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connecting and powering up

Last post by Gordon « Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:57 pm
Replies: 1
by JeffBevan » Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:02 pm

First post

What is the procedure or consensus on powering up your observatory when running remotely. It seems as if each device has its own peculiarities in...

Last post

I normally plug everything in on the remote location, then turn on the power, and finally turn on the computer. So far I haven't had any issues...

1 Replies

43 Views

Last post by Gordon
Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:57 pm
Rain sensor

Last post by SparWeb « Mon Nov 28, 2022 6:39 am
Replies: 21
by KathyNS » Sat Sep 26, 2020 1:48 pm
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First post

I have been using a wet-leaf water sensor to detect rain, in order to auto-close my dome if the weather tanks. It is reliable and sensitive, and it...

Last post

Thanks for confirming. I expected things like snow and hoarfrost would confuse it, but then again, those are conditions where you want to button up...
21 Replies

17752 Views

Last post by SparWeb
Mon Nov 28, 2022 6:39 am
Mike's Low-Budget Home Observatory (WIP)

Last post by Rasalgethi « Sun Nov 27, 2022 6:12 pm
Replies: 51
by chartram » Mon May 31, 2021 1:15 am
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First post

Hello everyone!

I am SUPER excited to finally be in the beginning stages of my low-budget, low-tech DIY roll-off! Hopefully, documenting my progress...

Last post

Guess what I am trying to say is that this is the best $1,845 I've spent on this hobby- this shed has more than paid for itself in its first year of...
51 Replies

25562 Views

Last post by Rasalgethi
Sun Nov 27, 2022 6:12 pm
How to automate my Exploradome

Last post by JeffBevan « Sat Nov 12, 2022 2:32 pm
Replies: 39
by ic_1101 » Mon Nov 02, 2020 2:29 pm
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First post

Hi all. I was fortunate to have found a used 8’ Exploradome at a good price. It certainly will make my winter imaging more enjoyable. However I do...

Last post

I have gone down this path as well. My dome is entirely home built and as such my dome rings are plastic (lexan) easily purchased as 4'x8' sheets...
39 Replies

28272 Views

Last post by JeffBevan
Sat Nov 12, 2022 2:32 pm
It's Finally Time To Build My Observatory

Last post by chartram « Wed Nov 09, 2022 10:09 am
Replies: 118
by JayTee » Mon May 23, 2022 7:52 pm
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First post

Greetings,

It's finally time to start building my observatory. This observatory incorporates a unique design feature. One that I have yet to find on...

Last post

Fantastic build JT! Wishing you many clear skies and endless enjoyment!

Mike
118 Replies

4385 Views

Last post by chartram
Wed Nov 09, 2022 10:09 am
Backyard Resin Roll Off Roof Observatory

Last post by chartram « Mon Oct 10, 2022 6:42 pm
Replies: 13
by Kerry C. » Mon Sep 19, 2022 10:43 pm

First post

I thought I would give a progress update on my roll off roof observatory. First off this is not my own brainchild of using prebuilt resin sheds as a...

Last post

Very nice work!

13 Replies

511 Views

Last post by chartram
Mon Oct 10, 2022 6:42 pm
Combatting mildew and corrosion

Last post by SkyHiker « Wed Sep 14, 2022 7:22 pm
Replies: 5
by 47Tuc » Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:29 am

First post

In my roll-off roof observatory, I'm getting some mildew on wood and corrosion on metal parts of my equipment (such as counterweights). There are no...

Last post

Have you tried hanging a large towel over your equipment? It works for me, at least sometimes. Maybe because it keeps the equipment a bit from...

5 Replies

610 Views

Last post by SkyHiker
Wed Sep 14, 2022 7:22 pm
How to get my exploradome to sync with scope and I use Asiair plus

Last post by KathyNS « Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:01 am
Replies: 6
by Astro Cat NM » Thu Jul 14, 2022 3:52 pm

First post

Hello everyone first time poster here. I have an exploradome that is automated, Foster System, dome pro 2. I would like to know how I can get my dome...

Last post

If you were running ASCOM on Windows, I could help you. I have software that will synchronize the dome to the mount, but it requires ASCOM. I know...

