. I'll be there to roll off the roof, set up etc., and so I can minimise that aspect of automation. And, as noted, use the saved $$ more wisely for investment in toys
Get the 3.5 with at least dome rotation. I constantly wish I'd got the 3.5 instead of the 2.3.
Personally I think fully automated is the way to go so that I never have to go into it, I just log in from my office and control it from there - but that's my preference.
Sage advice Jonathan. I'd come to kind of the same decision regarding size. But a roll-off roof might suit me better, which could fit say two piers for AP and a Dob for visual, so that is something I'm investigating now.
Barry,
If you go down the route of more sophisticated instrumentation and get involved in serious AP.....there's no way you want to sit outside with the mozzies etc. taking a (boring) two hour series of exposures - believe me.
The best thing, when you move from visual, is a suitable sized shed (See the TSO threads) to house the gear safely and then link to a home PC/Laptop ( Teamviewer is free and works well)
In my new location I'm just about to complete a telescope enclosure (Plan E) to weatherproof the C11 and spectroscope and be ready at a few minutes warning to start "data farming"
Think about where you want to be.......
Thanks Ken. The site of my future observatory is 30m from to my house, so even with a roll-off roof design, I can set it up, and then go inside and drive it all via my wireless network (I get a perfect signal out at the scope). The idea was to leave a cheap Notebook out at the scope (under a shelter), and then monitor it from my living room. I do a similar thing now with AP, but I have to break the whole setup down each night and move it all indoors, which is a pain I want to avoid. (and means polar aligning, etc. each new session).
Sage advice Jonathan. I'd come to kind of the same decision regarding size. But a roll-off roof might suit me better, which could fit say two piers for AP and a Dob for visual, so that is something I'm investigating now.
The only issue with the visual set-up will be the wall height which rather restricts the view. A small shed with an end door which rolls off altogether is a neat way of storing a larger dobsonian for visual use.
Whatever your preferred solution, a permanent setup enhances the hobby 1000%
Height is definitely an issue, I was thinking of a low wall/roof that essentially protected the gear, but then opened up most of the horizon with the roof off (i.e. only crouchable if entered with the roof on). But I haven't yet given up on the idea of a dome (the wind and dew control appeal particularly).
Have you thought about how your system will be protected from rain etc? I imagine the weather in Tassie can change very quickly. Once you get going with AP you'll want to take a nap while the AG is running, that nap will turn into deep sleep, to be hopefully woken by an alarm clock to drag yourself outside to close the roof. That's when you find out that clouds quickly rolled in and drenched everything...in addition to the dew that you get every night!
Roll-off obs are great for reaching thermal equilibrium very quickly, are cheaper to build and can house multiple OTAs pointed in different directions, but a dome can close with the telescope pointed in any direction, keeps everything inside fairly free of dew, and gives you much better horizons.
It's somewhat ironic that most professional sites could easily make due with a roll-off roof (very dry, rain is abnormal), but amateurs, who can least afford a dome, get the most benefits from it!?!
After having used a push-off dome for a few years (SkyShed POD + zenith table) to now using an automated 3m ScopeDome, the difference is night and day.
I don't think the size of the dome will be a big factor, you should be in there very rarely once all setup. I had a C14 side by side with a C11 on a PME in the POD, it was workable. But from what I've seen the complicated/expensive shutter motorization of the Sirius 2.3m is not ideal.
I just put up a 2.3m Sirius in the backyard with full automation cloud / rain / wind detection, power, data, and home security system integration with a Rottweiler for redundancy . My life has changed..... well it did for the brief moment of cloudless nights. Now I am cursed by clear days and clouded nights.
Very happy with mine so far but it is still a work in progress as it has only been up for around 4 weeks or so. It sits on a raised steel frame deck plus thick merbau decking which I corked on the interior of the observatory. The pier sits on a concrete column that comes up just below deck height. The column goes down to the ground where it is around 1 cubic meter inside the ground.
I run a CDK 12.5 in mine, probably similar tube size to a C14, I wouldn't go much bigger.
sounds like an additional option!
But then again, I understand the whole east coast has been pretty rotten, weather-wise, this last month.
. My life has changed..... well it did for the brief moment of cloudless nights. Now I am cursed by clear days and clouded nights.
