PRODUCT FEATURES
Select from the topics below to read detailed information.
Dome Sizes
HOME-DOME observatories come in diameters of 6 feet and 10 feet. The 6 foot observatory comes in a short model (HD-6S), and a tall version (HD-6T).  The HD6T is a free-standing dome with a 45" high wall (including door) that you will bolt to a deck or concrete pad.  The HD6S or the HD10 is the dome to choose if you build your own walls; these models come with a base ring that you bolt to the top of your wall.

PRO-DOME diameters are 10 feet and 15 feet. The base ring of these models includes a door; matching fiberglass wall rings are available to make a wall of whatever height you need.

ROBO-DOME is our smallest dome, big enough for a small automated telescope but not a person.  It is oval shaped, with a footprint that is approximately 40" by 50".  The dome diameter of rotation  is 40".

Walls
By stacking modular wall rings for the 10' or 15' domes, fiberglass walls of any height can be assembled to match your telescope and pier height.  PD10 and PD15 models include a full height entrance door (using the slot opening as part of the doorway), allowing access without duck-under doors or high walls.

The HD6T has a standard wall which is 45" high, and includes a door.  The ROBO-DOME base is 25" high, but of course you do not get inside this small dome.

Also, you have the alternative of building your own walls for the HD-6S, the HD-10, or any of our dome sizes.  Take a look at the photos on this web site to  see many creative examples of customers' wall designs.

Shutters
Every HOME-DOME, PRO-DOME and ROBO-DOME has a wide slot opening, extending past zenith. On the 6', 10' and 15' domes, two shutters move up-and-over, automatically disengaging during opening to nest together at the rear of the dome when open. This patented design makes the full shutter opening available to the astronomer (and assists in sky orientation for students).  The ROBO-DOME has just one moving shutter.

Shutter width:

Rotation
The dome turns easily on hard rubber, ball bearing rollers (3" diameter) mounted in the top of the base ring.

You can add motors to rotate the dome and move the shutters, and even operate the dome remotely.

Electric motors
Motors for shutter operation and rotation are available for all domes. Motors are optional for the 6' and 10' domes, and included with the PD-15 and the ROBO-DOME. All motors are 12 VDC and can be added at any time to the 6' and 10' domes.  About half of dome owners choose to operate the smaller domes manually.  Remember, if you plan to automate your dome, it must be motorized.

We offer a power supply to convert your electric service (110 or 220 VAC) to 12 VDC 10 amps.

Observatory Automation
We offer two dome automation systems.

Dome-Works is a non-computer, semi-automation system featuring an infra-red device that slaves the dome position to the telescope's position, and provides a read-out of the dome azimuth position. It does not provide shutter control.

Digital Dome Works (DDW) is a computer based automation system which allows you to open and close the shutter, and control the dome azimuth so that it matches the telescope position. While the basic DDW is designed primarily for situations where the control room and the observatory are located no more than 400 feet apart, we offer options that allows you to operate an observatory many  miles away, even across the Internet.  You choose the components you need to fit your situation.

Digital Dome Works includes PC based software that presents all control and operating data to the user.  DDW includes dozens of services for the user, both inside the observatory or at a remote location.  For example,  a "smart" hand control allows the user to in the observatory to turn dome slaving off and on, or return the dome to home with a single button push.  Built-in interlocks automatically close the dome if the communication link is broken, or if you go off and forget to close the dome.  In fact, DDW will even shut off the drive on many telescopes when the dome closes, thus protecting against "wire wrapping". We provide for remote operation of auxiliary equipment and remote voltage measurement.

Digital Dome Works includes dozens of operating features.  Here are a few:

DDW is the automation system supplied with ROBO-DOME.

The DDW control unit in the observatory contains two microprocessors which control the observatory motors, sensors and other devices.  The control unit connects via an RS232 communication line to the controlling computer which runs the DDW Control Program (included with DDW).  The Control Program provides the “human” interface: buttons allow commands to sent to DDW (e.g., OPEN dome), data returned from DDW is displayed (e.g., diagram of dome rotation and shutter positions), and configurations may be set (e.g., set the telescope mount parameters).  Go to our page of Photos/Automation to see a sample of the main computer screen.

If the distance between the observatory and the user is more than a few hundred feet, RS232 is no longer suitable.  Or if multiple users must gain access to the observatory, a different type of communication must be used (e.g., telephone, network, or internet).  In such cases, you will need a computer in the observatory (to run programs and handle communications for all the observatory devices).  You will probably need some of the DDW options as well.  Options include:
 


Weather and temperature control
Weather protection is assured by overlapping flanges and baffling, not seals that will wear out or deteriorate. Temperature control is provided by a brilliant white exterior gel coat that normally keeps inside temperature within a few degrees of the shade temperature, so no cool-down period is required before your observing session begins. A dark blue interior helps preserve dark adaptation.

Dome Assembly
ROBO-DOME  is shipped completely assembled.

All other domes are shipped in large sections and use bolt-together construction. Assembly bolts are stainless steel.  All hardware for assembly is provided, except foundation bolts.  Assembly requires alignment of parts, measuring and drilling bolt holes, and use of common hand and power tools. Larger holes, for rollers and latches, are cut and finished at the factory.  Typically, domes are assembled in place by two or three persons, without cranes or special equipment.  Motors and automation require addition time but no special equipment.  We offer factory pre-assembly as an add-on service.

Check out our photo section for pictures of a 10' dome being assembled.

Patents
Observatory - US Patent # 5,448.860
DomeTrak - US Patent # 5,621,212

Schematic Drawing - Pro-Dome 10'

 

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