With the length of time that I’ve spent in design and development of this observatory, I can’t quite recall which things have been clearly stated on the blog, and which exist only in some other form (notebooks, SketchUp, Evernote, email, Google Docs, … the list goes on). In any case, Observatory 2.0 will be topped by a dome, rather than a roll-off roof, and in particular, just about a year ago, I took delivery of a HomeDome HD-10 from Technical Innovations. I had measured Trixie’s swing requirements, and decided that she will fit under a 10′ dome. The fiberglass dome showed up, somewhat the worse for wear (good thing fiberglass is easy to repair), in a huge freight shipping box, in March 2014.
Since then, there have been large parts made of fiberglass piled carefully around the workshop; a promise to myself that the observatory would, in fact, get done.
In order to make sure that the dome is ready to install, and to get some measurements off of it, I decided to put the dome together today. After clearing out enough room in the shop, and taping the bottom of the base ring to protect it from the concrete floor, Jared and I got started.
As the build progressed, I thanked myself over and over again for getting the pre-assembly done; so many of the drill points would have driven me nuts, trying to mate up edges but maintaining circularity, etc.
I had a rant prepared to put here; I’m not overly happy with the experience I’ve had working with the dome manufacturer, and the fit and finish of the dome is really not excellent. In the final analysis, however, I have to just shrug it off; if I had it to do again, I would buy another HD-10, because like everything else in amateur astronomy, it’s really great that I can get fairly high-quality gear, and there’s no real alternative, because who else makes 10′ astronomy domes? I choose to enjoy my new gear and not dwell on it.
In the end, putting the dome together took about three hours, and at times having a third person to help was useful.
Once we got it all bolted together, we checked the rotation and the shutter operation. Both seem pretty smooth.
The dome will live in the shop until the shed is built, at which point it will be at least partially dismantled for final installation.
The observatory feels even closer. Check another item off the todo list!
I think the neighbors are going to be jealous when this is all finished!
No need for jealousy; they can come over for a visit any clear night… I am enjoying that I am not in an HOA, though. Nor within the city limits. 🙂