Portable observing hutch

[Dennis]

Hi

Some time ago I built an observing hutch to house the many computers, eyepieces, cameras, adaptors etc as well as provide mains power for astro camps. The main design goal was to keep the collapsed assembly small enough to fit in a small to medium sized motor vehicle.

Here are a series of photos showing how the relatively compact unit can be magically assembled into a fully grown hutch.

I also use it to do a little ad hoc entertaining, serving hot tea and biscuits on those long, cold evenings.

Cheers

Dennis

[sheeny (Al)]

What a beauty Dennis! I like it!

Might need some guy ropes for the little whirly-winds we get each camp at Lostock though .

Al.

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by sheeny

What a beauty Dennis! I like it!

Might need some guy ropes for the little whirly-winds we get each camp at Lostock though .

Al.

Hi Al

Thanks! Rather than fit guy ropes (which people may trip over in the dark) I have 4 right angle brackets that I bolt onto the bottom of the legs, then I drive a tent peg through a hole in each bracket to keep the legs pinned down. You can just make these out in the last photo of the hutch, at the bottom of each leg.

Cheers

Dennis

PS – the brackets were a post production mod, as the hutch did blow over once, at the Qld Astrofest...

[iceman (Mike)]

That is a piece of art, Dennis! Excellent workmanship.

Where's the how-to?

[RB (Andrew)]

Fantastic idea Dennis !

[Dennis]

Thanks guys. I have made a few mods since I took the above photos and I was holding off on the article until I can take a more up to date series of photos.

The hutch was relatively easy to make so if you are interested, it is well worth the effort to make one. I'll be writing the "how to" over the next week or two.

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman (Mike)]

It would be great, Dennis.. now that I can "sit" while imaging, i'm very keen on a hutch like this for myself!

Almost as good as an observatory

[leon]

I like it Dennis, you could make a quid out of them, i'm sure

Cheers leon

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Now that is a really great idea BUT I am sure I would put it right where I want to point the scope next

Nice and simple but very effective.

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by rmcpb

Now that is a really great idea BUT I am sure I would put it right where I want to point the scope next

Nice and simple but very effective.

That's why I designed it to be maneuverable, so that you can just pick it up and move it around the 'scope, depending on where you are imaging or observing, so your body heat and/or equipment heat have a minimum impact on the 'scope's FOV.

Cheers

Dennis

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Nice compact unit Dennis