Dear fellows and friends of watching and searching the universe

The Vorarlberger Amateur Astronomen (VAA) - hobby astronomers - are looking to get a observatory for their region, but it seems to be a little more difficult then the theory pictures. Especially when at certain events in other countries people rush for public observatories, the absence of these facilities in Vorarlberg is just too obvious. This is why I have come up with "Project Sirius Alpha” (PSA). There is no more disability from administrative bodies and their permission, only the need of the sticker from the Austrian "TÜV" is required. This means the authorization to drive this vehicle on the road, and thats not a problem as I was informed. Nonetheless the VAA are not partners of PSA or involved persons.

A new era allways beginns with something new and ventured, something that change the world like someone told. I dont want to change the world just let here be like she is. Notwithstanding PSA should be an enrichment for people doing research and education in astronomy. It started in autum 2005. PSA makes the beginning in a new way of doing research and education with telescopes and the needed instruments for development. The initiator of this giant project is unfortunately diseased and not in the state to make the web presentation like the project requires it. Not only the web presentation, likewise the whole project seem to be a striking touchstone in his life because of the novelty and the pessimism that result in it. May I be blessed or not, I am convinced of this undertaking as such, but I know my strength is little and the time runs. Nevertheless this can - hopefully will be - as an innovative foundation, a guideline for other people. Doing research and thinking about the universe is an remunerative work and also inspires us to think about our beeing and the creation. This english information is an small attempt to figure the prime corner marks of my project. But it can also inspire other for better or similar ones.

Project "Sirius Alpha" should be the first mobile star observatory worldwide, which will have the proportions of a normal coach and wich will be placed in a bus. A 13-15 meter long rolling observatory – a mobile research and training facility for watching and observing the heaven. With it, it is possible to watch stars, comets, planets or nebulae and with special filters the sun. Also it should be equipped with an spectrometer, photometer and other useful measurement devices. Because of being a mobile system it is possible to escape bad weather. Worldwide there exists no project like this – only similar ones, but not of this magnitude or technical equipment. To enable a flawless and accurate handling of the telescope it has to be decoupled from the vehicle during observation, but during transport it has to be fixed inside the bus. Fortunately I have resolved this problem to the benefit of the community of the hobby astronomers as well as the professionals. That was, indeed, the prime prerequisite to realize the idea of a mobile observatory in a bus. A world novelty at this magnitude. The decouplingsystem is transferable to other vehicles like cars or delivery trucks or other kind of vehicles like trailers.

With my modest means – and so many ideas – I am working on a model of the bus observatory Sirius Alpha, to a good means of presentation and demonstration. The solution of PSA will be elaborated from a designer and myself to 3D-CAD files. This will take time and the result will be published first here on this plattform. Conditionaly trough my ill health I am retired and thereby I have more time for disposal. But an idea and time alone are not a guarantor, economic support is asked and also visonaries prospected. The "Project Sirius Alpha Forum" (PSAF) welcomes suchlike international co-workers and idea givers. So hopefully PSA will find support.



Yours faithfully
Julijo Barnjak
Projectcoordinator