Portable Observatories

[issdaol (Phil)]

Hi All,

I would be interested to know if anyone has ever used one of the AstroGazer portable observatories?

http://www.astrogizmos.com/

Would love to hear opinions of how practical they are etc?

Are there any better alternatives out there?

Cheers

[Scorpius51 (John)]

Hi Phil

Here is a thread that you may be interested in http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=59889

Cheers
John

[issdaol (Phil)]

hi john,

looks interesting. only problem would be making a cover and unobstructed observation port.

it is food for thought though.

thanks for the link

cheers

[michaellxv (Michael)]

Looks good but kinda expensive for portable. I went with this option http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=59704
I only use it at home when I know its going to be a clear night to keep out stray light (from my incosiderate family) and wind.

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by michaellxv

Looks good but kinda expensive for portable. I went with this option http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=59704
I only use it at home when I know its going to be a clear night to keep out stray light (from my incosiderate family) and wind.

Cheers Michael.

Cost is a definately a factor however primary considerations are:

-Stability & Protection of Kit inside,
-Ease of Setup/Breakdown,
-Practicality for viewing,

I also checked out the "Tent" on the Sirius site but that is just too small for what I want.

So far John's option seems to hold most promise as I suppose it could be fully built from material from Bunnings

[MLyons (Martin)]

Here's my portable kit.
Works great for keeping wind and stray light out.

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by MLyons

Here's my portable kit.
Works great for keeping wind and stray light out.

Very Nice

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by Scorpius51

Hi Phil

Here is a thread that you may be interested in http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=59889

Cheers
John

Originally Posted by MLyons

Here's my portable kit.
Works great for keeping wind and stray light out.

Hi John & Martin,

How long have you found that these take to setup??

Also how steady/stable have you found them to be in windy conditions (especially with the wheel option)?

Cheers

[MLyons (Martin)]

Hi Phil,

It takes me around 15 minutes to set mine up on my own.
The 50mm PVC piping and the 8 stays with strong tent pegs keeps this thing standing in quite severe winds.

It recently survived winds that I believe were in the 35 - 40 km/hr range (although it really was close to its limit)

One normally wouldn't even set it up in those conditions but rather use it as a shield against light winds and stray light.

PS - The method of construction is very important in establishing structural integrity while utilising light materials.
Note the way the vertical rods are threaded through the fabric.

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by MLyons

Hi Phil,

It takes me around 15 minutes to set mine up on my own.
The 50mm PVC piping and the 8 stays with strong tent pegs keeps this thing standing in quite severe winds.

It recently survived winds that I believe were in the 35 - 40 km/hr range (although it really was close to its limit)

One normally wouldn't even set it up in those conditions but rather use it as a shield against light winds and stray light.

PS - The method of construction is very important in establishing structural integrity while utilising light materials.
Note the way the vertical rods are threaded through the fabric.

Hi Martin,


Sounds great and it certainly looks well setup. Also 15 minutes is good time

This is looking like a real option at the moment so I hope you dont mind me asking some further questions

What type of PVC pieces are you using?

Do they have screw on ends or just slot in ends??

What are the best lenghts to use?

What sort of canvas do you use and what size is it cut to?

I would probably do the roof components as an add-on so would they use the same sizes?

Cheers

[Hypnotist (Bartholomew)]

I personally don't get why someone would want a portable observatory! I'd just take my scope out whenever needed. Why bother wasting money on an obseratory? Get yourself something else!

Regards
Bart

[MLyons (Martin)]

Originally Posted by Hypnotist

I personally don't get why someone would want a portable observatory! I'd just take my scope out whenever needed. Why bother wasting money on an obseratory? Get yourself something else!

Regards
Bart

Oh well, after that gem of insightful advice I have no justification for keeping mine so I think I'll just chuck it away

[Max Vondel (Peter)]

Don't get discouraged Martin
"Wind", "Light", "Dust" and people are the obvious answers!
Besides it makes for a little "Mine" Zone

Nice work!

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by Hypnotist

I personally don't get why someone would want a portable observatory! I'd just take my scope out whenever needed. Why bother wasting money on an obseratory? Get yourself something else!

Regards
Bart

Hi Bart,

Exactly how many telescopes and how much practical observing have you personally done over the past 10-20 years???

