Sirius Observatories Australia Pty Ltd commenced manufacturing observatories in 1986. The directors of Sirius have been involved in the fibreglass industry for more than 25 years and have carried the quality of workmanship and manufacturing precision, gained mainly from the fibreglass yacht building industry, into the strength and functionality as exemplified in each Sirius Observatory.
The Sirius Observatory has been designed and developed as a classical and attractive permanent housing for both amateur and professional telescopes. The marine-grade fibreglass construction will ensure years of maintenance free service. Each observatory is simple to assemble having been pre-assembled in the factory with all adjoining panels and sections numbered prior to packaging. Each unit is delivered as a kit complete with all fittings and assembly instructions. A 2.3m model can be assembled by two people in two hours.
Sirius observatories have engineer’s structural certification, are completely waterproof and rated for wind loadings up to 225 kph. All fastenings are corrosion free stainless steel or zinc plated. As an alternative to the traditional white dome, colour variations are available. All internal wall joints have cover plates fitted and small fingers (or large ones) cannot accidentally reach drive gears or the dome rotation wheels.
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The dome is mounted onto the wall panels by a series of maintenance free wheels and secured against lifting by a bolted permanent cover. Dome rotation is whisper quiet and can be achieved by either a push of the hand (on the 2.3m and 3.5m models) or by a non-slip motor drive mechanism. The shutters can be operated via a draw cord, a winding hand mechanism, or motor driven. Each shutter can be independently operated.
Securely fastened non-rotating wall sections allow the installation of internal light fittings and switches, power points, space-saving wall mounted telephones or intercoms, electrical conduit and meter boxes and a host of ancillary items or simply somewhere secure to lean a step ladder against.
Wall panels can be provided with storage lockers to provide extra storage space for items such as computers, eyepieces, star charts and catalogues, cameras, books and magazines, telescope accessories etc. These locker panels can be added at any time following your initial purchase by removing of a standard wall panel and inserting the storage locker panel. Locker panels are not available for the ‘University’ model.
For installations where there is an existing building or custom designed wall sections are available, any of the Sirius domes can be supplied as a ‘dome only’ option. To assist with the installation of the dome, Sirius supply a matching mounting ring with each dome.
NASA, Muhlenberg College USA - White Sands Missile Range, USA - Sydney University - Queensland Department of Education - German Navy - Malaysian Prime Minister - Hamilton Island Resort - Mountain Skies Astronomical Society, USA - Observatory Park, Taipei - Galway University, Ireland - Brisbane Boys Grammar School - Xavier College, Melbourne - Trinity College, Perth - Christian Brothers College, Adelaide … the Caltex America School, Indonesia – Graz University, Austria – Diffraction Limited, Canada – University of Western Australia.
… and hundreds of amateur astronomers throughout the world. Visit the factory-independent SIRIUS OBSERVATORY USERS GROUP!