Construction

10'Dome Construction

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In Appreciation of

Martin Woodley's Craftsmanship

HBAstro

Construction Projects

"Solar Powered..Remote Controlled"

Photos

Complete

Just afert Moon set April 2 All Sky Camera North is UP

 

 

 

  

Martin and Ed with Dome 2 and the Control Shed

10' Dome Construction in Pictures

2022

  

Martin and Ed with Dome 2 and the Control Shed

Observatory from above

Febreary 27, 2016

  

Martin and Ed with Dome 2 and the Control Shed

Observatory from above

Febreary 27, 2016

  

Martin and Ed with Dome 2 and the Control Shed

Martin and Ed with Dome 2 and the Control Shed

Gentlemen Beautiful Work!

February 2, 2013

  

Ed keeps fis hands clear as Martin nails flashing

Martin and Ed Install Flashing Under Dome 2

February 2, 2013

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Martin and Ed build Dome 2 Support Structure

February 2, 2013

  

Railing Around the Tower Photo by Martin Woodley

January 19, 2013

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

RoboDome at its New Home

The Second Dome on the Mountain Will be Installed on the Tower

January 12, 2013

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Sierra Chaparral Observatory

January 12, 2013

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

New Home for the RoboDome

January 12, 2013

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Martin Injects Epoxy for Pier Bolts, Ed Provides Words of Encouragement...

January 11, 2013

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Ed you want one of these? Martin Warming-Up in 20°F Weather,

January 11, 2013

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Fraiming Detail for Dome Support New Year #3

January 5, 2013

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Dome 1 Sunset

New Year #3

January 5, 2013

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Sierra Chaparral Dome 2 Construction New Year #3

January 5, 2013

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Tower and Dome Support Framing New Year #3

January 5,2013

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Sunset and the Dome Support Framing Structure

January 5, 2013

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Dome Base Bracing Complete

December 21, 2012

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Uprights for the Deck are in Place

December 15, 2012

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Tower Brick Work is Complete

December 10, 2012

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Tower Construction is Underway for a Second Dome

November 2012

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Tower Construction is Underway for a Second Dome

November 2012

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Rif and his Rig

Nov. 2012

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Rif digs the trench to bring water from the well

Nov. 2012

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Martin and Ed make a scaffold to raise the pier another few feet

Nov. 2012

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

I cut 12" off the tube and now it fits the dome but the preliminary 16" F/3.2 design no longer fits the tube...

...18" tube 36" long...

Back to the drawing board...

Sep. 29, 2012

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

A fit check of the new 16" F/3.2 astrograph prelimianry design reveals an issue.

The tube is too large and another design will be needed... So its back to Zemax modeling. And it looked good in the CAD model???

Sept. 29, 2012

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Mike brings his New AP 175 to the site for a few nights of imaging September 2012. Mike comments: "It was the first trip to the field in 2 years and the first trip ever with this setup. To me its seems the scope, mount and camera are a perfect match."
 
 

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Spectacular monsoon lightning display on the eastern and southern horizon, lights up the sky

July 14, 2012

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Moon rise before eclipse over Sierra Chaparral Obeservatory

June 3, 2012

  

Afternoon Storm Arrives

Afternoon Storm Arrives

March 31, 2012

  

North Side of Control Shed facing south

Control Shed and Out House

March 24, 2012

  

Shed Setup for the Night

Temporary Setup for The Night

March 24, 2012

  

Floor Installed

Floor Installation Complete

March 24, 2012

  

Floor delivered Control Shed iinside painted

Inside Painting Complete and Floor Delivered

March 17, 2012

  

March Snow Storm

Delivering the Floor during a spring snow flurry

March 17, 2012

  

Moon Over the Control Shed

Moon Over the Control Shed

March 3, 2012

  

Seeing Monitor Renistalled with Dew Heaters

Seeing Monitor "with dew heaters" Reinstalled on the Tower

Feb. 26, 2012

  

Control Shed is Dry Walled

Across The Meadow

Sun Rise Sierra Chaparral

Feb. 26, 2012

  

A dew heater is needed

Seeing Monitor Frozen

Clear Need for a Dew Heater

Feb. 13, 2012

  

Control Shed is Dry Walled

Control Shed is Dry Walled

Feb. 13,2012

  

Another Clear Sunset

Sunset Sierra Chaparral

Feb. 13, 2012

  

