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| The new tent observatory houses telescopes as large as a Celestron C14 Edge HD with a massive CGX/L mounting and tripod. During days and nights, can be lifted up and off the telescope during observing or the telescope can aim out the large roll-up zippered door. Photo shows the large size with a 150 x 150 cm base and rose red color. The author is using the slightly thicker 190T blue synthetic polyester 120 x 120 cm base which comfortably fits on a tiled floor of a high rise balcony befit with a balustrade. Tie down straps are routed to the steel balustrade and piping. |
New Tent Observatory
testing a new portable tent observatory for telescopes
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| During the heat of the day, the roof opens up with semi-circular window to release heat. At night, it helps to reach telescope thermal equilibrium faster. |
Part of an ongoing expansion to the Singularity Observatory division of SPACE1 is a new tent observatory.
Sold at camping and sporting goods stores, the Singularity Observatory Tent Observatory SOTO is portable, opening up into a full observatory from a simple flexible folding steel pole that folds down after use.
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| About 5lbs, the portable tent observatory has a flexible steel rod than folds up into a circle that may fit under the arm. |
Capacity
The tent holds or covers one telescope as measured for a full size Celestron C14-inch Edge HD OTA, which is 31-inches long, with a massive CGX/L equatorial mount and the largest Celestron tripod offered for this OTA. An even better fit is the Celestron 9.25-inch Edge HD with a 22-inch long OTA or other SCT. Remember to measure the mount counterweight when calculating size fit.
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| Remember to order the tent with the higher door, like the two shown on the left. This will allow the telescope to reach higher elevations when observing from inside the tent. |
The tent is waterproof and has UV inhibitors for resistance to the sun. The tent is available in two sizes, small 120 x 120 x 190 and large 150 x 150 x 190 cm and is offered with different colors (camouflage, army green, orange, red, rose red, sapphire blue, luxury gold). The interior has a pouch which can be used like a small shelf for small lightweight telescope accessories. A strap near the top is ideal for hanging items, in particular a long flat lightweight poly pockets unit could be purchased extra and hold astro accessories.
Ordering
Originating from a camping sports company in Shanghai, China, the best part is the price - available for as low as US $16 online from AliExpress in China (before shipping). I had mine net ordered and couriered to a location in Shanghai, then hand delivered to me. Shipments to the USA could incur freight charges as high as $150 so shop around for a good carrier.
Construction
Made of 190T synthetic polyester, the weight is only 2.1 to 2.5 kgs (4.6 to 5.5 lbs) and one hand can move and position it. It has sewn in loops for attaching clips that can lead to tie down ropes, and a zippered door and windows. I prefer to use metal luggage clips for rapidly tying down and releasing the tent. Check with catalog listings as some tent colors are made from thicker weight material, such as blue sapphire. The large door opening can roll up and fasten with straps.
Applications
For use, the entire lightweight tent easily lifts up and off of the telescope as the bottom of the tent is open. After an observing session, just set the tent over the telescope and clip it down. The tent is lightweight and ideal for use on a deck. Depending on weather conditions, keeping it over the telescope is also a solution that could last several months. At the low $16 cost of the tent, it could easily be replaced every season.
Quick Covering
One use is as a telescope covering during a fast rain. Just quickly set the fully set up tent observatory over the telescope for protection.
Maintains Polar Alignment
Another use is to keep the telescope outdoors and covered after its aligned to the pole and star calibrated for precision GOTO.
Remote Imaging
The tent observatory polyester covering is transparent to WiFi signals so its ideal for remote imaging.
Good for Breaks
It also helps when using a telescope setup and you want to take a break at 4 am but don't want the telescope exposed to the weather. The tent is very handy to protect the setup throughout the night, when going inside for a quick nap, pause, cup of coffee, or intermittent breaks from observing.
Ideal for High Rise Balcony
A balcony may have a weight limit, as it hangs over the side of the building. After the weight of the telescope, a very light weight observatory covering is useful and necessary The light weight of only 5 lbs makes it ideal for setup on a highrise balcony and does not add any appreciable weight.
Observing from Inside the Observatory
Of course, if the object observed is visible through the opening, the tent observatory can provide a good sheltered place shielded from lights and wind.
Astro Imaging
It can also offer a suitable solution for astro imaging and remote control. It can make more nights usable for imaging by protecting against a strong breeze.
Daytime Shield
During the day, it will shield the telescope from the hot direct sunlight. The tent observatory will shield against sun, rain, wind, dust, lights and birds.
High Wind
For those rare high wind events, typhoon or hurricanes, just fold the tent and bring it indoors with the telescope.
Observatory Door
The large zippered front door can be used like the bi-parting shutter doors on an observatory dome. It can partially open by folding over to one side the desired amount - good for stopping a wind or breeze. The door does not reach the zenith overhead, but this is ok on a deck with a partial roof. As the telescope is set closest to the front door, it has the largest viewpoint.
No Construction
No need to build this observatory - it comes ready to pop open instantly and assume its natural form. No tools needed.
Instant Setup & Takedown
No need to thread flexible supports and pipes like other tents. This tent is already constructed with built in flexible supports that "pop open" and just fold it to compress it down into its carry bag.
Portability
The tent observatory is ideal for a portable rig. It weighs almost nothing and sets flat when folded. Just fold up the tent and put it in the car along with the telescope and gear.
Fast Deployment
At the field site, it instantly pops open without any complicated assembly. No need to waste precious imaging time with rotating domes, opening bi-parting shutters, using motor drives or rolling off roofs.
Ventilation
The observatory has good ventilation as it can be regulated with the open bottom (no floor) or the window hatches at the top and side.
Caveat
The tent does not secure items inside from theft so it must be kept in a secured location or have eyes on it at all times. However, this may not be much of a problem for a secured balcony a thousand feet high off the side of a skyscraper. The tent is not permanent and not designed for high wind, but given proper care it could potentially last years.
