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[fellrider]

While I'm building a wholey unremarkable observatory with my Explora-Dome, I thought I'd add it to the AstroSkies collection.

The dome was delivered around 5pm 10/25, 12 hours ahead of schedule to try to beat a snow storm. This was the scene the next day:



I had been wondering how I was going to move the dome the 200 yards from where John dropped it off to its permanent site by myself, but watching my daughter slide in her plastic sled across the snow solved that problem...



I used 2x6s for the frame and flooring joists. There are 4x4 posts into concrete on the corners and the center of each side.



I used 3/4" OSB for the floor. Don't look close enough at the picture to notice the "this side down" labels I didn't see until after installing... :oops:



How high do the walls need to be to make the observatory reasonably comfortable for a 48" long, 10" diameter newtonian 'scope on a GEM mount? Damned it I know, so I decided to just test out a couple different heights. I can also say I watched Mercury transit across the Sun in my new observatory now :wink:

-Bruce
Black Forest, Colorado

[fellrider]

Nice looking scope, Fell!
Even better looking observatory!
You ought to consider Wilcox rings for your scope, it'll make eyepiece position troubles a thing of the past.
Rich

Someday! They definately would help. Do you have the GOTO version, and if so do the rings effect the GOTO accuracy?