My Observatory Tent Modifications
- carastro
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My Observatory Tent Modifications
I thought I would post the many modifications I made to my Camping Observatory to make it "up to the task" together with some photos!!
I think it has the name SkyTech or Astro-Tech on the side, (It's all folded away in it's bag now so can't check).
I love it, but I can't say the original design was up to the job, I have had to do a lot of modifications. But now it is great.
Modifications:
1. It arrived with a silly roof cover that hardly fitted over the edge of the roof, kept on with Velcro. I decided right at the start to add a 10" pelmet and also added clips to attach it to the sides when the roof is in place. (that helps enormously with getting the roof back on in the dark.
This is the original Roof provided, as you can see it fits where it touches. :
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
Guiding: SW Finderguider and QHY5
Scopes: Skywatcher ED80, Skywatcher ED120, William Optics ZS71, Samyang 135MM F2 lens,
Cameras: Atik460EX, Atik428EX, Canon 1100D
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Guiding: SW Finderguider and QHY5
Scopes: Skywatcher ED80, Skywatcher ED120, William Optics ZS71, Samyang 135MM F2 lens,
Cameras: Atik460EX, Atik428EX, Canon 1100D
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So I had a think about it and constructed some strong double pockets that would take the pressure (made from an old rucksack that I cut up). I also added channels for the actual rods - not only giving a second layer but were more likely to hold the rods upright.
Guiding: SW Finderguider and QHY5
Scopes: Skywatcher ED80, Skywatcher ED120, William Optics ZS71, Samyang 135MM F2 lens,
Cameras: Atik460EX, Atik428EX, Canon 1100D
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
Guiding: SW Finderguider and QHY5
Scopes: Skywatcher ED80, Skywatcher ED120, William Optics ZS71, Samyang 135MM F2 lens,
Cameras: Atik460EX, Atik428EX, Canon 1100D
Filters: Baader
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
Guiding: SW Finderguider and QHY5
Scopes: Skywatcher ED80, Skywatcher ED120, William Optics ZS71, Samyang 135MM F2 lens,
Cameras: Atik460EX, Atik428EX, Canon 1100D
Filters: Baader
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Guiding: SW Finderguider and QHY5
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
I don't currently have a photo of this, Here's me sitting in it at the last camp. I have taken a screen shot of the horizontal rods and zoomed in, you can possibly just make out the rod is grey and in some places white (depending on which tape I was using) instead o being black where I have wound tape around the rods in places to stop them splitting.
So all in all, a lot of work to make it "up to the task".
I do wonder how long the rods will last and I have had difficulty getting rods of the right width and length to replace them.
May have to improvise with something else, (any ideas?). Was wondering about some sort of metal cable.
Guiding: SW Finderguider and QHY5
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
It also keeps things more comfortable for me when l am sitting at the laptop. Once l was there and had no idea it was frosty outside until l came out of the obsy tent.
Carole
Guiding: SW Finderguider and QHY5
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
Looks very roomy. Do you sleep inside? Or, is it just for your gear/imaging?
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
Makes as difference blocking a bit of wind too I bet.
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Man... That's some icky-tasting stuff!
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
It is but l didn’t do them all at once, so soread over a frw years it wasn’t so bad.
When l was at Kelling Heath Star party last year another female with the same tent came to look at all my mods as she had some problems too. I ended up doing a PDF for her if the roof rod pockets as too difficult to explain. I must contact her to see how she got on.
Guiding: SW Finderguider and QHY5
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
The only culture I have is from yogurt
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I thought l had replied to this but must have mucked it up.
No l don’t sleep in it as l like to retreat to my cosy cabin and watch DVDs while the imaging is chugging away.
I did see another guy with the same tent once who was an observer who slept in his - he didn’t have the roof extension so l am glad it didn’t rain. With a table, chair and laptop in there, there is not much space for sleeping and l would be worried about knocking the tripod legs and messing up the PA.
I guess you could if you were desperate though.
Guiding: SW Finderguider and QHY5
Scopes: Skywatcher ED80, Skywatcher ED120, William Optics ZS71, Samyang 135MM F2 lens,
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Re: My Observatory Tent Modifications
carastro wrote: ↑Sat Sep 23, 2023 9:22 pmI thought l had replied to this but must have mucked it up.
No l don’t sleep in it as l like to retreat to my cosy cabin and watch DVDs while the imaging is chugging away.
I did see another guy with the same tent once who was an observer who slept in his - he didn’t have the roof extension so l am glad it didn’t rain. With a table, chair and laptop in there, there is not much space for sleeping and l would be worried about knocking the tripod legs and messing up the PA.
I guess you could if you were desperate though.
I hear you there. I would be afraid that I would kick something during the night!
That really sounds great! I need to do this someday.
Thanks Carole!
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
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