The humble beginning of a new observatory - GifNet.US

[chris_g]

Hello all,

I just ordered the Smart Astronomy ClearView Observatory Tent, it has an 8 foot diameter and should be enough room to set up two scopes and equipment for AP. This will be a semi-permanent setup in my backyard. It will also be used when I go remote. It will have a dedicated web site hosted on my VPS My Private Observatory It will have full internet access both wired and wireless. I plan on posting a full review of the tent here and follow ups as my observatory grows.

Smart Astronomy ClearView Observatory Tent

[messier 111]

I can't wait for your review, thx.

[SkyHiker]

Way to go Chris.

If you are setting up on dirt, here's a great idea for super stable and reproducible tripod feet placement. The guy sets up in 3 minutes with no polar alignment needed because of that.

I hope the 6' height is enough for you, I would need 7' myself. I may need to get an Astromania or Telegizmo cover for star parties.

[Butterfly Maiden]

That looks like a great idea and design Chris.

It will be interesting to read your reviews of it once you have put it through its paces.

[chris_g]

Way to go Chris.

If you are setting up on dirt, here's a great idea for super stable and reproducible tripod feet placement. The guy sets up in 3 minutes with no polar alignment needed because of that.

I hope the 6' height is enough for you, I would need 7' myself. I may need to get an Astromania or Telegizmo cover for star parties.

The height should work, my backyard is surrounded by trees and there is little to no wind in it in mild 5-to-10-mile hour wind forecasts. My house is directly to the east, no wind at all from there. My tallest rig, the EQ6-R is about 6.25 feet with the guide scope on top in its current config. I should be able to get it to just over 6'. It's creeped up in height with each trip out to setup and level the tripod. The AZ-EQ5 will be completely inside the tent, no issues there. Placement of both mounts will be challenging and fun. The tent should be here sometime next week. I also ordered anti vibration pads for both mounts, for the wind and to help not tear up the floor.

When I add a yard cannon, I will have to think about how to add something of that height to the observatory. Probably when I start considerations for a permanent building.

[helicon]

Sounds like a great idea. Good luck with the project as it evolves.

[Razz]

I'm also interested in reading your review. I hope it works out for you.

[chris_g]

And the first setback though minor in the overall scheme of things.

I bought the tent on eBay, saved $25, seller didn't ship and isn't communicating, so on to the next seller and a cancellation. This seller has 100% rating, so hopefully they'll ship in time for the tent to get here by the end of the week. I'm going on staycation week after next during the New Moon cycle and I hope to be setup by then.

[jrkirkham]

I'll be looking forward to reading your reviews on it.

I like the idea of creating a stable tripod placement.

[Lady Fraktor]

Hopefully the tent works for you Chris.
A word on the vibration suppression pads, if your setup is over 20-25 lbs in weight they will not really do anything as the soft rubber becomes to compressed between the cup and pad base.

[chris_g]

Hopefully the tent works for you Chris.
A word on the vibration suppression pads, if your setup is over 20-25 lbs in weight they will not really do anything as the soft rubber becomes to compressed between the cup and pad base.

Kind of hard not to go over that weight limit, even on a EQ3 since the mount and tripod usually are close to that already! But I believe you're talking about long term usage, which these would be. I haven't used vibration pads in the past. My primary purpose is to protect the tent floor. I figured they would be a good choice and the anti-vibration features as a bonus. I can also see long term usage hardening the inner core permanently as well. Thank you for the info.

The tent arrives tomorrow, I'm concerned about getting a second rig set up. While the base is 8 feet, the circumference of the opening is 6.5 feet. Placement will be challenging.

Clear Skies,
Chris

[Lady Fraktor]

I have used the VSP for years, they work great for lightweight setups as I mentioned. Though with heavier setups they do squish down quickly.

These work well for heavier mounts and you should be able to purchase them at locations like Walmart.

Rubber sofa leg floor protectors:

[Lady Fraktor]

Have you had a chance to try the tent?

[chris_g]

Have you had a chance to try the tent?

Sorry I missed this. Yes, I have, it went up the 16th and it's been up the entire time with equipment in place. I'm going to sit down this weekend and write it up. Lots of images to go through and perhaps an entertaining video of my putting it up the first time aruond... Should probably be rated MA... I should have a full update on it tomorrow.

[jrkirkham]

I'm looking forward to it.

[chris_g]

Hello all,

Time to start wrap this one up. I've just gone through the video, and I need to reshoot one segment, the rain fly. I hope to have that done tomorrow under some clear skies instead of the cloudy one today. I'm very pleased with the tent. It handles both telescopes with no issues and a small place for a 2'x2' table and chair for a laptop. Seams are solid and strong. I would like to see more Velcro on the tent to match the same amount of Velcro on the rain fly but that is a small detail. It's dry and while not completely bug free, it is for the most part with the rain fly properly in place.

Below are some of the images taken right after rain showers.

This one was taken four days after setup and a moderate rain shower that lasted about an hour. Since it was the first rain, I broke the telescopes down and brought everything in the night before. There was no need. The tent was bone dry except for a small capture of water in one of the doors outside channel. I adjusted it and no issues with the next rain shower.

These taken the 23rd after another rain shower about the same as the first. A couple of tablespoons of water to one side but no where else. I am assuming that was from the rain fly starting to saturate. I believe that rain shower lasted several hours. They also give you an idea how the water is channeled away from the doors. Next investment will be a tarp to cover the telescopes when they are parked to provide an additional layer of protection.

[chris_g]

[Gordon]

It looks like things are getting 'dialed in'. Have you seen any problems with dew collecting on the inside surface?

[chris_g]

It looks like things are getting 'dialed in'. Have you seen any problems with dew collecting on the inside surface?

I think you just explained the two tablespoons of water in the middle of the floor, nowhere near a door, the one time I did find any unexplained water. Collected water by the tripod pads once as well. My yard gets quite dewy starting not much after midnight. I also have a plastic keyboard and plastic collects dew like a magnet. Didn't note any residue on it when I opened up. So, I would have to say no at this point.

Edit:

I wonder though if that isn't from the moist ground underneath, my yard has a quite high water table and we've gotten a lot of rain the last month prior to setup.

[chris_g]

Have you seen any problems with dew collecting on the inside surface?

Edit:

I wonder though if that isn't from the moist ground underneath, my yard has a quite high water table and we've gotten a lot of rain the last month prior to setup.

Same puddle of water different day, same location. It's not the rain fly since it's been rotated at least once. Close up and the seepage is from the moist soil, this is the only location in the tent doing this. Water table must be extremely close to the surface at this point and whatever sealant the manufacturer used must be weak in this one location. As soon as I started walking around in the tent and the material pulled away from the ground, it drained and dried out. I'll be adding a water sealant to all the surfaces. There is no dew on any of the equipment or inner surfaces of the tent.

Planned upgrades, a mat under the tent to protect it from direct contact with the ground and provide a more stable surface for the tripods. Nice option available at Wally World, a 9x12 plastic straw woven indoor outdoor rug for around $50, wont rot and tent stakes can be put through the rug with little to no damage to it.

I reshot the rain fly segment yesterday and will be putting the video together over the next couple of days. I'll be wrapping this one up with some final thoughts and a few recommended upgrades and then start working on Gifnet.US's Obsy first light in a new thread!

Clear Skies,
Chris