Al Bustan 
Observatory

 

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Observatory Design
Construction-Base
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  Design

 

I bought the book "More Small Astronomical Observatories", edited by Patrick Moore, and spent some time in the internet learning from the experience of other amateur astronomers.

The choice between a dome type observatory and a roll-off roof one seemed obvious to me. The dome observatory provides a better shelter against the wind and humidity and that was one of my main objectives since I live in a quite windy and humid area.

After a long consideration and always aiming for a cost effective and functional solution, I decided to base the design on standard sizes of plywood arcs cut out from plywood sheets.

I started the detailed design of the observatory in Autocad.

                 

After several essays, checking and re-checking the scope dimensions and its accessories (guidescope, dew shield, pier) I intended to use inside the observatory and after checking for local availability of the necessary parts, I decided to apply the following dimensions:

Base:

  • diameter: 2350 mm

  • height:    1500 mm

Dome:

  • diameter: 2400 mm

  • height:    1100 mm

The 50 mm gap between the base and dome diameters was necessary to allow for the installation of a wheather skirt to seal the area between the dome and the base.

 

     

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This site was last updated 2019-02-18                                                                                                  Site created and maintained by Jorge Lázaro