Motorization (shutter operation), 2.3m Dome with MAXDome
Motorised shutters (2.3m Dome)
One of the most interesting points of the Sirius Observatories is their possibility entirely or to be partially motorized thanks to the use of engines and perfectly integrated feeding system. The first level of motorization consists in equipping the dome with a system of electric rotation. By observing the image attentively opposite it is possible to see a long toothed rectangular stem traversing all the circumference of the cupola. Gears inside the white reinforcement are in rotation and involve the stem fixed on the cupola. The pushbutton on the racket of order located in bottom can be actuated in the two directions. The dome then carries out a rotation clockwise or anti-clockwise quickly, with precision and without risk of skid thanks to the system of toothed drive cut finely to the laser.

The connecting cable between the pushbutton and the case of order is sufficiently long to activate the rotation of the cupola with does not import place inside this one. Avoid stopping an observation while always laying out with the hand or this accessory bringing a real comfort. The second level included motorization of the cimier. It is indeed possible to motorize the opening and the closing of the moving parts of the cupola. The lower obturator open or is closed using a release mechanical (long stem on the photograph above) and supplied with 12V. This rigid arm avoids the vibrations in the event of winds when the obturator is open. Sensors limit the displacement of the arm motorized to avoid any going beyond.


The observatory entirely automated and increasingly accessible thanks to the recent technological changes allowing to order cameras, equipment CCC remotely, carries ocular, mountings and using the MaxDome system the cupolas Sirius Observatories. Developed by the Canadian company Limited Diffraction, editor of the famous software of astrophotography MaximDL, the MaxDome controller is initially designed for the cupolas of the Australian manufacturer. It is however possible to adapt MaxDome for the rotation of other cupolas. Major interest of this system of automation and to provide to control at the same time displacements of the cupola and the opening of the cimier. Thanks to Internet and a PC remotely order entirely your observatory to several tens or hundreds of kilometers of this one.

The software of MaxDome is able using a position encoder of the cupola to make it possible this one to follow the position of the telescope. The dome is then "slave" of the telescope! It is easy using a cable of Rs-232 connection to connect the instrument to a PC, the position of the instrument will then be interpreted without difficulty by the MaxDome software. To know the position of the cupola precisely, the system of automation has an optical sensor positioned near the system of drive of the toothed rectangular stem (see photo above). Using a black Scotch tape covering half of surface with the gears (or a black painting), the sensor is able to know rotation progressively the position of the cupola.

For the automation of the cimier of the magnetic sensors are used. In position of total closing these sensors are placed one opposite the other. At the time of the opening of the lower parts or higher the two sensors are not any more in the vicinity. The communication between the magnetic sensors and the controller is carried out by radio wave without wire. To reach the maximum degree of automation, the MaxDome system is compatible with weather probes. According to the cloud cover or the presence of rain, MaxDome orders the closing of the cimier automatically. A probe as that proposed by Diffraction Limited called "Detecting of Boltwood clouds" is perfectly adaptable with the MaxDome system. Your observatory does not require any manual help for the opening, the closing or the follow-up of displacements of the telescope. Place your observatory in a place free from luminous pollution to benefit from the formidable performances of your equipment CCC and your instrument.