The Loft is Dry walled Lots of hard work Martin and Ed Thanks

Loft is Dry Walled

Feb. 13, 2012

  

Control Rack Wired

Control Rack Wired

Feb 13, 2012

  

Wires to the Control Rack

Wires Entering the Control Rack

Data, 12V, 110V for

Shed and Domes

Feb 12, 2012

  

Moon set over Nine Mile Canyon

Sierra Chaparral Sunrise from Road

Feb. 12, 2012

  

Moon set over Nine Mile Canyon

Nine Mile Canyon Moon Set

Feb. 12, 2012

  

Seeing Monitor modified to accomodate an SQM

Seeing Monitor and

Sky Quality Meter (SQM)

Some Modifications

Feb 3, 2012

  

Seeing Monitor modified to accomodate an SQM

Sky Quality Meter "left side"

Seeing Monitor "right side"

Some Modifications

Feb 3, 2012

  

Drilling holes in the copper bus bar

12Volt Power Distribution and Breaker Drawer

Jan 21,2012

  

Control Shed New Year

A New Year #2

Jan 11, 2012

  

Control Shed "In The Wall" Wiring is complete

Control Shed Wiring Complete

Dec. 28, 2011

  

Drilling holes in the copper bus bar

Seeing Monitor First Light

its "used" but works great

Dec. 27, 2011

  

Seeing monitor First Light

Seeing Monitor First Light

Sierra Chaparral

Dec. 27, 2011

  

Moon Settinh over Nine mile Canyon

Moon Set from Nine mile Canyon

Sierra Chaparral 1 year old

Dec. 17, 2011

  

View of the Observatory from the Well

Ground Bus Bar

Drilling Holes for Connection

Nov. 26, 2011

  

View of the Observatory from the Well

View South from the Well

Nov. 26, 2011

  

Well is complete 25gal/min

The Well is Complete

243 feet deep 25 gal/ Min.

Thanks Jay...

Nov. 26, 2011

  

Control Shed Early AM Sunrise

Control Shed

Nov. 26 , 2011

  

Clearing Storm Sierra Chaparral

Clearing Storm Sierra Chaparral

Note the Solar Panels are Snow Free and Producing Energy at 10:00AM

Nov. 12 , 2011

  

Winter Storm Clearing

Clearing Winter Storm

Nov. 12 , 2011

  

Winter storm leaves a little snow

Sierra Chaparral Observatory

Control Shed Weathers its first Winter Snow Storm.

8:30AM

Thanks Martin and Ed..!!

Nov. 12 , 2011

  

Early Morning Clearing Storm

Across The Meadow

Sierra Chaparral Observatory

Overnight storm drops about 6" of snow

Nov. 12 , 2011

  

A little Snow Fall Note: the Tower is almost ready for another Dome

Cold but Still Nice and a Little Snow Falls

Nov. 11 , 2011

  

A little Snow Fall

Cold but Still Nice and a Little Snow Falls

Nov. 11 , 2011

  

Its Cold But You Can Still Enjoy The View

Pam Visits Its Cold but Still Nice

Nov. 11 , 2011

  

Pam visits during some cold weather

Pam Visits; It Might Snow

Nov. 11 , 2011

 

Jay's Well Drilling Rig in Place at Sierra Chaparral

Jay and Sue's Well Drilling Rig

Oct. 22, 2011

 

Jay Explains Drilling a Well to Dad

Dad and Jay Discuss Drilling a Well

Oct. 22, 2011

 

Dad Inspects and Approves the Solar Panel Installation

Dad Approves Solar Panel Installation

Oct. 22, 2011

 

Mom Robin Make Lunch

Mom Robin Make Lunch

Oct. 22, 2011

 

Mom Robin with the 8" F/2.6 in Dome

Mom Robin and the 8" F/2.6

Sierra Chaparral Observatory

Oct. 22, 2011

 

Dad takes a Picture of Mom Robin and I at Sierra Chaparral

Mom Robin and I

Sierra Chaparral Observatory

Oct. 22, 2011

 

Robin Takes a Picture of Dad Mom and I

Dad and Mom Visit Sierra Chaparral Observatory

Oct. 22, 2011

 

Martin Completes the Solar Panel Wiring

Martin Completes the Solar Panel Wiring

Oct. 15, 2011

 

Ed and Martin Complete the installation of the Solar Panels

Ed and Martin Solar Panels Installed

Oct. 15, 2011

 

