Another dome.

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I noticed a dome disappear from its roadside garden some years ago. Then in conversation  my wife said she remembered the unusual surname of the owner.  A search online followed up by Google Earth and I was able to pinpoint their new location. A superb dark site on a very minor road going from almost nowhere to literally nowhere in particular. 

As it houses a refractor there is no need for a silly door in a low wall.

Commercial domes usually have to cater for all kinds of instruments including Dobsonians.  

This forces the manufacturers to compromise on wall height.

The door faces south so could offer a limited view for a reflector if needed.

Here are the rails at the back of the dome for the up-and-over shutter.

A closer look at the other side of the dome showing the shutter itself.

Some domes have a drop down panel  at the base of the slit supported on cords. This can catch the wind and always looks very untidy to my eye. Usually the problem is that the panel is hinged outside the shutter rails. If it was simply hinged inside the rails it could drop down to rest flat against the wall. 

Click on any image for an enlargement.

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