The roof of the observatory
is sheathed with 3/4" plywood. An additional two layers of 3/4" plywood
rings form a platform upon which the dome wheels are attached. A vertical
band of 3.5" high galvanized sheet metal is the barrier that prevents water
from getting past the outside skirting of the dome. The black band on top
the sheet metal in this image is neoprene rubber. It sealed the observatory
too well and caused rusting and condensation during Arizona's Monsoon season.
After two years it broke down on its own and I never replaced it. The flow
of air is better because it keeps things dryer. It lets more dust in but
that is not a big problem. Speaking of problems, one problem, but not too
big, are these big fat ugly and hairy spiders that perch on top or the
sides of things. The top of the roof, as shown in the image, is covered
with 26 gauge sheet metal, and the base ring to which the dome wheels are
attached is also covered with 26 gauge sheet metal.
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Weather proofing the
bend in the drop down shutter. The rope is used to lower and close the
shutter. The hinges for the shutter had to be made, i.e., I could not go
to a hardware store and buy them. Nearly everything for the dome was not
standard equipment and had to be made by me.
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The back of the dome showing the springs that help cushion lowering the roll over shutter.
The double pulley system for opening and closing the roll over shutter.