Ed and Martin Install the Solar Panels

Ed and Martin Install the Solar Panels

Oct. 15, 2011

 

Martin and Ed have the Solar Panel Rails Installed

Rails for the Solar Panels are Installed

Oct. 12, 2011

 

I drive the Solar Panels to the Site

Solar Panels Arrive

Oct. 8, 2011

 

Control Shed and Dome await the Solar Panels

Control Shed Ready for Solar Panels

Oct. 1, 2011

 

Martin and Ed Install the WEather Station

Martin and Ed Install the Weather Station

Oct. 1, 2011

 

Martin Bolting Down the All Sky Camera

Martin Bolts Down the All Sky Camera

Oct. 1, 2011

 

Martin and Ed Install the All Sky Camera

Martin and Ed install the All Sky Camera

Oct. 1, 2011

 

Clearing Sunset Storm Detail

Clearing Sunset Storm

Sierra Chaparral

Sep 30, 2011

 

Clearing Storm at Sunset

Clearing Storm at Sunset

Sierra Chaparral

Sep 30, 2011

 

Stormy Sunset

Stormy Sunset at Sierra Chaparral

Sep 30, 2011

 

Road to Sierra Chaparral

Road to Sierra Chaparral

Sep 30, 2011

 

Control Shed from the other 5

Control Shed

Sep 30, 2011

 

Rif Martin and Ed install the Culvert

Culvert Installed

Sep 20, 2011

 

Metal Roof Installed

Metal Roof Installed

Sep 20, 2011

 

Rain Tested >2" and NO LEAKS its Ready for the Metal Roof

All Set for the Roof

Sep 17, 2011

 

Ed and Martin Frame

Dome and Rail Work

Sep 17, 2011

 

Outhouse Framing nearly Complete

Out House Framing

Aug. 24, 2011

 

Ed and Martin Frame the Outhouse

Ed and Martin Out House Framing

Aug. 24, 2011

 

Ed works on the Outhouse while Martin and Rif discuss the next excavation

Construction of the Out House

Aug. 24, 2011

 

Control Shed toward the North West

Control Shed toward the North West

Aug. 5, 2011

 

Verification of the Robo Dome location using a C-8

Control Shed and Dome Toward North West

Aug. 5, 2011

 

Martin Nailing the Battery Shack Roof

Martin Working the Battery Shack Roof

Aug. 5, 2011

  

Ed Cuts cross supports for the Battery Shed Roof

Ed Cuts Roof Supports for Battery Shack

Aug. 5,2011

 

Ed and Martin working on the Battery Shack

Ed And Martin Working the Battery Shed

Aug. 5, 2011

 

Control Shed with Door South East View

Control Shed with Door South East View

Aug. 5, 2011

 

Martin and Ed get Things Sealed Just in Time for a Little Rain

A Bit Of Afternoon Rain Tests Things

Just a few hours earlier SQ 21.87 under cloudless skies

July 30, 2011

 

A Bit More Layout Elliminates a Troublesome Tower

Control Shed Dome and A Bit More Layout Facing North

Sunrise Note the Clear Sky

July 30, 2011

  

Control Shed Telescope and Dome toward North

Control Shed Dome and Telescope North Facing

July 29, 2011

  

Rif Risks it all and Teaches Me How to Dig With His John Deere...A Lot Like Flying An Airplane Says Rif

Rif Risks His John Dee re and Teaches Me to Dig

July 23, 2011

 

Control Shed Telescope and Dome toward North

Control Shed Dome and Telescope North Facing

July 23, 2011

 

Control Shed Fraiming With Dome Toward West

Control Shed Framing Toward West

July 22, 2011

 

Control Shed Fraiming Progresses

Control Shed

July 11, 2011

 

Sierra Chaparral Front Gate Welcomes

Sierra Chaparral

July 11, 2011

 

Testing Electronics and Software...Notice All Sky Camera on Ladder

Testing Electronics and Software

July 3 , 2011

  

Control Deck and Dome toward E

Control Shed and Dome Toward East

July 1 , 2011

 

Control Deck and Dome toward SE

Control Shed and Pier Toward South East

July 1 , 2011

 

Control Deck and Dome toward SW

Control Shed and Pier Toward South West

July 1 , 2011

 

Control Deck and Dome toward NW

Control Deck and Dome Toward North West

May 28, 2011

 

