INTERIOR LIGHTING FOR AN EXPLORADOME OBSERVATORY

[RDoscher]

Good Evening:

Any suggestions on interior lighting for an 8' wide / 9' tall ExploraDome Observatory?

Thanks for any assistance you can send my way.

Richard

[AdkStars]

I use red rope lights like what you see around Christmas time at Mall Mart.I strung 2 sets together and tacked them around the walls under the eves.I have a square 10x10 building.I also added a light dimmer to it and I can adjust the level of intensity.Plus it saves my night vision.Hope this is of help.Rick

[lindendave]

Richard,

I do something similar to Rick except that I found an extension cord with a built in dimmer switch, at Home Depot I think. My observing room is also 10' square and I strung mine just about two feet off the floor to keep most of the light down low.

[RDoscher]

Thank you guys.

Pouring the pier for the scope today.  Exploradome should be on the way.  I'll post some photos when everything is complete.

Richard

[drclay]

Best of luck and congratulations on the new observatory....both the rope lights and the dimmer switch are highly recommended.  You will need both a strong white light (for working on equipment) as well as variable red lighting for use with the telescope.  Many times a red display on a computer screen is enough to provide adequate night vision lighting for the interior of any observatory.

Dr. Clay