With its pyramid shape, the P300 observatory pillar, like the smaller P200, is designed for maximum load-bearing capacity without compromise.
- Easily supports 100 kg of telescope weight with extremely low vibration
- The pyramid shape with an octagonal base and conical shape ensures maximum rigidity with low weight
- Large base area for optimum transfer of forces into the ground
- Internal floor screw connection, therefore no trip hazards at night
At the upper end, the pyramid has a cross-section corresponding to that of a round tube with a diameter of 300 mm, but in the lower area, where the forces are greatest, the comparable diameter has already increased to 500 mm in the 1000 mm version. The rigidity follows the diameter to the third power: the diameter, which has increased to 500 mm, is therefore significantly superior to a steel tube with a diameter of 300 mm and a wall thickness of 15 mm in the particularly critical load case of "bending"! Almost more important than the pure diameter is the conical shape, which ensures that the forces acting on the material are largely transferred as much less harmful tensile stress and vibrations are greatly reduced. Through the precise coordination of wall thickness, cross-section and angle of inclination, we achieve maximum rigidity with a very low dead weight – this means that the P300 is still easy to handle with muscle power despite its high load-bearing capacity.
The openings near the floor can be closed to fill the observatory column with sand for additional stability. An adjustable 4-point arrangement forms the particularly rigid transition from the welded pyramid to the machined precision surface for mounting the telescope.
The mounting plate is made of stainless steel and has a standard diameter of 290 mm. The column supports large mounts, such as:
- 10 Micron GM3000/4000
- AOK V48/ WAM8000/LM300
- Astro Physics 1600/3600
- Astelco NTM
- Fornax 100/102/152
- Knopf MK70/100
- Software Bisque ME II/Taurus
- Richard Bauer, Manfred Mauz, Sideres
Please let us know your mount when ordering. We will provide you with a quote for a suitable mounting plate.
The pyramid is made of sheet steel and comes with a white powder coating as standard. This surface finish makes it resistant to normal climatic conditions, but it can be coated with additional corrosion protection for unprotected outdoor use. For extreme conditions, it can be manufactured entirely from stainless steel.
There are two options for anchoring the mount (see "Recommended accessories"):
- Anchoring kit 1 for existing concrete surfaces
- Anchoring kit 2 if new concrete needs to be poured
The observatory column consists of two components: the pyramid and the pyramid head. You can then attach the adaptor that fits your mount to the pyramid head.
