The 3m Metal semi-sphere is manufactured from laser cut panels of either 0.9mm stainless steel or 0.9mm zincalume and held together with stainless steel nuts and bolts. It is designed to be placed on to a building. There is the option to have a drop down shutter instead of a door.
It has the advantage of not needing heavy lifting to erect and is flat packed for cheaper delivery and shipping.
The semi-sphere comes with a motorised shutter and azimuth rotation. The shutter motor is a 12DC powered by a deep cycle solar charged 12V battery to eliminate expensive electrical slip-rings. The Azimuth drive can utilise 12dc, 220-240v or 110v motors depending on customer's requirements. The dome rolls on nylon or urethane wheels for smooth quiet operation and a rack and pinion set up is used is engineered for reliability and free of maintenance.The rack and pinion always for accurate encoding of position if automation is added. Each motor is controlled with a control box that uses a soft start feature to eliminate the wear from jarring or the customer has the option have the dome automated.
Automation
A customer can choose to automate the semi-sphere themselves using a system of their choice. Or Astrodomes can install a Maxidome system to control the rotation only or also the shutter which allows full remote viewing. The dome can be slaved to the telescope allowing the dome to follow the telescope without the astronomer having to touch the controls.
Shipping and Installation
It designed to be flat packed to drastically reduce shipping rates and can be easily assembled without the need for special tools.
Plans and Dimensions
Inclusion of small door
Drop down shutter. Placed on rails to allow roll off roof viewing.
