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The SkyShed POD 7.5'
Personal Observatory Dome

Finally, an observatory dome which is quick and easy to set up, can be moved with little effort, yet still affords secure, waterproof and windproof protection!

What makes the POD different from traditional observatory domes?

Easy setup & Portability.
Six wall sections and four dome sections nest together, taking up less shipping space and weight than conventional domes. In fact, they're even portable enough to take to star parties, and POD customers do this! First time assembly takes less than 2 hours, subsequent quick assembly at a starparty for example, is even quicker once rain seals and wheel tracks are bolted in place.



 

 

 

 



Join the SkyShed pod EU user group to exchange tips with other POD observatory owners.

Everything required to assemble your POD is provided in the kit, except for bolts or augers to secure the POD to the ground, which are freely available. It can be assembled easily with normal tools compared to any other dome product. A step-by-step DVD guide is provided with every POD. Note: You can view the SkyShed POD assembly setup DVD online, at the bottom of this page.

Get out under the sky!
Unlike conventional domes, the POD offers a 180 degree wide angle view of the sky for more visual enjoyment, allowing you to see objects in their context and chat with fellow observers over the side. This wide aperture eliminates the "Chimney effect" affecting older dome designs, whereby convection currents are focused near the telescope slit as this is the only place for your body heat to escape - causing poor seeing conditions. Another advantage of the POD is that the dome doesn't need to be constantly rotated as your telescope tracks the sky, and movement is only needed every 4-5 hours if that. Opening up your dome just before sunset also gives you faster telescope cool-down then you would get with a traditional observatory design with a narrow viewing slit. By offsetting your scope from the centre of the dome, or using an equatorial mount (which is naturally offset), you can achieve zenith viewing - though many customers don't bother because fork and equatorial mounted telescopes are awkward to use at this angle, especially if camera equipment protrudes out of the back, potentially fouling the mount.

 Customise your POD.
Colour combinations are available for the dome in white, tan and light grey. Walls are available in white, tan, green and two shades of grey (see opposite colour charts and photos). We recommend a lighter colour on the dome, for less heat retention, and a darker colour for the walls, which also looks great. Additional inset wall panels called POD Bays offer vastly expanded equipment storage space, ideal for computers, accumulator batteries and eyepiece cases. Shelving systems are available for the Bays, and you can upgrade your POD to between one and a maximum of five POD Bays (an XL-5). No other dome product has the flexibility. Bays nest into each other for shipping, therefore ordering 3 Bays with your POD can cost a lot less than ordering Bays individually as they take up almost the same volume. The Bays and walls also offer a platform for installing your own power distribution panels, interior lighting, networking, climate control, and dome automation accessories. plus a range of quality steel piers are coming soon providing more floor space than a telescope tripod.

Protect your equipment.
Your POD can easily house a large scope like an 11 or 12" Cassegrain, and the door is designed with an aluminium weatherproof seal, and tough locking system. The dome material is made of high density Polyethylene giving a wipe-clean surface with a low friction feel - also a first and a superior material tin every way. It's extremely durable, almost impossible to stain, and features temperature and UV resistance. It's also resistant to scratches and cracking, absorbing shocks really easily - unlike thinner, inferior single walled plastic and fibreglass designs. A cleverly designed ventilation channel allows air to circulate under the dome, but as it doubles back, this eliminates dust and moisture ingress. The dome can be easily fixed to the ground for use with a tripod mounted scope, or preferably bolted to a raised decking kit, which allows better ventilation with cool air able to flow under the decking and up through it into the POD. A steel pier with concrete block foundation can be used to eliminate vibration for longer exposure CCD imaging. The pier protrudes up through the decking without touching the decking (about a half inch gap is fine) thereby isolating the pier from vibration caused by movement on the decking. We do not recommend you place your POD and pier on the same concrete pad as vibration can be transmitted through the concrete, the pier, and into the telescope. We provide piers and can advise on installation and decking kits, please contact us for details or join the SkyShed POD UK user group.

POD Review in SkyNews Magazine
Astronomy journalist Steve Barnes wrote a review in Canadian Astronomy Magazine SkyNews. Read the SkyShed POD review.

Read a recent article by Insight Magazine on the role of the POD Observatory in UK science and physics education.

