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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

85 Views

Last post by KathyNS
Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:01 am
It's Finally Time To Build My Observatory

Last post by Gordon « Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:10 am
Replies: 51
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

Well, it looks like it’s moving right along!

Congratulations on your results so far. I’m looking forward to your next report!
51 Replies

1051 Views

Last post by Gordon
Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:10 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

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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

309 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

298 Views

Last post by pakarinen
Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:29 pm
How to automate my Exploradome

Last post by SparWeb « Sat Apr 02, 2022 11:51 pm
Replies: 34
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

Hi,
I've been following this thread with interest, though I don't have a dome myself.

Earlier I noted that the plastic ring gear of an Exploradome...
34 Replies

26055 Views

Last post by SparWeb
Sat Apr 02, 2022 11:51 pm
Combatting mildew and corrosion

Last post by Unitron48 « Sun Mar 20, 2022 12:36 pm
Replies: 1
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

This article might be of some help:

Dave

1 Replies

320 Views

Last post by Unitron48
Sun Mar 20, 2022 12:36 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...

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

3 Replies

406 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

8186 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...

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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

4228 Views

Last post by KathyNS
Sat Nov 27, 2021 5:39 pm
Rain sensor

Last post by OzEclipse « Sat Oct 30, 2021 3:09 am
Replies: 18
by KathyNS » Sat Sep 26, 2020 1:48 pm

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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...

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Would it not be such a bad idea to button things up when the dewpoint is so high ?

With a solid-tube Newt in a dome, dew is not really a factor...

18 Replies

17061 Views

Last post by OzEclipse
Sat Oct 30, 2021 3:09 am
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

8660 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

4890 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

3032 Views

Last post by John Fitzgerald
Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:44 pm
Mike's Low-Budget Home Observatory (WIP)

Last post by Graeme1858 « Sun Oct 10, 2021 7:56 pm
Replies: 49
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

Great area rug you have there!

I wonder if I could get away with painting a compass rose on my deck. Um....no.

Why not? I was planning on...
49 Replies

23308 Views

Last post by Graeme1858
Sun Oct 10, 2021 7:56 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

7149 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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First post

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

25213 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

8046 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

8443 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

2001 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

5199 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

2180 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

2471 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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First post

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

14499 Views

Last post by MistrBadgr
Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:50 pm
New Obsy Design Help

Last post by pakarinen « Sat Jan 02, 2021 7:42 pm
Replies: 12
by JayTee » Fri Jan 01, 2021 12:43 am

First post

First off, Happy New Year or See ya 2020!

I'm in the process of designing my Obsy for my new house. Here's what I know:
I don't want a roll OFF roof...

Last post

I've read some threads where people have used extruded polystyrene panels (blue, pink, green) as the core of wall panels, like these commercial...

12 Replies

6982 Views

Last post by pakarinen
Sat Jan 02, 2021 7:42 pm
Concrete pier - Moved!

Last post by seigell « Fri Jan 01, 2021 6:11 pm
Replies: 7
by DMouse » Wed Oct 21, 2020 12:11 am

First post

Hi, I recently discovered my shed had moved enough to push against the concrete pier. This was causing the mounts alignment to keep going out of...

Last post

The question being should I add more support or now that the shed is no longer pushing it, it will settle and should be fine?

Don't work to lever...

7 Replies

4324 Views

Last post by seigell
Fri Jan 01, 2021 6:11 pm

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