• 3' Observatories
• 6' Observatories

• 10' Observatories
• 15' Observatories

• Observatory Options

Complete robotic observatory, height 50". Includes fiberglass dome with base and one shutter, all hardware and motors for rotation and shutter movement. Also includes Digital Dome Works hardware and software for computer control of dome. Dome is shipped fully assembled.

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Two-part fiberglass box that can be used under ROBO-DOME instead of a concrete or wood base. The box is 54" x 42" x 3" high. The lid overlaps the bottom part of box and is bolted in place to make a waterproof structure. For weight, fill the box with sand or other heavy material. The lid is reinforced in the spot where your telescope sits. ROBO-DOME will be bolted to this foundation.

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Complete six foot diameter HOME-DOME fiberglass observatory for on-structure use. Includes dome halves (2), rear cover, shutters (2), dome support ring (2 pieces), 9" high base ring with reverse flange (3 pieces), hardware, (stainless steel bolts, etc.), caulk, and instructions for construction and operation. Center height of dome plus base ring is 3' 10".

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Doug Clapp & Walter MacDonald at Doug's HD-6S observatory near Thomasburg, Ontario, Canada.

Doug's dome (9 years old!) perfectly survived a windstorm in 2002 that destroyed a neighbouring home-made fibreglass dome and knocked down several barns in the area!

Other observatories:
Winchester Observatory

Complete six foot diameter HOME-DOME fiberglass observatory for stand-alone use. Includes dome halves (2), rear cover, shutters (2), dome support ring (2 pieces), 45" high wall with reverse flange (3 pieces), molded full height entrance door, hardware, (stainless bolts, etc.), caulk, and instructions. Center height of dome plus wall is 6' 10".

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Increases dome floor area by providing a recess into the dome wall for working with your computer or notes. Size is 30" wide, 16" deep, and 40" high. All fiberglass, molded into wall section of HD-6T. Order 1, 2, or 3 cubbies, and tell us preferred location on wall.

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Four piece fiberglass skirt to make transition between the circular observatory and a flat/sloping roof or building edge. The horizontal flange of the RS-6 fastens under a wall or base ring flange, while a vertical flange attaches to your structure. The skirt slopes downward 4 inches to a 6' 8" square with drip flange.

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Complete ten foot diameter HOME-DOME fiberglass observatory dome for on-structure installation. Includes dome quadrants (4), rear cover, shutters (2), dome support ring (4 pieces), 12" high base ring (4 pieces), and all hardware (stainless steel bolts, etc.), caulk, and instructions for construction and operation. Center height of dome plus base ring is 6 feet.

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Abbey Ridge Observatory near Halifax, Nova Scotia. This backyard observatory is fully motorized and has power & data cables running back to the house for remote operation! The dome houses a C11 on a Losmandy HGM-Titan mount.

ARO Construction Pictures

Complete ten foot diameter PRO-DOME fiberglass observatory designed primarily for stand-alone installations. Includes dome quadrants (4), rear cover, shutters (2), dome support ring (4 pieces), 12" high base ring (6 or 4 pieces, with or without molded semi-door section), locking hardware, special fittings, and all hardware (stainless steel bolts, etc.), caulk, and instructions for construction and operation. Center height of dome plus base ring is 6 feet.

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Ten foot diameter wall ring (6 pieces, 12" high) matches PD-10 base ring. One or more wall rings may be stacked to increase wall height of PD-10. Includes molded semi-door section and hardware.

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Eight piece fiberglass skirt to make transition between the circular observatory and a flat/sloping roof or building edge. The horizontal flange of the RS-10 fastens under a wall or base ring flange, while a vertical flange attaches to your structure. The skirt slopes downward 4 inches to 10' 8" square with drip flange.

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Same as RS-10, except 4 piece skirt ends in circle 10' 8" in diameter with drip flange. Useful for transition to circular buildings, or to keep water away from the foundation.

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Complete fifteen foot diameter PRO-DOME fiberglass observatory designed for institutional, industrial, or group uses or to meet other special observing needs. Includes, dome sections (4), rear cover, shutters (2), dome support ring (4 pieces), 12" high base ring w/reverse flange (7 or 5 pieces, with or without molded semi-door section), locking hardware, special fittings, and all hardware (stainless steel bolts, etc.), caulk, and instructions for construction and operation. Also includes PD-15 electric shutter and dome rotation drives, with power supply. Center height of dome plus base ring is 8' 6".

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Nutwood Observatory near Bancroft, Ontario features a 20" SCT and is operated both remotely and via Internet.

Nutwood Observatory

Fifteen foot diameter wall ring (7 pieces, 12" high) matches PD-15 base ring. One or more wall rings may be stacked to increase wall height of PD-15. Includes molded semi-door section and hardware.

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Five piece skirt, ends in circle 15' 8" with drip flange. Useful for transition to circular buildings, or to keep water away from the foundation.

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When your observatory and control room are located close together (up to 400 feet), use the basic DDW for computer remote control of your observatory. You may operate DDW using direct wiring (RS232) or via a computer in the observatory. If you want to operate very long distance (eg., via phone lines or the Internet), you will probably need at least some of the DDW options listed below to assure safe operation.

System components: Control module with power relays, hand control, LX200 Adapter Box, azimuth and shutter sensors, software for observatory operations (Windows '95 and ACP), all cables and hardware.

Requires electric dome drive ED-6/ED-10 and electric shutter ES-6/ES-10.

Note that DDW is designed to operate all Technical Innovations observatories. Observatory must be motorized (puchase motors separately if not included in dome purchase price.) Optional hardware is available for control of domes not manufactured by Technical Innovations, Inc.

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For long distance remote control, or for multiple-user access, additional information and protection are available with the Weather Monitor system. Measures wind direction, wind speed, temperature, humidity, wetness (rain), and snow. The system can prevent the dome from opening, or close it if the weather exceeds interlock settings.

The Weather Monitor is available in two forms:

• Direct Link - (WMDL) Instruments and sensor electronics mount on a user supplied post, and connect directly to the DDW unit in the observatory. This is less expensive, but may be somewhat difficult to install and protect.
• Wireless Link - (WMWL) Instruments and sensor electronics mount on the rotating dome itself, and connect via a wireless link to the DDW unit in the observatory. DDW control software automatically subtracts the dome azimuth from the wind direction measurements.

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This module, which connects to one of the user control lines on the DDW in the observatory, has two 120VAC power outlets, one wired normally on, the second wired normally off. Using the DDW control program, the user may switch the outlets off/on. This is useful in controlling remote heaters and dew zappers, remote interior video monitors, or the scope and CCD itself.

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In remote operations, it is often desirable to be able to see the interior of the observatory. This allows you to verify observatory operation, scope movements, and whether cables are properly managed. The VMC includes a small B&W wide angle camera (with sound), a light source, and a stand. If the user is close to the observatory, you can use the video camera with any small TV to monitor the image. If you are at long distance, install a frame grabber card (optional) in your in-dome computer. Although VMC can operate continuously from 120VAC, we suggest adding a Remote Power Module to allow turning the camera/light on and off, as needed.

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