Installing a 3 metre ScopeDome

ScopeDomes are arguably the best amateur observatories available. They're also used in many professional situations such as schools, universities and other institutions.
As ScopeDome's distributor in Australia and New Zealand, Sidereal Trading has experience in installing and commissioning these facilities. In this video we see the two-day project to install a 3 metre ScopeDome.
The video shows the overall process, including installing the three-part ring base, the walls and superstructure and the fit-out of the interior.
Because the location is in a rural area, we also had a visit from an Echinda, the Australian spiny ant-eater.
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Sidereal Trading is a developer, designer and manufacturer of high-end telescopes. We're based in Melbourne, in South East Australia, under the awesome Southern Hemisphere skies.
We sell and support telescopes, mounts, domes and electronic gear, including dome automation. We also sell a wide range of cameras, focusers, macro gear, and other accessories.
And because we're staffed by astrophotographers, not only do we know something of our trade, we're also obsessive about quality.
Follow us:
WWW: www.siderealtrading.com.au/
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Search for our RUclips channel under "Sidereal Trading"
Introduction music: www.bensound.com
Incidental music: Kevin MacLeod / www.incompetech.com

[@zaphus]

That was way more interesting to watch than it had any right to be - great work!

[@siderealtrading2415]

Ha ha! Thanks for that!

[@VK3CSJ]

Excellent Bill...watching this for the first time, I've just placed a deposit for one, I think I'll need you guys for sure, can't wait....;)

[@lmu6airy]

does the shutter board move while rotating? guess you need long cables for it

[@beatsntoons]

This is my dream!!
edit: nice video, Bill. When I can afford one of these, it'll be good to know how to set it up :)

[@siderealtrading2415]

You know it doesn't work properly unless you get the right type of echidna, right?

[@TheWonkyAstronomer]

I have a NexDome but this would be great if I had a little more space.

[@siderealtrading2415]

It's quite comfortable inside - I reckon I could sleep on the floor!

[@tamsoncat2358]

man i wish i could afford one of these -_-

[@johnsantucci9574]

Ah, open the pod bay door HAL......

[@joancatala]

In minute 5:04 I see a person standing up inside the dome and, honestly, the diameter doesn't seem 3 metre, but 2 metre.

[@siderealtrading2415]

The 3-metre ScopeDome is 3 metres in diameter (3019 mm to be exact) at its widest point. However, because the dome extends outwards from its base, this widest point is at about waist high when you stand next to it. The base ring (which is what is being installed at 5:04) has a diameter of 2232 mm on the inside and 2752 mm on the outside. There are diagrams at www.scopedome.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ScopeDome_Manual_3_0_EN.pdf.

[@andreoliver5927]

There is no way that the dome is 3 meters wide. It appears to be about 8 ft.

[@siderealtrading2415]

The 3-meter ScopeDome is 3 meters in diameter (3019 mm to be exact) at its widest point. However, because the dome extends outwards from its base, this widest point is at about waist high when you stand next to it. The base ring (which is what is being installed at 5:04 ) has a diameter of 2232 mm on the inside and 2752 mm on the outside. There are diagrams at www.scopedome.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ScopeDome_Manual_3_0_EN.pdf.