[Atmob-discuss] Update on Observatories discussion

[Neil Fleming]

We did have our con call the other night, but most
folks could not make it.  (I should have sent out a
reminder earlier).

I'd like to try one more time, say on Monday or
Tuesday night next week.  

In the meantime, here are some of the findings that we
have dug up:

I looked at products from:
 - Pier Tech
 - Backyard Observatories
 - Sky Shed
 - Astrohaven

Here are some of the thoughts:
Pier Tech:  Aluminum rolloff roof construction, a
little on the pricey side.  Observatory costs would
range from $8,000 for a small, 7x7' unit, to $16K for
a 10x10', "fully loaded".

Backyard Observatories:  Wooden rolloff roof
construction, somewhat better cost.  Prices would
range from $3,500 9'6" square unit on a slab, plus
about $3-4000 for the automation gear, to $8,600 for a
16'x24' "club" model, plus the automation gear.  I
figure the club model size could hold up to 6 setups. 
Alternate or custom sizes are available.

Sky Sheds:  Based in Canada, Wayne is not really in a
position to come down here to build, but does sell
plans and provide advice.  We would have to find a
local contractor whom we trust.

Astrohaven: Makes a "clamshell" design.  The advantage
of this is the safety for those of us with long
refractors.  In a rolloff roof design, one would need
a dead-man switch to ensure that the scope is properly
parked before the roof could close.  The clamshell
design is much safer in this area.  The person there
is on holiday until the 31st, so I do not as yet have
costs, but I figure they are not cheap.

Traditional dome designs require complicated
"synching" of the scope/mount and the rotation of the
dome, and for this reason, are not as popular as the
approaches above.

One other interesting thought/approach:  This would be
for one or more of us to put gear down in New Mexico. 
The advantages of this are that the seeing is better,
the skies are darker, and there is at least one person
on-site to respond to emergencies.  The disadvantage
of this is the monthly costs.  We could, say, put my
scope/gear down there, and divvy up the monthly costs
between 4 people.  This approach has merits. 
Depending on the setup, the overall costs would be
~$800 per month all told, with a 2-year committment.

Anyhow, these are my initial findings.  Let me know if
you are interested in joining a chat next week, and
whether Monday or Tuesday works for you.

   Regards...Neil

www.flemingastrophotography.com 
  Direct from Boston - brilliant diamonds in pea soup
  Also check out the astro_narrowband Yahoo group!