Building the "OctaDome"-Part 1

[AstroTasmania]

Building The "OctaDome"-Base Part 1

Hi Radar,

In answer to your question on another post, the answer is Yes. It is my own design for a purpose. I want to be able to take fisheye sky views, which means having a "Dome" roof that opens to give me a 180-degree view down to the horizon. Yet when doing ordinary work I only want a small section open, hence the 8 petal design where I can open either a single petal, two or three or all of them.

Here are some progress pics.

The base is being constructed over a vehicle service pit which is located between two driveways and I no longer need it. It is an odd shape. nothing is square or level so I have built a solid base which can be easily leveled. I have then made an octagon and inserted that into the square frame. All treated timber sleepers 200 x 75 and 100 x 100 square treated pine. A few week-ends of work to get to this stage. The timber frames (8) are made ready to assemble on the octagonal base section.

Entry is through the pergola with a locked door of course.

The pier is all stainless pipe, 11" dia with a 15mm stainless plate on top on which is the stainless pipe to hold the scope pier with the Alhena GEM.

Clear skies...

[Radar]

Sounds awesome Shev, See images above.

[hpcoolahan]

Starting to take shape Shevill.:thumbsupmate:
I'm interested to see how you will seal the pettals for the roof.:hmm:

best of luck and keep us all posted


Patrick Coolahan
Yamba

[Phil.H]

Hay Rader
If your looking for a pier do what i did i went to the tip and picked up am old gal lighting pole. Cut it to the right height made it stronger then went to a second hand metal place got a piece of 10mm plate steel welded the plate to the pole and made a pier. The hole pier coat $3
I will take some photos tomorrow if you want and post then for you. Astro it looks like your well on the way. Looks great.
Phil

[Draig]

Hi Shevill,

When do you plan to have it finished? I,m just asking so I can pencil in your planned Astrodome Party and make sure I'm there.

You are having one aren't you?

Cheers Colin

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Colin,

The frames went up yesterday, I had my mate come over to help me again in between him building two - 3-bed units on his own and working full time at the paper mill.

Opening date, should have been a long time ago!! High on my priority list but not on the domestic list!!

Here are some images of the octagonal base construction and it installed in the base, which is now level and in the right position ready fro the frames.

Clear skies...

[Draig]

Opening date, should have been a long time ago!! High on my priority list but not on the domestic list!!


Hi Shevill,

It's a nusance when the "domestic" list insists upon priority isn't

Cheers Colin

[AstroTasmania]

Hi All,

Given our winter weather, this is not the time of year to be outside trying to fit an intricate roof to an octagonal observatory, however, I have made some progress with the height adjustable pier - as per attched images.

I have to attached the stainless plate to the top of each angle iron end and retain the abilitty to be able to adjust the threaded rods for fit in the pipe. I have come up with a design to acheive this so I can progress a bit more under cover.

Clear skies...

[Radar]

That is coming along well Shev. Be awesome once it's up and running. Not sure what the biggest aperture scope is you have, but it'll certainly make mounting those large scopes easy.

What mount is going on top of it?

Ray