Observatories


Bubble Dome

The team decided to bring the 16" Mead LX200 online quickly in order to pursue extrasolar planet transit timing variations. To that end, we needed an inexpensive but reliable and waterproof dome enclosure. Since we would not be doing eyepiece observing, it was not necessary to allow for easy access to people. Another consideration was getting the telescope above ground level to improve the seeing.

After careful consideration of all the options, it was decided that a bubble dome would offer the least expensive option for a fully enclosed rotating dome. The dome itself is made from a 500 gallon plastic water tank that can be purchased for around 600 dollars. See pics bellow. The tank is inverted and mounted on a lazy susan bearing so it will rotate 360 degrees. There are two independently anchored pillars one inside the other. The inner most pillar mounts the telescope and keeps it free of vibrations from the dome movement. The external pillar mounts the bubble dome assembly and rotation mechanisms.

This prototype offers the possibility of cheap domes for the growing numbers of fully automated small scopes.

See our Bubble Dome Construction page!

 

 

The tank has arrived and the foundation work is in progress.