Sirius 2.3m or 3.5m dome?

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by SpaceNoob

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.

Awesome looking setup there Chris You in Gungahlin?

Mike

[SpaceNoob (Chris)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Awesome looking setup there Chris You in Gungahlin?

Mike

Cheers Mike it has been a mission! I'm out at West Macgregor, just on the edge of the boarder. Your setup is not far from mine I'd imagine

I believe the column design was based on your monolithic structure .... Can't say I ever intend to dig another 1m deep hole into clay by hand or mix anymore concrete ever again.....

[Paul Haese]

I run both types of roof systems. Roll off and a dome. Both fully automated and both protected from rain, cloud etc.

The roll off roof has killed one Eaton UPS because of the dew. The Dome is great for minimal dew issues. It was not cheap to build though. About a similar price to buy the dome.

The only down side to the dome is you could not have a desk in there. I have a Scope dome which runs on a track at ground level and has an umbilical cord. Though you could mount the dome on a wall and have the umbilical running down near the wall under a false floor. I rarely go into it when it is imaging. I just don't have the need to be in there.

You can buy a fully automated Scopedome 3M for around 12-13k from the Australian distributor. I am not sure about freight, but that does seem like a lot. I can get whole truck loads of materials to a site 800km away for $1200.

Think about going full remote as it will eventually be a want. Staying up night after night to do a long imaging run has knobs on it. The cost outlay is nothing compared to what your sleep is worth. It will also mean you can image from anywhere in the world. Just a thought.

[Amaranthus (Barry)]

This is where a forum like IIS really shines -- the feedback here (on a financially significant decision) has been tremendous! Thanks to Eric, Peter, Chris and Paul for sharing your experiences and given really sound advice.

Given that I just can't see myself ever getting anything as bigger than an RC12, I reckon the 2.3m with a bunch of pod bays will suit me fine. Yes, I'm convinced now that a dome is the way to go, and although it's going to be more expensive, I reckon full automation is also going to be key, or else I'm going to regret it in the future. Paul, I remember I was very impressed with your talk on this topic in Adelaide a few months back, but at the time thought "yeah, but I won't need to go the whole hog". Now I think maybe I will. Even with a dome right near the house, sleep is nice, and maximising imaging time via weather detectors etc. also sounds sweet.

So thanks. I really value all this.

Paul - who is the Oz distributor for Scopedome? I should check it out before I make a final decision.

I'm also wondering whether I might be best to get a pier installed from the start.

[Paul Haese]

Hi Barry,

I had no idea that you had seen my talk on remote imaging. Glad you got something from it.

Rally (a member here) is the distributor of ScopeDomes here in Australia. His sig here is simply Rally.

As for pier, you will need to consider how big the scope is and which dome you will go with. With that thought out there is no reason you cannot go and start this straight away.

[Amaranthus (Barry)]

I had no idea that you had seen my talk on remote imaging.

Yep - it was when I was still living in Adelaide. I'm the guy who bought your 12nm narrowband filters!

Is there any particular pier supplier that is recommended?

[Paul Haese]

Originally Posted by Amaranthus

Yep - it was when I was still living in Adelaide. I'm the guy who bought your 12nm narrowband filters!

Is there any particular pier supplier that is recommended?

Sorry Barry, gold fish effect occurring there. It is now indelibly etched into my brain that you are the Barry I know.

I had my piers made up. I recommend you go to a local steel fabricator and ask them to make you one up. They will want a drawing to show what you want. My recommendation is go at least 8" in diameter and if you can 10mm wall thickness or more.

[Neil]

G'day Barry, I have the Sirius 2.3m Dome only mounted on a colourbond steel framed shed 6x3m.Obviously this gives me plenty of space, but you can expect to pay twice as much as the 2.3m observatory. Clear skies.