Also how many telescopes have you owned? Especially systems that weigh almost 100kg when fully setup???

Also are you able to predict and gaurantee the total lighting and environmental conditions for your entire observing session before you have lovingly & painstakenly packed, unpacked and setup your 100kg $30,000.00 investment???

If you can elaborate on all of the points above I would greatly appreciate more of your sage advice.

Thanks

[RobF (Rob)]

C'mon guys, lets not be too harsh.....

For those of us with a single rig that's relatively portable and a half decent spot to set up in the back yard it is much less of a priority. In fact you could argue you might be better off with 2 portable rigs to run similtaneously at a dark sky site rather than investing in an observatory limited by city pollution (obviously applies only to those of us residing in the 'burbs....)

I've been particularly interested in this thread though because I'm starting to leave the scope up a few nights in a row if imaging a certain object and there's good reason to believe the weather will behave. I can't really find the space (or money) for a permanent setup but would like a bit more protection than the current BBQ cover, tarp and 2 bungie straps....

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Although I have a permanent observatory, all extra protection can be useful, particularly if you image at long focal lengths where just a fraction of movement can make such a difference. Neighbours lights can also be a particular nuisance and some shielding is always welcome. In the end it's about making your hobby more enjoyable, and in many cases a portable observatory will do just that.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Somebody brought one of these portable domes to SPSP last year and it was damaged and collapsed in the strong winds over night. I wouldn't trust it as a semi permanent solution at all.

The first and key line of attack against wind is a sturdy mount. As an example, I designed and had constructed a basic but solid pedestal pier for my gear and it has proved a remarkably stable unit in very strong winds. This image was take at Wiruna during very high wind conditions and while out in the complete open - sure it would have turned out better in more stable conditions but the final result is quite acceptable considering. The key is a low damping time mount. As setup my rig dampens at high power after a strong rap on the mount, in about 1 - 2 sec.

Shielding from stray light is however another story but from my experience unless it is severe and rather direct it causes little issue for imaging at least, for visual observing however it can be very annoying.

A proper permanent observatory (which I long for again!) is most useful for avoiding setup and packup as well as for multiple night image runs .....ah sigh, one day....

Mike

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Strong winds are going to make a portable job a problem.... I generally don't bother if it's too windy anyway, just not that desperate ..... Yet.....

[RobF (Rob)]

Yes, must confess I'd be VERY careful putting up portable protection anywhere other than my tightly fenced and hedged backyard. I know first hand from my windsurfing days what a an even moderate wind can do with more than a sq metre of fabric.....!

[issdaol (Phil)]

I unfortunatately am not in a location that gives me very good light conditions at night and do not have the luxury of a permanent observatory setup So a a high quality portable system suits my personal requirments better. I also have other interests to spread my finances than having 2 systems. ( 4WD'ing, DX'ing, RC Nitro Cars, Bow Hunting, Kayaking....)

Also, I am primarily into visual observation and the Mewlon 300 gives me outstanding visuals but is not the smallest/easiest to transport scope. In my opinion, what I loose in quick portability with the Mewlon 300/EM400 rig I gain 100 fold in personal satisfaction from the superb high contrast/high resolution visuals. A second smaller perhaps lower quality system will not give me the same visual performance/reach.

Unfortuantely when you have to move a system that weighs in close to 100kg and takes some time to setup you cannot always gaurantee that conditions will remain the same all the time. Especially if such trips can involve extended stays in dark sky sites that are further away than others.

Sometimes you will get an annoying breeze that is not strong enough to make a major nuisance to a good mount but can generate dust and debris. Additionally on longer or further afield trips there might be a change in conditions with light moisture/drizzle.

It is then a pain in the behind to have to move all your gear undercover or pack it all away for these disruptions.

Barriers like these can provide benefits in these circumstances especially if they can be setup in only 15-20 minutes and secured relatively well.

Of course if conditions are too adverse such as winds strong enough to rip down tents, drench you in rain or cause other havoc you would not setup in the first place and risk your rig.

Under the right conditions you could potentially setup all your gear in one of these and leave it overnight without concern that overnight breezes, debris or moisture will have a major impact and without having to contantly setup and take down your rig.

In any event we each have different systems, preferences and requirements that make these of value to some and not others.