The Dome
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The LNSO 10ft Automatic Dome
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1. 10ft AUTOMATIC DOME
PRO-DOME diameters are 10 feet. The base ring of these models includes a door; matching fiberglass wall rings are available to make a wall of suitable height.
All other domes are shipped in large sections and use bolt-together construction. Assembly bolts are stainless steel. All hardware for assembly is provided, except foundation bolts. Assembly requires alignment of parts, measuring and drilling bolt holes, and use of common hand and power tools. Larger holes, for rollers and latches, are cut and finished at the factory. Typically, domes are assembled in place by two or three persons, without cranes or special equipment. Motors and automation require addition time but no special equipment. We offer factory pre-assembly as an add-on service.
Observatory Automation
Digital Dome Works (DDW) is a computer based automation system which allows you to open and close the shutter, and control the dome azimuth so that it matches the telescope position. While the basic DDW is designed primarily for situations where the control room and the observatory are located no more than 400 feet apart, we offer options that allows you to operate an observatory many miles away, even across the Internet. You choose the components you need to fit your situation.
Digital Dome Works includes PC based software that presents all control and operating data to the user. DDW includes dozens of services for the user, both inside the observatory or at a remote location. For example, a "smart" hand control allows the user to in the observatory to turn dome slaving off and on, or return the dome to home with a single button push. Built-in interlocks automatically close the dome if the communication link is broken, or if you go off and forget to close the dome. In fact, DDW will even shut off the drive on many telescopes when the dome closes, thus protecting against "wire wrapping". We provide for remote operation of auxiliary equipment and remote voltage measurement.
Digital Dome Works includes dozens of operating features. Here are a few features:
- Remote dome rotation, you choose azimuth or slave dome to telescope
- Remote shutter operation (in home position only)
- Automatic dome closing in case communication is lost
- Feedback on status of interlocks, shutter position, dome azimuth position
- Automatic motor shut-down if rotation motor slips
- Session duration interlock provides automatic closure
- Smart hand control provides basic rotation and shutter functions, plus easy shortcuts (go home, open/close, slave on/off, etc.)
- Ability to slave dome to scope (LX200) even without using computer
- User adjustable dead zones (sets how closely dome moves to match scope)
- Software adjusts for off center scopes and German Equatorials
- Automatic park functions (for LX200) when dome closes
- Two channels of user remote control built-in
- Two channels of user remote voltage measurement (ADCs) built in
- DDW drives 12V observatory motors directly, with adjustable ramp up and operating speeds
- Easy add-on of options and upgrades at any time
- Windows-based dome control program (included) can be used with with your choice of software for telescope/CCD control
- Open software architecture allows you to write your own control programs, if desired. (Taking advantage of this feature, some of our Mac and Linux customers are writing their own control programs.)
- Includes basic LX200 scope control software (Astronomers Control Panel)
- ASCOM compatible. (ASCOM is a new set of guidelines for easy script control of your equipment and software.)
DDW is the automation system supplied with ROBO-DOME.
The DDW control unit in the observatory contains two microprocessors which control the observatory motors, sensors and other devices. The control unit connects via an RS232 communication line to the controlling computer which runs the DDW Control Program (included with DDW). The Control Program provides the “human” interface: buttons allow commands to sent to DDW (e.g., OPEN dome), data returned from DDW is displayed (e.g., diagram of dome rotation and shutter positions), and configurations may be set (e.g., set the telescope mount parameters). Go to our page of Photos/Automation to see a sample of the main computer screen.
If the distance between the observatory and the user is more than a few hundred feet, RS232 is no longer suitable. Or if multiple users must gain access to the observatory, a different type of communication must be used (e.g., telephone, network, or internet). In such cases, you will need a computer in the observatory (to run programs and handle communications for all the observatory devices). You will probably need some of the DDW options as well. Options include:
- User Input/Output Adapter to allow convenient use of DDW I/O services
- Video Monitor to allow remote observation of the interior of the observatory
- TheSky®V6 software to provide telescope control and support observatory slaving to the scope
- ARPC software to allow remote operation of an In-Dome computer
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Schematic Drawing - Pro-Dome 10' (Tech. Innovation) |
This dome act as main shelter for all LNSO telescopes.
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