Cover Your Astro

[ReaPerMan (Paul)]

I found this article on cloudy nights http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=2316

and I wondered if anyone has tried to construct one of these? The link to the Cover Your Astro has been dead for a long time and there does not seem to be any copies of the plans floating on the net. Having said that I spent today pricing the matierials for this from sketches I made from the article and one other at www.esmithonline.com/astronomy/observatory.htm

The cost of 40mm PVC retic pipe and all of the associated 45 degree bends, wheels, T pieces and Poly tarp to cover it comes out at an estimated $350. Not bad really!

Of course if anyone knows of a copy of the original plans that would be nice?

all the best

Paul

article and Picture credit to Rusty Walston at cloudy nights

[michaellxv (Michael)]

You might also be interested in this one http://www.tulsawalk.com/projects/ob...els/index.html

I priced pvc components and found unusual variety in pricing from different hardware stores. At some the pricing between larger and smaller sizes seemd to be reversed. So shop around.

I am currently considering an alternative. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=59704

[ReaPerMan (Paul)]

Thanks Michael

I'm looking to make something that will allow me to set up my gear and then leave it out whilst protecting from the elements. I have already come up with some ideas for the covering that will make this waterproof to a fair degree and will allow it to be staked down so that it doesn't blow away. I also like this concept because it can be torn down and transported so easily.

I have my quote for the plastic components and most likely will start construction around wednesday. I'll take pictures and post them up as soon as i'm done.

Paul

[Allan_L (Allan)]

The site with the plans has moved to:

http://www.oocities.com/mschwa01/buildit.htm

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Sirius Optics in Brisbane sell a 'similar' thing, slightly cheaper than your estimated costs...
http://www.sirius-optics.com.au/viewing%20tent.htm
Doug

[ReaPerMan (Paul)]

Originally Posted by Allan_L

The site with the plans has moved to:

http://www.oocities.com/mschwa01/buildit.htm

Hi Allan.

This site is a backup of the old geocity sites when they closed down. Whilst it does have some of the pages it is not fully working. In fact some of the content states that it was last updated in August 2001. I have tried contacting the Hotmail for the author but it does not exist anymore. It does however have a few more bits of information which would allow me to reverse engineer the size and matierials to more closely approximate the original. Thanks very much.

Originally Posted by dugnsuz

Sirius Optics in Brisbane sell a 'similar' thing, slightly cheaper than your estimated costs...
http://www.sirius-optics.com.au/viewing%20tent.htm
Doug

Hi Doug

I am aware of the observing tent from Sirius but it was not quiet what I was after. I wanted to set up in my back yard for exetended periods of time whilst allowing me to take down or move the Observatory when I needed to. Also I have scaled up the size so that I have a substatial amount of room (3M diameter). I have constructed mine based on 40mm pipe and fittings so it does cost more than if I had used 25mm. If kept to the original scale the costs would come in at less than $300 in total.

Thanks for the input.