Pardee Lake Obervatory

[AlanP]

I went with the ExploraDome package three years ago. Our land slopes down to a swampy area, which would provide for sky access from roughly South through West to North. The drop means that I either set up in a hole or set it on a deck raised about 22 feet. Additionally, the ground was going to be peat with a heat water table, so bracing and structure was going to be needed.

A walk ramp from the walkout basement was built to a 10x16 decking. A second staircase was added to also help limit motion and twist.

An EploraDome is a pretty simple package. Two L-section large plastic rings a re separated vertically by metal siding, the same stuff that Home Depot and Lowe's sells for use a roofing for outbuildings. Inline Roller Skate Wheels mount in two directions in the upper L-Ring, and the Dome/Shutter assembly is set on the rollers. The second set of rollers controls radially the skirt on the Dome/Shutter assembly. The is a metal door inserted into the aluminum area spreading the two L-shaped rings. And in my case, I ordered +6" of height to the sidewalls to hopefully ease transition in and out of the Dome.
I found a Boat Bumper, intended to mount on the 90 degree corner of a dock, that fits the inner threshold of the Door Frame. It helps protect the head from pain when you stand up to quickly entering the Dome. It works, I have tested it many times.

I added an insulation wall. Some decent quality 1x2s, 1" thick styrofoam insulation panels and, I picked a rust red roofing panel that Lowe's sells for the wall. Installation is quick and simple. I did that part of the project myself. Upside is the inner wall doesn't frost or feel real cold, but the inner metal also eliminates sound dampening. So it does echo in the Dome, and sound can hit the two ears out of synch at times.

I wanted to protect the Dome from insects and cold coming up through the decking. And some weigh added in the Dome would dampen vibration from movements. Additionally, added a lift to the floor in the Dome would make transition in and out easier, as you would no longer be stepping over the threshold, but instead, onto a floor level with the threshold.

I used three layers of .09 thick Goodyear rubber roofing material as a base. 3" of Filtered play sand was then laid over the rubber. Two electric radiant heat mats were placed on the sand and cover 90% on the inner area of the Dome. Finally plain flat 2-1/2" thick paver stones capped the floor.

I plugged the mats in from late Fall to early Spring. They heat soak the sand and paver stones. They don't get hot to the touch during that part of the year, but the floor never feels cold, even in sub zero temps.

The weight of the flooring works very nicely. I can move carefully about in the Dome without the Guider Chart showing my movements. The addition of some low wattage heaters complete a package that helps keep the inner temps about 12 to 15F above the ambient external temperatures. The vertical walls do no leak any drafts and the Shuttere limits/controls most winter winds.

Hound Heater is a ceramic low wattage Heater designed to keep your best friend warm. It has a built in control thermostat, does not gets too hot to touch in operation and can be mounted on the inner wall of the Dome, freeing up valuable floor space. I have two units mounted and set at 30F to automatically help protect the Equipment from possible cold temperature damage.

I have added wireless as well as HomePlug AV, to allow TightVNC of the two Dome Laptops from inside the house. A local craftsman built a design with two shelf hutch. The rear of the desk is arced to match the inner wall of the Dome, so it can be shoved up tight to the wall. The top of the Hutch has walls, so Eyepieces, Len Covers and such can be safely placed on top. The two shelves are for two Laptops, as I will often image with two cameras at a time.

I found some rack style switch panels intended for Music DJs to control their equipment. The panels provide red lit individual switches with a main push to reset circuit breaker. A really nice feature to have in the dark.

The wife added two sets of red led Christmas lights mounted inside the upper L-shaped ring. Again adding enough light when needed.

If I missed anything, was unclear or you want more information about some item, please don't hesitate to ask.

Did I mention that I love my Dome? Start up and shout down are fast. I don't talk myself into skipping iffy nights anymore, as I can always acomplish some busy work, if the skies turn ugly. The wife calls it my Man Cave...
Is that complimentary? I hope it is... AlanP

[ghswen]

Very nice setup!

Do you ever go into the house any more?

