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  #21  
Old 18-05-2010, 06:52 PM
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astroron (Ron)
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What a work of art, looks better than a professional observatory.
Awesome
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  #22  
Old 19-05-2010, 09:27 PM
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Sandy Ridge Observatory

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Thanks for the compliments guys. The materials cost far less than the cost of "a bought one" but I did invest hundreds of hours of my own time.

However, the result has made an amazing difference to my observing time. Previously, setting up the LX90 on the tripod on the front lawn would happen about twice a month (if that), whereas now I observe up to three or four times a week (eight times this month so far) and it takes just 5 minutes to be underway.

Chris
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  #23  
Old 21-05-2010, 06:14 AM
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spearo (Frank)
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Beautiful work Chris
Quite the achievement!
well done
frank
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  #24  
Old 26-05-2010, 02:04 PM
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This is the most amazing observatory I have ever seen! I am actually close to tears. I want to pull mine down and start again!!

Beautiful, skilled, professional job there mate! Big salute!

Baz.
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  #25  
Old 28-05-2010, 10:21 PM
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Hi Chris, out of interest did you have to get council approval or anything like that?

I spoke with my local council once and as much as I tried to explain to them what it was all I got was the old "rabbit in the headlights" stare back at me. Their comment eventually was that it sounds like a garden shed for which I don't need approval, that is fine with me.

Cheers
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  #26  
Old 29-05-2010, 08:39 AM
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Hi Ric,

A probing question, and the short answer is no.

I went to the local council office first to enquire whether I would need a planning permit, and since I live on a few acres with lots of trees, the neighbours were not going to be visually affected by the construction, so the simple answer was that no Planning Permit was needed. (Some years previously, I did have to obtain a Planning Permit for a tower that I erected here.) I think that they also asked about project cost, and at the time I thought that it would be well under the figure that they stated.

However, I then asked about a building permit. This function was outsourced from the Council so I rang around a number of building surveyors. My enquiries were met with widely-varying answers. Finally, I found one who was actively looking to help me proceed without the need for a permit. I don't know why the others did not follow the same rules, or even themselves have a consistent approach.

The criteria that the project had to meet (to not need a building permit) were:
  • Does not need a Planning Permit
  • Walls not greater than 3 m high (this doesn't include the dome)
  • Is not built of masonry
  • Is not more than 10 square metres in plan
  • Can be called a "shed" (which of course it is)
Apart from the extra cost of a permit ($450 min), I am sure glad that I did not have to debate the plan for this circular construction.

Chris
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  #27  
Old 29-05-2010, 08:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bloodhound31 View Post
This is the most amazing observatory I have ever seen! I am actually close to tears. I want to pull mine down and start again!!

Beautiful, skilled, professional job there mate! Big salute!

Baz.
Baz, your own obs is a nice piece of work too, and an encouragement to many others.

Chris
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  #28  
Old 29-05-2010, 09:03 AM
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Chris

That is brilliant! Well done and great viewing to you. It's inspiring, but it's also not going to happen for me - at least not at that level.

Cheers
John
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  #29  
Old 29-05-2010, 09:42 AM
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I'll see my previous "impressive" and raise it two "very"s!

Wow!

Al.
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  #30  
Old 29-05-2010, 10:05 AM
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Incredible !!!
Excellent work Chris.

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  #31  
Old 29-05-2010, 08:40 PM
ausastronomer (John Bambury)
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Excellent job Chris,

That is actually a very similar design to one of Steven Lee's private observatories near Coonabarabran. The only difference being Steve's "dome" houses a 20" dob and doesn't have the pier. Having been built many years ago, the downstairs section of Steve's observatory has now accumulated an amazing collection of homebuilt telescopes and ATM parts, as opposed to your computer setup. Steve actually has his imaging setup in a roll off roof observatory.

Cheers,
John B
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  #32  
Old 19-06-2010, 08:44 PM
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I like it!

Building Observatories is just a great thing.

Cheers,
Brett
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  #33  
Old 28-06-2010, 10:13 AM
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Excellent obs
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  #34  
Old 28-06-2010, 11:13 AM
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What a beautiful observatory. You are living the dream!
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  #35  
Old 30-06-2010, 07:01 PM
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Wow, that gives a hole new meaning to going to the shed. What an observatory, truely amazing.
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  #36  
Old 27-08-2010, 10:24 PM
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Do you have a website yet Chris?
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  #37  
Old 29-08-2010, 08:53 PM
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Not yet Barry - it's a bit like the obs construction project: it took a couple of years. I'll give a yell when it's up and going.

Cheers, Chris
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  #38  
Old 31-08-2010, 12:57 PM
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cybereye (Mario)
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I've just discovered this thread. OMG!!! WOW!!!

Cheers,
Mario

PSI wonder if I should show the pictures in this thread to my wife....
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  #39  
Old 11-09-2010, 01:01 PM
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Wow. Certainly a very impressive construction for an amateur observatory - looks very professional.
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  #40  
Old 11-09-2010, 09:55 PM
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An amazing work of art. Defintely no shed.

Regards
Fahim
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