I never got to use it, but it was mine for a few years.
4.2mt in diameter. Originally built by Gordon Jones, then it was donated to the Sunshine Coast Astronomical Society (i think) then was used by Glenn Lang who in turn, passed it on to me.
I needed to setup my Meade 14"LX200R permanently as it was not getting used much because of the effort required to get the thing set up for an observing session and the danger of damaging the scope when carrying it around
I had very little space to work with and the missus insisted that it end up not looking like a tin hut or some outhouse.
I got one of those plastic sheds and replaced the roof with an aluminium roller-shutter door.
Waterproofing was done with adhesive PVC sheeting used on outdoor signboards.
It works like a bomb and is totally maintenance free as there's no timber to treat every year and no steel to rust.
Under $5oo and works well...........What more do you want ? WHO SAID PLENTY ?.............Similar to stitch and glue method,fiberglass finish,suits my F5.3 mak-newt and 4" triplet..............waterproof ? FOREVER.................Stick it on the corner of your existing shed [experienced almost cyclonic conditions,not a drop inside] MDF base,3 layers of chop strand mat[cost of mat and resin $200,tube ring 30mm $100,,,,,mdf plus all other material $70.. 7 feet in diameter,but easy enough to make them any size,just a little bit of extra cost.........................Whats the other $130 for?......to fit it onto your existing shed............................... .......MAC
Last edited by macsen2; 14-04-2010 at 06:14 PM.
Reason: more info
Inside of My Roll of Roof Obs
Luckily survived the 05' 06' Bushfires Flames came within 10mt.
Gets some severe visual use all year round by locals and OS visitors to the Grampians region.
Should get the latest Atik 314 L+ Cam for some serious study on the quiet Dark nights
Hi All,
Recently completed installation of a 2.3m Sirius Home Dome in the back garden. The dome came with a pier, Takahashi EM200B mount and Takahashi TS225 plus a number of accessories. The installation took three weekends with the help of a builder with footing and floor. I will need to give the dome exterior a good clean as it is not as nice and bright as others in this thread.
I live in a rather windy town, Wellington NZ, and have a strap I run over the top as extra security in high winds. Is there any way of adding additional "hold downs' to this type of dome.
Cheers
John Field
Here is my old observatory. It is now a storage shed with the dome removed. I built it in 2000 and removed the dome 2009 when I needed to down size. While it was up it housed 1st a LX200 10". Later a LX200GPS 12". It served the purpose admirably with a permantly aligned polar wedge.
Based on a 8' x 6' Argos tin shed. Now three years old and relocated to Belgium. Does the job very well. Teamviewer remote control from the warm office.