[AlanP]

Only when she allows me to come into the house. Actually I take a Walkie-Talkie out there to stay in touch. And it has a built in flash light that limits stumbling in the dark too!

[joeychitwood]

WOW! That's an amazing observatory. The decking and wlakway alone are incredible. Congratulations.

[Canon Pete]

Now thats dedication ! Well done .

Clear Skies

Pete

[deaman49]

What a great Astronomy Cave! Great job!

Lee

[Bob327]

AlanP:

Greetings from another extremely happy and well satisfied owner of an Exploradome Observatory... I have got to say that the decking walkways and the entire Observatory RATES a 12 on a scale of 1 to 10... just plain over the top and then some...

Mine(see Avatar) is one of the first 2 dozen every shipped and has now gone thru 5 full winters and is in its 5th full summer of usage... and I have yet to have a single problem with it at all... and this one being one of the first did not come with the newer adjustable wheels nor the pre made rotation ring etc.. nor is it black lined ...

I gotta ask...where do you live... ???

I have NO NEED for heaters ... I have NO NEED for insulation.. here in Maryland.. Interior temps stay within 2-3 degrees of Ambient temps years round and COLD is NOT of any concern at all...HEAT on the other hand can be a problem and for that reason in July and August I do run a a simple box fan exhausting heat as I want to keep the interior temps below 105 degrees and we do gat a few 100 plus degree temps in the dog days of summer here in Maryland...the 20 dollar box fan does the job

5 years and no weather or temp problems...

I'm now 67 and my old body can't bend or stoop over to get inside a low doorway BUT my Observatory sits on a free standing deck that is only 8 foot off the ground and I enter it thru a trap door in the floor... Originally had to climb up a built in ladder but due to medical problems with my legs I installed a 110 V power winch and made my own elevator so I now ride up and down with the press of a button....no bending over LOL

Like I said ...I am not worried about the cold weather affecting my equipment BUT I sure do not enjoy observing when the temp is well below freezing.. my solution was to invest in some Gerbring Heated Motorcycle clothing...(just full sleeved jacket liner, glove liners, and socks ) the keep be comfortable down to zero without any problem but I honestly do not go out if the temp is below 10 degrees F...rather read a book when its that cold...

BTW... I run a 11 inch SCT and because of my not needing a door I only made my walls 3 foot tall and I used a 10x10 base building which I choose because of all the extra room along the walls for storage and not a square inch of the onder the dome area has anything under foot...

I do run a dehumidified in the spring thru fall inside...because it gets humid here in Maryland...

Congratulations on one heck of a nice observatory... PLUS it honestly as I said Rates a 12 on a scale of 1-10 on how it looks... BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!

Bob G.

[jimgrimm]

Very Very Very Nice! Great job on the complete site up. Now thats style.

[Dublin sky watch]

The decking structure is real good.
A costly little project I would say. Do you have a mozzie problem being so close to a swamp Alan?
Very nice job.

[AlanP]

@Bob327, the heart of the mitten portion of Michigan. About 50 miles east of Lansing. Due to the topography, we tend to have smaller snowfalls locally and avoid many storms completely. The lowest temp that I am aware of was a reading of -6F outside. Temp in the Dome during operation was 12F. Uncomfortable, but it can be done. The Laptop can start to complain and the AP Mount can slow during some slews... Note: the Refractors have yet to frost. I run dewstraps, but I am not sure they can be well placed on refractors due to the lens shield position.

@Dublin. The mosquito is the official State bird of Michigan. And this site has it's share.
I run tow small fans to keep the air moving and have been burning a smudge pot outside the Dome on the deck. I will try (2) styles of mosquito electronic devices along with a mosquito trap device this year. [BTW, orange cones are the official tree of Michigan.]

For most nights, it has been limited to about 8 to 12 to deal with. And they head to the red lit Laptop screens first. Son there is a chance to kill them along the way.

The other change in plan, is I don't open the shutter until after it is completely dark. That tends to help limit to volume bouncing around searching. But it also works against Drift Alignment and focusing time prior to imaging window. I loose some imaging time as a result. But the we had many more clear nights last summer. This Winter was terrible for imaging here. AlanP