Portable astronomical dome construction

[@FlyGuy2000]

Thanks a TON for posting this! I've been tossing around ideas for an EMT octagonal structure to use as a light block in the back yard, and I really like seeing what you did with yours.

[@poly_hexamethyl]

I like your idea for bending the PVC pipes to the correct radius -- the trough of water heated on the stove and the board with the curved form and the nails. Very nice!

[@stereox13]

Really great, without a word you conveyed how to make this! Thank you.

[@Pics2FlicksDennis]

Yeah, not much of a “construction” video, though, is it?

[@vicamaral]

John Dobson would be proud, awesome idea going to build 1 for stray city lights.

[@roymixon]

very cool idea! Cook'n pipe ! love it !

[@Starphot]

This design was originally made to house my scope and get it out of the wind while guiding taking astrophotos in remote places. I found when I was at the laying out the base with the scope mount in the middle, I could offset the base and have room for a cot plus a tub of clothes and cooler for nightstands. That eliminated a purchase of a separate tent. A 12' x 16' heavy duty plastic tarp for rain fly and daytime shade. This entire dome will fit in a large Cabela's duffel bag. The older 7' diam x 6' 6" dome is in that bag. The 8' diam x 7' one I use now will fit in that bag, but is in a buggy with the truss rods for the 18" or weights for the 10", inverter, spare parts and a # 24 Deep cycle battery. This design is wind stable and resembles a yurt used on the windy steppes of Russia. The square base types popular in 1991 with the arch are airplane wings and tend to lift in the wind. Thus this design. This has been setup on snow and on beach sand. From the FL keys to Big Bear, CA.

[@luisfernandodiazdelcastill8251]

Starphot :

[@ManishFrenchStudio]

Wow dear, knowledge video 💖💖💖,🙏 thank you 😊❤️ for sharing 🎁🎁🎁🎁🎉🎉🎉

[@TheBlexican3]

if you sold these as kits pre bent with everything you need i would buy that! i bet other people would too.

[@denispol79]

Cool idea! You can also add pockets at the bottom part of the cover cloth that could hold some weight (like stones or sand) to prevent the wind to blow the whole thing all together.

[@Starphot]

That will age the fabric plus add weight in transport. I instead use 4-6 stakes in the ground and put the bottom lacing in the hooks of those stakes when not in use. A couple of long straight stakes on the windward side and between 2 of the wheels and bottom if used with gusting winds. I imaged in winds as high as 30 KPH.

[@denispol79]

@@Starphot Hi, Yep, that's even better. My astro location in the desert sometimes is very windy. That's the main purpose I'm looking for a dome solutions.

[@mheib9904]

Yep, can’t wait till wife asks what’s for dinner. PVC pipe dear😄

[@DawgcityClev]

If you sold these pre-bent with black heavy duty cover I'd buy it. This is awesome.

[@TheBlexican3]

can we see plans for this build in a link so we can blow it up? thank you so much for sharing! where did you get a tarp to custom fit? and how did the pvc come out of the boiling water in the curved shape without bending it?sorry for all the questions. this design is genius

[@KingLoopie1]

Nice! A big wind and your neighbor will have themselves a nice little observatory in their back yard... 😜 (just kidding! I've been pondering designs to build for myself and this is in the running! Thanks!)

[@jamesodin8751]

Look like bob kearney in one of the photos!!

[@luismamartinez4359]

Fantastic design!!!

[@keeplookingup911]

Wow, DIY observatory 😎🤓 Adding this to my summer "To Do" list

[@patriciaaccettella664]

Where did you get the cover?

[@edmizzimizzi]

Great idea, thanks for sharing. But I'd also like to know where you got the nylon cover, or did you make it yourself? Thanks again, Ed

[@Starphot]

I made the cover myself. The packcloth came from a local fabrics retailer with a good outdoor cloth selection. This storefront no longer exist.

[@181102rkb]

You can go to a boat manufacturer that makes covers for boat and they'll make it specially for you to your specifications

[@sixgun505]

Now I have a project when my wife goes out of town

[@HeyApos]

This is so genious :-) Thanks for sharing this great idea!

[@seriousbassface]

This is awesome!

[@ooeadventures2071]

Was there any difference/benefit from having the wheels on the inside like on your first design rather than on the outside of the frame? I am building something similar out of a camping dome and the fabric hangs on the inside of the current frame. I am wondering if the wheels being on the outside demands more force on them?

[@Starphot]

Inside I can put my foot over a wheel for traction to rotate the dome on bumpy ground when it becomes difficult pushing or pulling the uprights.

[@bobhehmann6666]

Nice! You've inspired me to build something close to this design. What size Sched-40 PVC would you recommend - 1 inch; 1.25 inches...? Something else? Cheers, Bob

[@gregors1422]

Brilliant!

[@geosobservations9496]

Very very cool

[@RaysAstrophotography]

This is an awesome idea. Where in Texas are you from?

[@Starphot]

Not from Texas. Denver, CO. I travel to a lot of places with this dome.

[@RaysAstrophotography]

@@Starphot I love the dome. I am planning to use mainly at home for stray wind. I understand you built it. Do you have spare time to build it if I pay? I can come to Denver to pickup. I live North of Dallas.

[@Starphot]

@@RaysAstrophotography This is meant for portable use and not for a semi permanent arrangement. I put out some cloth samples on my nephews' play-set once and they deteriorated within 8 months for ripstop and a year for packcloth in the weather. High winds are also a concern. I had to take it down once in hurricane force winds. That time the winds were sustained over 75 mph for over 90 minutes and that caused a lot of other damage in camp.

[@RaysAstrophotography]

@@Starphot oh. Okay

[@RaysAstrophotography]

@@Starphot This is a great idea BTW

[@Liofa73]

Great idea.

[@wireworks616]

I tried building observatory with pvc 2 times, they don't hold up. Wood 1x2 work better. You can bend them easier.

[@BrotherAlan]

Wow!

[@McItoshi]

genius !

[@lostindimcarcosa]

WANT!

[@montanausa329]

Silicon gloves

[@svrus9390]

Хорошая идея! Но обязательно найдётся поц, который поставит дизлайк...

[@CONFUCIUS-f2x]

Talk, explain, say something, dont be scared. Unless you are deafmute.