BAADER ALLSKY CLAMSHELL DOME 3.5m

 

Baader Planetarium AllSky Domes are professional clamshell observatory domes which offer a complete 180° full sky view. Available in sizes from 2.3 to 6.5 metres in diameter and made of four lightweight fibreglass reinforced polyester (FRP) clamshell segments that are motorized independently to shield robotic telescopes.

Baader AllSky domes are ideal for applications such as astronomy research, space situational awareness (SSA), space domain awareness (SDA), free-space optical communication (FSOC), atmospheric detectors and defense.

Each segment can move independently for optimized wind and light protection. AllSky domes come with a permanently accessible entrance door and an auto-close feature dependent on the feedback provided by the emergency weather station. With windspeed resistance up to 250km/h, AllSky domes are suitable for the toughest environments and autonomous/robotic functionality.

The 3.5m domes are designed to house large telescope setups that have up to a 800mm aperture.

 

 

4.5m AllSky dome installed at Dome C, Antarctica - the coldest place on earth at -84 degrees celsius.

Baader Automatic Slit-Domes are available in sizes: 2.3m, 3.5m, 4.5m or 6.5m.

 

 

Baader Planetarium has been manufacturing professional observatory domes for more than 50 years for customers such as NASA, ESA, Zeiss, ESO and many more, with over 600 installations worldwide. These include harsh environments such as Antarctica (Dome C at -84°C) and deserts with hermetic seals against dust.

All Baader AllSky Dome models include:

• Installation Performed by Baader personnel at the customer site.

• 2 years warranty for all electronic and electric components. 10 years warranty for outer dome skin and dome mechanics.

• Baader warrants for 250km/h wind speed to achieve undeteriorated performance and protection of the dome interior, with the dome being closed.

• Fail-safe Features - Power drill with system interfaces to close dome in case of power failure.

• Emergency Weather Station (mandatory).

 

Features:

 

 

SEGMENTED DESIGN

Made of Fiberglass Reinforces Polyester (FRP) with four horizontal clamshell segments that are motorized independently to shield robotic telescopes.

 

 

MECHANICS & CORROSION PROTECTION

Each segment is controlled independently by heavy duty electric motors which can be stopped and firmly held in any given up/down position. Stainless-steel components and toothed drive sections are used for all assemblies.

 

 

DOME SKIN & THERMAL BEHAVIOUR

 

ELECTRONIC CABINET & ENTRANCE DOOR

A protrusion opposite to the entrance door built to hold the dome electronics and control equipment with a standard rack mount cabinet. Whether the dome is fully open or closed: users can always enter and leave the dome, especially in emergency situations.

 

 

DOME CONTROL & EMERGENCY WEATHER STATION

All dome electrical functions are controlled by the internal dome microprocessor via hand controller or web interface. All functions may also be controlled remotely via API, ASCOM or INDIGO. Weather station is hard-wired to the control subsystem to automatically close dome in case of precipitation or high winds.

 

 

INNER SURFACE & SEALING

The inner surface of the dome is coated with a non-reflective paint to mitigate stray light from affecting data collection and avoid hotspots to form during daytime operation. All domes are hermetically sealed in order to prevent snow, dust, and/or  storm winds from entering. This also enables the end-user to easily control the environmental conditions within.

The following optional upgrades are also available:

• Custom modifications: For customers that desire mechanical through-holes with flanges and holders for electronic equipment.

• LED interior lighting: Downward-radiating wall lights can be provided in red and white light which can be separately controllable and dimmable.

• Local situational awareness: An indoor and outdoor camera can be supplied to provide awareness of the status of your observatory.

• Air drying system: Depending on your site’s age and location, an air dehumidifier is recommended to control moisture levels and create overpressure inside the dome.

• Professional weather station: If additional environmental situational awareness is desired for the observatory, a weather station that includes multiple sensors for weather data monitoring and logging.

• Advanced performance upgrades: Structural upgrades and additional equipment can be added for the dome and equipment to survive environmental conditions with temperatures down to -80°C, wind loads of ≥250km/h, high sea state levels, and sites that are prone to lightning strikes.

• Uninterrupted power supply: Another fail-safe feature that is incorporated and only utilized for the dome to ensure self-closure in case there is a power failure.

Specifications

 

Dome size	3.5 m
Total mass	up to 1,300 kg
Segment opening & closing speed	30 s (Highspeed option available)
Recommended telescope aperture	up to 800 mm
Mandatory base	Oblong concrete wall base
Material	Glass-fibre reinforced polyester (GRP), double layer with intermediate insulation
Dome air volume	23 m3
Power requirements	230 V (50/60 Hz)
Power max. peak	4.5 kW (6 kW including air dryer)
Wind speeds (survival)	up to 200 km/h standard, up to 300 km/h with optional high-alpine upgrade
Wind speeds (operational)	up to 60 km/h (7 bft max. gusts)
Survival temperature	-40 °C to +60 °C, optional Climatic Performance Upgrades available
Operating temperature	-20 °C to +40 °C, optional Climatic Performance Upgrades available
Required RCD	All current sensitive residual circuit breaker (Type B, 300mA)
Command & Control	IR-Hand Controller, RS232 and TCP/IP (Web interface and native API)
Emergency closure (power fail)	Manually (auxiliary electric drive)  / Optionally: UPS
Emergency closure (weather)	Weather Station included for emergency closure only, no readout
Uninterrupted power supply	Optionally available
Communications protocol	Proprietary API (TCP/IP, RS232), ASCOM-Alpaca (TCP/IP), ASCOM (RS232), INDIGO (RS232)

Downloads

 

Baader Domes Catalogue