The Dome

The dome of the Goose Valley Observatory is a 10-foot Pro-Dome from Technical Innovations. With 2 wall rings, it is almost 8 feet tall. It was built with two concrete pads. The telescope rests on the interior pad, 4-foot square, and is isolated from the exterior octagonal pad by a few inches, reducing vibrations during imaging.

The Telescope

The telescope is a 12-inch Meade LX-200. The CCD is a Starlight Express HX516. A Sony Vaio 200MMX does all the computing with the help of SkyMap Pro 4.0.

New for February 2000! Just acquired Tele Vue 85mm refractor. Finally I have a nice portable telescope! Bought it from Pocono Mountain Optics.

Construction took place during January of 1999. Click on any of the images below to see the progress of the Dome's construction. Descriptions are below. The Dome was constructed by myself, my step-dad Charles, his son Charlie, and my brother Matt, with a little help from Father Larry and Father Tom. All-in-all a great experience. A full three-day project.

Descriptions:

1. The Dome arrived in a rather large box!

2. The foundation consists of a four-foot square base for the telescope separated from the main foundation by a few inches. In theory, this should reduce vibrations. The observer can walk on the main foundation during an exposure without disrupting the imaging.

3. The first of three rings is completed. Each ring is one foot, so the total height of the dome is about eight feet.

4. The second ring. It was very important to maintain a constant radius.

5. The third ring. Amazingly, we finished the base rings with an almost perfect circumfrence.

6. A shot of the interior. Added later were carpeting, red lights, a dehumidifier, storage space, and a mobile computer platform and storage bin.

7. Construction of the dome halves.

8. Charles, my step-dad, completes the dome shutter.

9. Ready to roll! Finishing consisted of silicone calk on the seams. The dome is fairly watertight.

10. The proud owner, me.

11. Looking from the herb garden out on Goose Valley. The Appalachian trail is not far to the south.

12. Looking from the field back to the house.

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