Once I started Deep Sky Imaging it became very obvious that it was a lot of work and time to set up and I was constantly trying to think of ways I could leave the majority of the telescope set up. There is nothing more frustrating than doing all that work, just getting it all nicely balanced and ready to start imaging when the clouds roll in. Soul destroying. At that time I was setting up on the patio and trailing my cables through the window so I could sit in the conservatory in the warm.

I managed to get permission from my very easy going other half to have an observatory and then spent a few weeks trying to decide where the best place was to put it.

POD has finally arrived in England but not delivered yet.

2013

Whilst I love many aspects of the POD, it does have a drawback.

That is the problem of the dome getting in the way of objects as they pass overhead or close to the Zenith.

Coming up to 3 1/2 years with the POD I am now investigating installing a POD Zenith table PZT.

I have resisted this up until now because of the complexity of construction, and the fact that I doubted my own ability to move the dome on and off in the dark and had visions of the dome tumbling onto the lawn in the early hours of the morning!!!

However I feel I cannot live with this any more and so with the help of our friend Ian (a retired Engineer), I have started to construct a DIY PZT. (POD Zenith Table)/ I chose to go down the DIY route rather than the supplied version by the POD people, because of the difficulty of fitting the table on due to the narrow space between the fence next door and the POD and the gap between the POD bay and the shed which can only be passed standing and sideways. With a complete table on top we would not be able to get in to screw the table underneath and so constructing it in bits makes this possible so I can have the PZT on the North East side which is partially obscured by houses anyway.

A couple of photos demonstrating the tight space we have to work in, and why we have had to go down the DIY route and not use the kit supplied by SkyPOD where we would find it impossible to get in to screw the table to brackets etc.

Original dome bracket. SKYPOD have made an adaptation to this so you can slide the dome off. Luckily I didn't have to wait for these to come over from Canada as Altair Astro had some demo ones in stock

Saturday 11th October 2013

Although this is pre-treated timber made for decking (except the ply) I decided as I would never be able to get at the Shed/Fence corner once the table top is fitted that it would be a good idea to give the timber and decking a weather-proofing treatment before the table goes on top.

As Ian has now fitted the frame on this was easier said than done, so I had to climb over the POD walls via a chair and onto a step ladder (between the horizontals) and do the necessary without getting the WP treatment all over my clothes.

I'll try to do the decking on the underside before Ian fixes it on.

The Ply will have several coats of Yacht varnish and can't be fitted until this has been done.

Wednesday 16th October (Carole was away)

The POD Zenith table is virtually finished. Just a few tweaks, but it works. and enables me to reach the Zenith. Just need to fit a couple of ramps to make getting the domes on/off at the sides a bit easier. There are 3 strips of slippery plastic fitted onto the table for the dome to slide on (and not wear out the varnish).

The dome slid back by about 2'6"/3'. As you can see the dome is still in the way towards the NE, but I never image over that way anyway, partly because the houses are in the way and lack of objects to image in that direction. Objects mostly rise from behind that loft extension, so I'll be able to see the objects right through until they set or disappear behind a tree in the West. The dome can also be swivelled slightly on the table.

Need to practice getting it on and off a few times before I dare try it in the dark.

The dome slid back by about 2'6"/3'.