Building observatory with dome in southern Sweden

[olawelin]

Hej Ola,

What did it cost just to build the dome part in Svenska kronor?

Is the shape just cut out of Plywood?

Hej,

yes that is a chimney but it has not been a problem yet.

The dome was made of plywood, a had 8 pieces of 12x1200x2400 and 3 pieces of 3x1200x2400 and lots of pieces of ironwork to hold it together, total cost about 3500 sek (~320 £) diameter is 2.4m due to the size of the plywood.

The base of the dome is 3x12mm thick and the rest of the framework is 2x12mm thick, all this is cut out plywood glued together.

[spaceboy]

PROPPER JOB !!!!!

[teleskopjo]

Any further updates to this great dome?

[DannyB]

Oh what a dream  !!! Very nice build Observatory

[olawelin]

Hello!

It is now over 2 years since the observatory was finished and it is working perfectly so far, there have been a few storms but the dome is still there keeping the weather out.

Updates that have been made:

-The Dome is now coated with fiberglass polyester so it is more or less like a boat

-Ventilation has been slightly improved, there is a fan blowing the dry air from downstairs when it gets around 70% relative humidity in the observatory.

Scopes in the observatory is Lunt 80, Celestron 11", WO FLT98, orion guidescope.

No motor drive yet.

Here are som recent pictures:

[teleskopjo]

Well done!! My main concern with a self built dome is sealing around the slit opening against wind driven rain.. you seem to have solved this issue!

[mhard26339]

Wow, an all round impressive set-up.

Regards

Mike

[olawelin]

Well done!! My main concern with a self built dome is sealing around the slit opening against wind driven rain.. you seem to have solved this issue!

Yes, wind driven rain has never been a problem, wind driven snow is another story, gets in everywhere, I have a motorcycle cover over the scopes in winter if any snow gets in.