Observatory

[Astroboy239]

Hi, I and my friends are planning to build a observatory in the country side. We will be placing a c11 over there. Can you'll suggest a good dome and some stuff which we must keep there. 

[joncrawf]

Hi

Suggest you have a look at the "DIY Observatories" Sub-forum - under "equipment" on home page (scroll way down). Plenty of info there and folks willing to help.

[Putaendo Patrick]

Good advice from Joncrawf. You have a lot of options to design an observatory - domes can be constructed locally or you can buy in a pre-made dome. Materials include wood, metal, plastic and fiberglass etc. and will affect the end price. Size will also depend on whether the observatory will be used by one or two people, or by groups. As you live in India, I would contact local astronomers, perhaps via clubs and societies, to see what works best in your country. Many makers of pre-made domes will ship internationally, but the costs (including import taxes etc) may be substantial!

Regarding "stuff" - you may want a permanent pillar to support your telescope, and this should be set in a very solid base - think of at least one cubic meter of concrete. You may also want electricity - for lights (including dim red lights for night vision), computer, perhaps a small heater and an electric kettle? Will you have access to mains electricity, or need solar panels and battery? What voltages will you need?

What about the weather? Will you need special drainage? And finally, think about security! Good locks, perimeter fence, alarm etc won't always stop thieves but will help to make the target more difficult.

[Astroboy239]

We were looking forward to power it up with 4solar panels which are gonna charge the battery(backup) 

Our main supply will be main electricity

Yes it will be surrounded by an electric fence. Siren. 2cctv cameras the domes will have a locking system 

 

Surrounding the dome there will be a drain and our obs will be 2mtrs above ground

 

 

[Astroboy239]

And yes a meade weather station