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Post by Ron Walker on Nov 9, 2022 11:38:04 GMT -7
The Star Barn Planetarium is part of a two pronged building project. The planetarium as well as a small observatory which could be used independently as well as in conjunction with the planetarium.  The observatory lives about 50 feet north of the planetarium which acts as a block of the Phoenix/Scottsdale light dome. This will be the story of building the FSO which was done under the building permit for the planetarium. |
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Post by Ron Walker on Nov 14, 2022 15:40:34 GMT -7
It was on my birthday some years back that I received one of the first runs of the Exploradome.  As I remember it was a pre order before any were actually manufactured.  |
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Post by Ron Walker on Aug 5, 2023 14:12:02 GMT -7
I decided to place the observatory just to the north of the planetarium so it would be in the shadow of the bigger dome. That would help with the light dome from Phoenix and keep the skies as dark as possible.  The dome had been waiting as most of my free time went into the planetarium. I did need to move this along as well as it was built under the large domes building permit.  I also purchased the "one ring to rule them all" to make for an easy install of the dome.  A hole of 3' X 3' X3' was dug (by younger members of my family) and filled with 8x8x16 blocks to ground level and then continuing with 12X16X6 blocks for the pier. Rebar was placed generously through out the block structure including continuous pieces from the top of the pier to the bottom of the hole. When the foundation of the larger dome was pored, this entire labyrinth was also filled. A 10'X10' square was made out of 2X6's was made to form the outside of the floating floor. |
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Post by Ron Walker on Aug 5, 2023 14:32:46 GMT -7
 Before the post dried,  a prebuilt positioning top plate with 1/2 inch bolts was tied into the rebar to support the mount plate.  Once dried, the guide was removed waiting for the top mounting plate. |
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Post by Ron Walker on Aug 5, 2023 15:19:12 GMT -7
 I went to my "Good Junk" pile and found some 3/8 inch aluminum plate to make the top plate out of. Actually two...one a fill top plate and a second smaller one that had been machined out to match the bottom of the mount. I was thinking of using 1/2 inch plate but I had this stuff and I really doubt that it will flex too much.  It is placed and leveled and I doubt it will go anywhere anytime soon.  The floor frame has a 2X4 flat frame placed on two sides to provide support for the floor rafters and also tie into the post mounts at six points into concrete to support the floating floor. Note the final rebar tied together around the bottom of the pier. It will provide a ring of support from the concrete block and the pier so that all of the weight is not just carried with the center core. Very probably overkill but cement is cheap so why not. |
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Post by Ron Walker on Aug 5, 2023 15:35:11 GMT -7
 Before the floor rafters are placed, conduit for power (both 120 volt DC as well as 12 volt DC) and room for video and computer cables are run. The plan is to be able to provide live video for the planetarium dome.  The floor parameter is carefully leveled and the six support points are filled with concrete.  Once all is dried the floor rafters are put in place. |
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Post by Ron Walker on Aug 5, 2023 15:45:50 GMT -7
 The flooring goes in next with two layers of sheathing placed at 90 degrees to each other.  Note that the floor does not touch the pear or any of the conduits connected to it. Thus traversing the floor should not transmit any vibration to the central pier in case I want to try some astrophotography. There is room in the corners for triangle tables for computers and what not.  Next the first of the four walls goes up on the floor. |
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