BAADER ADVANCED SLIT-DOME 8.5m

 

Baader Planetarium Advanced Slit-Domes are fully electronic observatory domes with broad up- and over-shutters designed for professional research and scientific applications. Available in sizes from 3.2 to 8.5 metres in diameter and made of hardened and lightweight glass-fibre polyester which serves as wind-, light- and weather-protection.

Advanced Slit Domes are typically used for applications such as astronomy research, satellite laser ranging (SLR), space domain awareness (SDA), free-space optical communication (FSOC) and defense.

They can be in sync with your remote / robotic telescope setup, with endless rotation, horizontal flap movement, and are fully ASCOM and INDIGO compatible – or via dedicated API. The 8.5m domes are designed to house large professional telescope setups that have up to a 2m aperture.

Baader Advanced Slit-Domes are available in sizes: 3.2m, 4.2m, 5.3m, 6.15m or 8.5m.

 

 

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 Slit 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 200km/h wind speed to achieve undeteriorated performance and protection of the dome interior, with the dome being closed and in parking position.

• Fail-safe Features - Hand crank system to close dome in case of power failure.

• Ready for Emergency Weather Station.

 

 

Note: All Baader Slit Domes require either a short cylinder (1) or long cylindrical base (2). The short cylinder is the interface between the dome and the structure is it to be installed on. The cylindrical base is another option that can be incorporated to maximize the interior of an observatory. The 6.15m and 8.5m are only available with the short cylinder base.

Features:

 

 

STRUCTURE

Built as a self-contained structure made of Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester (FRP) with dual slit arches that is mounted on a precision laser cut steel ring, an up and over shutter, and a horizontal flap. Advanced Slit-Domes can be upgraded to withstand up to 300km/h winds.

 

 

ENDLESS DOME ROTATION

Supplied with a Continuous Power Bar (CPB) enabling endless dome rotation and permanent remote control of the shutter and horizontal flap.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL & VARMINT PROTECTION

Protecting your system is critical for the functionality and longevity of the housed equipment, hence, silicone seals are used to mitigate the entry of unwanted particles and varmint.

 

 

INNER SURFACE

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.

Optional upgrades:

 

 

AUTOMATED DOME CONTROL

An electronical controller with an interface that enables the end-user to control the dome locally with a hand control unit and remotely via direct drivers, API, ASCOM or INDIGO.

 

 

EMERGENCY WEATHER STATION

Required for remote operation, this component that is hardwired to the control sub-system which commands the dome to close in case of precipitation or high wind speeds. Advanced Slit-Domes feature an emergency fail-safe UPS to ensure self-closure in case of power failure.

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.

• Input/Output module: Special module for the dome electronics, allowing commination in a secure way with certain I/O ports of the controller.

• 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.

• Provisions for lifting equipment: Mechanical attachment points and/or integrated beams inside the dome for client supplied cranes or instrument lifting equipment.

• Desert upgrades: Enhanced dust-proof seals throughout, as well as sealed running gear, dual insulation, maximum IR-reflection of the outer shell and temperature-hardened electronics are available for harsh environments demanding improved protection.

• Solar shield: For daytime operation, the roll-up shutter lessens solar radiation and thermal hot spots to form inside the dome.

• High-alpine upgrades: Triple layer with double intermediate insulation, enhanced mechanics for up to 300 km/h survival wind speed.

• Climatic performance upgrades: Structural upgrades and/or additional equipment for the dome and equipment to survive environmental conditions with temperatures down to -60°C or up to +60°C.

• Lightning mitigation hardware: Includes lightning rods and/or service galleries as well as hydraulically engaged and remote-controlled grounding. Only recommended for sites that don't allow you to install lightning rods separately from the dome.

Specifications

 

Dome size	8.5 m
Rotation rates	2°/s up to 15°/s
Flap and shutter speed	180 s
Recommended telescope aperture	up to 2,000 mm
Slit width	2,800 mm
Total weight - short cylinder	~ 4,000 kg (including base option)
Power requirements	400 V 3-phase (50/60 Hz)
Power max. peak	18 kW (custom solution)
Wind speeds (survival)	up to 200 km/h, optional high-alpine upgrades to 300 km/h available
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
Dome air volume - short cylinder	237 m3
Mandatory base options	Short Cylinder (Wall Adapter)
Azimuthal drive concept	Three geared drive units
Encoder	Absolute encoder in Azimuth and Shutter
Material	Glass-fibre reinforced polyester (GRP), double layer with intermediate insulation
Required RCD	All current sensitive residual circuit breaker (Type B, 300mA)
Command & Control	Cabled Hand Controller, RS232 and TCP/IP (Web interface and native API)
Emergency closure (power fail)	1. layer: UPS / 2. layer: manually, hydraulically assisted
Emergency closure (weather)	Weather Station included for emergency closure only, no readout
Uninterrupted power supply	Provided by client
Communications protocol	Proprietary API (TCP/IP, RS232), ASCOM-Alpaca (TCP/IP), ASCOM (RS232), INDIGO (RS232)

Downloads

 

Baader Domes Catalogue