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APM Professional Telescopes

1m F/8 Ritchey Chrétien with dual Nasmyth Foci, Cape Town (South Africa)

Another large telescope for the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). An 1m F/8 Alt-Az mounted Ritchey Chrétien for robotic use. It has dual Nasmyth Foci. The main telescopes used for research are located at the SAAO observing station (32°22.795’S 20°48,657’E) near Sutherland in the Northern Cape, a 4-hour drive from Cape Town.

Sirius Domes

Sirius Observatories Australia has learned that success and innovation comes from overcoming difficulties as a team and with Joe at the helm, we believe that nothing can stand in our way of eventually becoming the number one manufacturer of fiberglass observatories in the world.

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SBIG Dome Control System

MaxDome II Observatory Dome Control System

The MaxDome II observatory control system is used in over a thousand observatories worldwide.

New! Optional MaxDome Charging System eliminates the need for solar charging the shutter battery.

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Product Description

The MaxDome II dome controller provides flexible, fully integrated observatory dome control. Features include:

ASCOM-Standard dome and telescope interfaces
Support for AutomadomeSlave dome rotation to your telescope
Rotation-only and full shutter-and-rotation systems available
Single or dual shutter operation, with sequencing
Wireless shutter control – no unreliable sliding contacts
Direct confirmation of shutter open/closed state
Safety interlocks automatically close dome upon loss of data from PC
Park-before-close option to avoid mechanical interferences
Manual override controls for shutter and rotation control
Auxiliary auto-close inputs for Boltwood Cloud Sensor III or other observatory protection hardware
Easily adapted to custom or commercial observatory domes
Directly compatible with Sirius Domes Observatories
Directly drives 12VDC motors up to 5A. Can operate other motor types through external relays.
Field-upgradable firmware

A full MaxDome installation includes two identical controller boards. The main board, which controls dome rotation, connects to the controlling PC. A second identical board, riding on the rotating dome and powered by a solar-charged battery (not included), operates the shutters.

A wireless inductive link provides constant communications between the two boards, allowing for full control and status monitoring. This eliminates the need for clumsy and trouble-prone electrical contacts.

MaxDome Block Diagram

Optional MaxDome Charging System

New! The optional MaxDome Charging System eliminates the need for solar charging the shutter battery.

MaxDome II Software/Drivers

MaxDome II Software/Drivers and user manual are distributed on a USB stick included with the product. They are also available by download via the Downloads tab on this page.

Accessories

MaxDome Charging System

The MaxDome Charging System is a wireless charger designed for use with the MaxDome II observatory control system.

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APM Professional Telescopes

1m F/8 Ritchey Chrétien with dual Nasmyth Foci, Cape Town (South Africa)

Another large telescope for the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). An 1m F/8 Alt-Az mounted Ritchey Chrétien for robotic use. It has dual Nasmyth Foci. The main telescopes used for research are located at the SAAO observing station (32°22.795’S 20°48,657’E) near Sutherland in the Northern Cape, a 4-hour drive from Cape Town.