[Atmob-discuss] Update on Observatories discussion

[Paul A. Valleli]

---- Original message ----

  Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2008 08:26:34 -0700 (PDT)
  From: Neil Fleming <neilfleming at yahoo.com>
  Subject: [Atmob-discuss] Update on Observatories
  discussion
  To: ATMoB <atmob-discuss at atmob.org>
  >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!
  >
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  >Atmob-discuss at atmob.org
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