6 Replies

327 Views

Last post by KathyNS
Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:01 am
A blast from the past

Last post by Johnny Carter « Sat Jun 18, 2022 6:47 pm
Replies: 9
by OzEclipse » Wed May 18, 2022 12:46 am

First post

I unearthed some old not very good quality prints that were taken in April 1986. During the apparition of Halley's comet, I went and stayed at Mt...

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Loved the story and pics, made me think of where I was in those times, I went through a big career change back then.

9 Replies

586 Views

Last post by Johnny Carter
Sat Jun 18, 2022 6:47 pm
My makeshift observatory

Last post by pakarinen « Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:29 pm
Replies: 7
by omeek » Thu Apr 14, 2022 10:17 pm

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So now that I'm all settled in at my new place I figured out the easiest and cheapest way to get my observing spot going for now. After trying a few...

Last post

I'd like to have a pad but the HOA says, Nein! , so my deck will have to do. I sank three concrete blocks in the backyard when I was a kid to set my...

7 Replies

570 Views

Last post by pakarinen
Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:29 pm
Suggested domes or roll-off observatory plans.

Last post by KathyNS « Sun Mar 06, 2022 6:52 pm
Replies: 3
by helicon » Sun Mar 06, 2022 3:36 pm

First post

As I am not getting younger, but rather turn 52 at the end of the month I'm getting interested in observatories so I don't have to haul out the Dob...

Last post

I have an 8' Exploradome, with a wooden building made from the Exploradome plans. I am quite happy with it.

3 Replies

624 Views

Last post by KathyNS
Sun Mar 06, 2022 6:52 pm
DIY Dome controller

Last post by rpineau « Sat Dec 18, 2021 7:37 pm
Replies: 5
by rpineau » Fri Apr 30, 2021 7:46 pm

First post

I just wanted to post this in case someone want to use it (or part of it ) :

Some function are still a work in progress (like the support for...

Last post

As Kathy and other have said, it's better to let the session control application do the math for you than trying to get the dome controller to do it....

5 Replies

8490 Views

Last post by rpineau
Sat Dec 18, 2021 7:37 pm
Nexdome

Last post by KathyNS « Sat Nov 27, 2021 5:39 pm
Replies: 4
by northforkman » Sat Nov 27, 2021 4:27 pm

First post

Hello...
I am a new member and was wondering if anyone has had experience with the purchase, setup and usage of a Nexdome backyard observatory. I am...

Last post

Welcome, northforkman!

I don't have a Nexdome, but I have used an Exploradome for a few years. I am very happy with it. It needed some modification,...

4 Replies

4460 Views

Last post by KathyNS
Sat Nov 27, 2021 5:39 pm
Finally My OB Build begins

Last post by Gulf Coast Guy « Sun Oct 17, 2021 5:44 am
Replies: 11
by Gulf Coast Guy » Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:34 am

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I retired back in Sept., We movedinto the new house in March, Got the pad poured and yhe pier up in May. I'll have to wait till Aug (21st)to get the...

Last post

Shed is stationary ... BUT there is still room on the pad for an 8' dome way down the road. It has become clear that a climate controled room is a...

11 Replies

9262 Views

Last post by Gulf Coast Guy
Sun Oct 17, 2021 5:44 am
Mini observatory project for the holidays

Last post by Michael131313 « Fri Oct 15, 2021 7:09 pm
Replies: 6
by SkyHiker » Fri Oct 15, 2021 4:18 am

First post

Observatory or a glorified storage box, that's up to the beholder. I just need to store my mount + OTA shielded from theft and weather to save myself...

Last post

Nice and simple solution. I like it. Thanks.

6 Replies

5175 Views

Last post by Michael131313
Fri Oct 15, 2021 7:09 pm
Bay for 8 foot round ExploraDome building

Last post by John Fitzgerald « Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:44 pm
Replies: 4
by John Fitzgerald » Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:27 pm

First post

I just finished building and installing a custom 38 inch wide bay for my little round building. Pictures provided if anyone is interested.

Last post

My pictures are somehow out of chronological order, but you get the gist of it. I have them numbered in order of construction.