Control Shed Deck and Footing for 16' tower

Control Deck and Pier Footing

May 28, 2011

 

Control Shed Deck at Sunrise

Control Deck, Sunrise

May 28, 2011

 

Control Shed Deck and Fence nearly complete

Control Shed and Fence

May 28, 2011

 

Tight Fit, A trim of Dec Shaft, and reposition of Camera were needed

RoboDome with Camera Back Yard Testing

May 22, 2011

 

Its Windy, Its Cold, and Yes it Snowed

Pam Checks Progress

May 15, 2011

 

Martin and Ed have the West Side Fence Complete

Martin and Ed Have the Fence Complete on the West Side

May 14, 2011

 

Making measurements for the perminant pier design

ME, the Dome, and an AP1200

Measurements for Pier 1 Design and Some Dome Adjustments, Thanks Dennis and Jim

May 14, 2011

 

Pier 2 for wide field cameras and RoboDome

Pier 2 and RoboDome

May 11, 2011

 

Dome from road looking East

Dome from Road Looking East

May 7, 2011

 

Dome view from Tower Pad looking South East

Dome from Tower Pad Looking South

May 7, 2011

 

Martin and Ed do their first dome installation and the first dome on the mountain

Martin and Ed Install the First Dome on the Mountain

May 7, 2011

 

Ed gets some guidance and encouragement from the Neighbors

Some Encouragement from the Neighbors

May 7, 2011

 

Martin and Ed Get things ready for Dome inatallation

Martin and Ed Get Things Ready for the Dome

May 7, 2011

 

Dome Moved from Light Buckets to Sierra Chaparral (2) days on the road

After (2) Days on the Road I Arrive with the Dome from Light Buckets thanks Steve

May 7, 2011

 

Set up for First Night on the Concrete Slab

First Night on the New Slab

April 29, 2011

 

Batteries Arrive 900Ahr

Batteries Arrive

April 22, 2011

  

10 Yards of Concrete Poured

Concrete Work Complete Except a Couple of Footings

View Due South

April 21, 2011

  

Rif smoothing ruts from the cement truck load

Rif Smoothing Ruts from the Heavy Concrete Load

April 21, 2011

  

Martin, Ed, and Tractor Pouring the Utility Slab

Martin, Ed, and Tractor Working the Concrete for the Battery Shed Slab

April 21, 2011

  

Martin, Tractor, and Ed Pouring Pier 2

Martin, Tractor, and Ed Working Concrete for Pier 1

April 21, 2011

  

Ready for Concrete Pour View Toward the South

Early Morning Truck Arrival and We are Ready to Pour Concrete

April 21, 2011

  

View toward North West from 6' Dome site

Forms View Toward North West

April 16, 2011

  

Outhouse and walk way forms

Out House and Walk Way Forms

April 16, 2011

  

Piers have been dug 4' deep

Pier 2 Forms

Clay is hard to move and the forms make 4 feet. A lot of work Thanks Martin, Ed, and Rif

April 16, 2011

  

Piers have been dug 4' deep

Pier Layout Complete

April 2, 2011

  

Checking Layout Alignment to Polaris

Polaris Alignment Check

Waiting for Dark

"Trust but Verify"

April 2, 2011

  

Future Telescope Field.. View toward North

Telescope Field Layout

Aligned to Polaris

Thanks Martin and Ed...

March 2011

 

  

You Telescope Guys are Nuts...Align to Polaris?? Where is your Polaris?

Do What? Align To Polaris?

Isn't that an off road vehicle?

Martin and Ed

March 2011

 

Road Graded

Road Graded

Thanks Rif...

March 2011

  

Telescope Field Graded

Telescope Field Graded

March 2011

 

Check the Stars one last time before construction

Star Testing Prior to Grading

March 2011

 

Future Telescope Field

Future Telescope Field

Year #1

Feb. 2011

 

Marking the Road

A little Prep for Grading

Year #1

Feb. 2011

 

First Night as Owner

Sierra Chaparral Site

Close of Escrow Dec. 17,2010

Thanks Thomas...

 

A Night of Astronomy

Sierra Chaparral Site Test

Wayne and I test the site

SQ 21.87

Dark Sky Night Sept. 2010

 

New Beginings

Sierra Chaparral Parcels 1&2

July 2010

 

 

  
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images and text © 2006-2020 Dave Erickson