 POD Assembly Video
Online Version 2
For those of you who are about to receive PODs and would like to get a jump on the assembly video, you can view an online abridged version of the DVD you will receive with your POD.
 You'll need a high speed connection and the video quality is bad compared to the DVD you'll receive with your POD. The video will provide information for those interested in purchasing a POD. View Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8 , Part 9

See the SkyShed POD featured on Discovery Channel here!
Ordering & Prices:

United Kingdom:
Altair Astro are now filling up the next UK SkyShed POD order for September/Nov 2008. Please order your POD now to get personal colours & bay preferences.

Order your SkyShed POD in Europe:

Spain

 Valkanik Esp. Astronomía S.L. Creu Gran 6 08221, Terrassa, Spain Tel. (34) 937 800 807 or (34) 937 884 750
France
 		Scopemania 965 Avenue Roger Salengro 92370 Chaville, France
Tel. 0141152384
Italy
 		Skypoint Italy SkyShed POD Via Zorutti 145/11 (S.S.13) 33030 CAMPOFORMIDO Italy Tel. +39 (0)432 652609
Netherlands
 		Aquarius Optical Instruments Vluchtheuvelstraat 10 6621 BK Dreumel Nederland Tel. Phone +31 (0)344 600346
Europe
Please register on the EU pre-order list. We will send your details to the nearest European POD dealer. If you're interested in a SkyShed POD dealership, please contact Altair Astro

SkyShed POD UK prices:
POD "Standard"  with 5 Walls, no Bays £1800
POD "Standard"  with 5 Foam Filled Walls, no Bays £2125
POD XL3 with 3 Bays, 2 Walls
 Save £597 over separately ordered Bays.		 £1950
NEW POD XL-3 - add 2x Foam Filled Walls Add £130
NEW POD XL-3 - add 3x Black Lined Bays Add £195
NEW POD XL-3 - add 3x Black Lined Bays & 2x Foam Filled Walls for the ultimate in strength & heat management Add £325
POD XL5 (5 Bays, no walls)
Save £747 over separately ordered Bays.		 £2200
POD XL-3 telescope & mount bundles Click here
NEW POD Clamshell Only! (for attachment to your own shed, garage roof or other building) £950
NEW Dome Only Hardware pack fix to your DIY mounting ring £ 50
NEW Dome Only Roller Kit fix to your DIY mounting ring £ 50
NEW POD Foam Filled Wall Upgrade Add £65 per Wall
NEW POD Black Lined Bay Upgrade Add £65 per Bay
POD Bay Upgrade (Replaces a Wall) £ 249
POD Bay Shelf (Fits inside a Bay) £ 45
POD Wall (Separate single unit) £ 175
POD Steel Pier to suit your mount £ Soon
POD Solar Cooling Fan £ Soon
Please note: Full payment by bank wire transfer, postal order or cheque is now required to order your POD as we haven't build credit card charges into our margin.

UK POD Delivery options:

Click to view the
UK delivery zone map

In the UK we offer a Delivery service, with prices based on distance from Norwich

(or free pick up from our warehouse in Norwich).

Zone: Distance from Norwich: Price:
Green 0-50 miles   £40
Pink 50-100 miles £75
Red 100-150 miles £110
Yellow 150-200 miles £145
Blue 200-300 miles £190
Orange 300-400 miles £250
 White Over 400 miles Quote

POD colour options: (note walls & domes can be different colours)

Colour: Dome: Walls & Bays:
Discovery White
Lunar Grey
Midnight Grey         none
Forest Green         none
Desert Tan
Neutron Blue (Glows in the dark)

POD Wall & Bay upgrade options:

Upgrade: Benefit: Image: Extra Cost:
Foam Filled POD Wall Substantial increase in strength, IR blocking and improved insulation. This upgrade isn't essential for cool countries like the UK. £65 per Wall
Black Lined POD Bay Increase in strength, IR blocking and improved insulation. This upgrade isn't essential for cool countries like the UK. £65 per Bay

Engineering close up of Dome rollers.
PODs are over-engineered for toughness!
Plan your observatory with POD Dimension graphics.

The SkyShed POD Customer Gallery. All sorts of telescopes are shown here including large
SCT's on equatorial mounts. Please send pics!
A POD installed on decking and a refractor. We recommend at least 3 POD Bays
(XL3) and a pier for more leg room.

21 people just kind of hanging around, in a POD. Remember to Keep your POD locked when not in use, or this could happen to you.
POD Beta testing presentation with sound and video, eerie red lighting, and shadows too.

Join the SkyShed pod EU user group to exchange tips and experiences with other POD observatory owners.


PODs are very easy to transport, and will fit easily into delivery a van or small trailer.

 

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