4 Replies

3266 Views

Last post by John Fitzgerald
Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:44 pm
Unique approach to an observatory

Last post by kt4hx « Thu Sep 16, 2021 4:23 pm
Replies: 14
by Lowjiber » Thu Dec 17, 2020 1:06 pm

First post

As my Granny would say, I've been to three hog-killings and two county fairs, but I've never seen anything like this.

Clear Skies & Stay Safe

Last post

I have seen designs with a flip off roof, but never one that short in stature.

Clearly observatories for visual and AP are built very...

14 Replies

7588 Views

Last post by kt4hx
Thu Sep 16, 2021 4:23 pm
Post pics of your observatory

Last post by helicon « Sat Sep 11, 2021 2:02 pm
Replies: 33
by KathyNS » Fri May 24, 2019 11:34 am
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I'll start. I built this observatory six years ago. When we moved less than two years later, I wasn't about to leave it behind, so I had a crew jack...

Last post

Pretty cool Mike!
33 Replies

26160 Views

Last post by helicon
Sat Sep 11, 2021 2:02 pm
New astronomy tent from Explore Scientific

Last post by pakarinen « Fri Aug 13, 2021 4:03 pm
Replies: 15
by AntennaGuy » Mon Feb 22, 2021 1:24 am

First post

There's a new astronomy tent offered by Explore Scientific.
See
Their video about setting it up and folding it back down is pretty entertaining:...

Last post

Do you have a link to the tent you have?

15 Replies

8817 Views

Last post by pakarinen
Fri Aug 13, 2021 4:03 pm
My permanent pier with my brake rotor pier mount

Last post by Gulf Coast Guy « Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:01 pm
Replies: 16
by Kerry C. » Fri May 21, 2021 1:57 am

First post

I finally finished my permanent pier and brake rotor pier mount. I have the electrical buried underground and up the pier... no more extension cords!...

Last post

Nicely done.

16 Replies

8937 Views

Last post by Gulf Coast Guy
Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:01 pm
Bay for 8 foot round ExploraDome building

Last post by John Fitzgerald « Wed Jun 02, 2021 1:57 pm

by John Fitzgerald » Wed Jun 02, 2021 1:57 pm

The bays sold by the mfg are about $750 including shipping. Thinking I could build a decent wood framed one for much much less. We have a metal...

0 Replies

2146 Views

Last post by John Fitzgerald
Wed Jun 02, 2021 1:57 pm
Dome Observatory

Last post by John Fitzgerald « Mon May 31, 2021 10:27 pm
Replies: 10
by helicon » Fri May 28, 2021 2:39 pm

First post

I'm in the market for a domed observatory for the backyard. My plan is to keep my AR152 in the obsy on its Twilight II mount. Considering it is a 6...

Last post

I didn't go through a dealer. I ordered it direct. They are very nice to deal with. With the 8 foot round building, the price for the 8 foot deluxe...

10 Replies

5737 Views

Last post by John Fitzgerald
Mon May 31, 2021 10:27 pm
One small step

Last post by pakarinen « Fri May 28, 2021 2:48 pm
Replies: 1
by OzEclipse » Fri May 28, 2021 1:18 pm

First post

Today I drove 150km to Bathurst, NSW where I met a man with a suspiciously Scottish accent who claimed he lived a further 100km north of Bathurst....

Last post

Most excellent! Lovely piece of hardware!

1 Replies

2345 Views

Last post by pakarinen
Fri May 28, 2021 2:48 pm
Open for Spring

Last post by helicon « Sat Feb 27, 2021 2:54 pm
Replies: 1
by jrkirkham » Sat Feb 27, 2021 3:45 am

First post

This isn't exactly an observing report, but perhaps similar. The weather in Illinois finally warmed and I opened the observatory POD for spring. I...

Last post

Cool obsy upgrades Rob.

1 Replies

2623 Views

Last post by helicon
Sat Feb 27, 2021 2:54 pm
Retirement and observatory/dark sky home purchase

Last post by MistrBadgr « Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:50 pm
Replies: 30
by OzEclipse » Wed Aug 19, 2020 1:15 pm
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I have just 1.5 weeks left to retirement day.

Last weekend I pulled the trigger and put down a deposit on my retirement home 160km from my present...

Last post

Congratulations, Joe, on all of it!!! :)
30 Replies

15340 Views

Last post by MistrBadgr
Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:50 pm

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