FAQ
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get started on my observatory... ?
2. Where can I find a list of your vendors ... ?
3. Why didn't you buy the 10' dome rather than the 6' dome ... ?
4. Who or what is "Littlebear" ... ?
5. What is the point when you live in the Northwest ... ?
6. When is "First Light"... ?

How do I get started on my observatory... ?

First of all - do a lot of surfing on the web for other amateur observatory sites. I looked at pictures of their installations and read their logs if they were available. There are a number of people around the world who have done this before and most seem very willing to help out.

Use the vendor's knowledge. I must have driven my vendors CRAZY with my endless questions...but it is a lot of money to spend without some planning and guidance. 

Decide what it is you want out of your observatory. Is it just someplace to just get out of the cold or a slightly smaller version of Keck? Remember that if you plan your building up front carefully, you can turn a shed into a very nice observatory over time and spread the cost.

Set your budget. I can tell you that the $$$$ went flying when I added this and that to my orders (Gee, did I really need a color wheel if I have never done CCD before?). If you are not careful, you can add many thousands to the cost of your observatory and not realize it until the end.

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Where can I find a list of your vendors ... ?

I am compiling a complete vendor list now - but here is an overview:

TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS  (My guides and gurus)    http://www.homedome.com

• 6 ft. (Short) HOME-DOME (HD-6S)
  Complete six foot diameter HOME-DOME fiberglass observatory for on-structure use. Center height 46 in. Includes dome halves (2), rear cover, shutters (2), dome support ring (2 pieces), 9 in. high base ring with reverse flange (3 pieces), hardware, (stainless steel bolts, etc.), caulk, and instructions for construction and operation.
• Rectangular Skirt (RS-6)
  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.

Pocono Mountain Optics (No web site)

• SBIG ST-237  http://www.sbig.com

Astronomics www.astronomics.com

• ST-237 Color wheel  http://www.sbig.com

ORION  http://www.telescope.com

• Telescopes, eyepieces, finders, and most of my paycheck 

CELESTRON  http://www.celestron.com

• Celestron C-8 (my oldie but goodie)  

Le Sueur Manufacturing Company, Inc. http://www.astropier.com

• Astro Pier 5' (these guys are very helpful!)  

Garden Solutions  http://www.gardensolution.com

• Garden Solutions have built rolling roof observatories - this is their first "dome" 

SkyMap Pro6 by Chris Marriott

TheSky by Software Bisque http://www.bisque.com/

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Why didn't you buy the 10' dome rather than the 6' dome ... ?

The reason is the additional cost of the 10' dome. I really agonized over this for quite awhile. In the end, I decided to construct a building that can take a 10' dome in the future and start with a 6' dome. This left me with about $2500 extra in my budget to buy my CCD system

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Who or what is "Littlebear"?

ahem, it's me. I leave it to your imagination why this is my nickname...hey! That's not the reason!!!

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What is the point when you live in the Northwest ... ?

Hey! How did you know I live in the Northwest?!? Oh, the latitude and longitude on the home page....

Well you're right! it rains and rains and rains....but when it is clear ....it is BEAUTIFUL!

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When is "First Light" ... ?

If weather permits, the first week in June. I plan to have a party and I will take pictures...maybe blackmail will help me pay for this endeavor!!! 

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