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PREVIEW OF THE TELE-STATION 6 SPLIT ROLL-OFF ROOF OBSERVATORY

Pier-Tech Trademark Pier-Tech, Inc. is a US based manufacturing company. The company was established for the purpose of making fixed and portable Piers that can accept astronomical German Equatorial or Fork Mounts or other instruments. In time they expanded their production to develop astronomical observatories with slide-off roof, and most recently in 2008 they expanded production to include observatory domes for use by professional and home astronomical observatories, and planetaria constructed of galvanized steel in diameters from 8 feet (2.4m) up to 30 foot 6 inches (9.3 meters)! So by 2008 Pier-Tech was offering almost everything that an amateur or professional astronomer could want to house their telescope or other project.

Tele-Station 6 Split Panel Roll Off Roof Observatory Company Seven became aware of this developing company because of their increasing selection of roll-off roof observatories and telescope piers. And even though we do offer observatory domes for sale, and our own observatory is in a superb dome, there were times when we deduced that our customer might be better served with a roll-off roof observatory and we therefore would recommend Pier-Tech as the first choice. While no observatory structural arrangement is a perfect solution since each brings with it some compromises, there are instances when the roll-off roof arrangement may be preferred over a dome.

There will be locations where space is limited, where there is not enough space to accommodate the movement to the side of the conventional Tele-Station single panel roof, and for these instances Pier-Tech developed the Tele-Station 6. In development for some years, the first model was completed in July 2008 for installation in a western State.

Right: three views of the Tele-Station 6 Observatory with roof panels slid open.
Click on image to see enlarged four view image (122,678 bytes).

Advantages Of A Roll-Off Roof Observatory:

  • when the observer prefers to have a more 'open to the sky' experience, free to glance from horizon to horizon

  • the open roof arrangement allows the instruments to reaches thermal equilibrium faster than in a dome. And this eliminates the possibility of having a 'chimney effect' develop as hot air rises up and through the open slit of a dome.

  • with the roll-off roof completely retracted there is no need to buy complicated and costly Dome automation equipment and software to keep the Dome shutter opening tracking along with the telescope

  • when the owner prefers to have a lower profile structure that does not readily advertise the presence of a telescope

  • when the owner prefers (or spouse demands) to have a lower profile structure that blends better than a dome with the associated architecture

  • makes the best sense at sites where protection from high winds is not a concern

  • provides shielding from lower placed neighboring lights

This Makes Tele-Station 6 Particularly Attractive:
    1. Unique split roof design assures protection of the contents and longevity. The Tele-Station 6 has two aluminum roof segments that slide apart from each other; each segment consists of five panels and overlapping for good waterproofness. And these have overlapping seams assuring a complete waterproof seal.

    2. The roll-off roof panel is supported without outriggers or unsightly and space-wasting exterior support tracks and framing. Track supports telescope in and out to support the roof as it moves. See the video at right to understand how unobtrusive this arrangement can be on the Tele-Station 2.

    3. The Tele-Station 6 is a low-profile roll-off roof component sold with a short wall section. So a customer can buy Tele-Station 6 and install it atop any structure, this can usually be accomplished with our supplied anchoring hardware. If you would like to build your own substructure, but have difficulty with the roll off roof portion, this is the option for you. We will supply the roof, roll off assembly as a complete package. All you have to do is bolt it to your existing substructure.

    4. Tele-Station 6 is designed for mounting to an existing building structure with the supplied short wall, and with brackets for attachment onto your substructure perimeter ledge. It can also be mounted to a home roof for converting a loft or attic into an observatory. It is shipped in wall and roof sections, as a complete package ready for assembly. All you have to do is bolt it to your existing substructure. Typical assembly time is about six (6) hours.

    5. The roll-off roof segments are driven by two electric motors, and controlled by a remote control. And if power to the motorized system fails, then the roof segments can be operated manually.

    6. This is an aesthetically pleasing design with choice of exterior panel colors. Its unique aluminum framing is slotted along the entire Tele-Station exterior walls so that the exterior can be covered to blend in even better with its surrounds.

    7. Pier-Tech has engineered a comprehensive array of accessories for their observatories including:

      • Pier-Tech has developed a comprehensive solution not only of observatories but also offers telescope motorized elevating Piers that extend and retract beyond the roof level. This means one can observe from horizon to zenith!

      • Optional Control Systems to permit complete remote operation of the observatory with commands transmitted by hardwire or by cellular communications. The Tele-Station 6 includes two motors and so by using the Pier-Tech 2 or higher capacity Pier-Tech 3, all controlled by the Advanced Observatory Control Software & Hardware, operation from the comfort of your own home or from another part of the world is easy!

      • Solar Panel Power System to operate remote installations or simply for those who wish to make an environmental statement.

    8. Pier-Tech products are engineered and provided largely assembled and with good documentation so that installation and set up will go smoothly - even for the mere mortal. For example walls and roof panels bolt together using only one (1) tool, a supplied Allen wrench!!!

    9. Tele-Station can be disassembled and relocated easily. And so reuse of the space is facilitated for the next occupant of the property.

    10. Company Seven can provide as much support as the customer prefers: consulting and sales, facility preparation (foundation work, utilties, permits), construction, systems integration, and operator training. Just tell us what type of telescope and mount you have, and we can take care of the rest.

    11. Company Seven preaches "the best telescope is the one that gets used". And so the convenience of having the telescope set up in an observatory, with the mount aligned and ready to go increases the instances when the owner will enjoy the night sky.

Above Right: Click on image to see the streaming video of the single segment roll-off roof Tele-Station 2 Observatory with the Pier-Tech 2 elevating Pier.
Video will download in Apple Quicktime format. The one minute presentation amounts to 31,166,260 bytes.

Product Gallery  click on the picture to view enlarged image


Tele-Station 6 Roof Closed
 
Tele-Station 6 Roof Drive Section
 
Pier-Tech automation hardware and Wi-Fi module

 

For Tele-Station 6 pricing and availability information Contact C7

 



Tele-Station 6 Is Available In Your Choice Of 12 Colors:


White
 
Sunset Red
 
Bright Yellow
 

Royal blue
 
Candy Apple Red
 
Ivy Green
 

Raven Black
 
Silver Metallic
 
Matte Black
 

Ivory
 
Regal Bronze
 
Sand Beige