Mount Beauty Cottage Observatory

[Mckechg (Grant)]

Hi Guys,

for 2 years I have read and re-read all the Ob's being built via this forum. Today I get to post my Project and the progress this weekend.

My Family and I have a place up near mount Beauty in North East Victoria, the sky is dark but not perfect. About a rating SQM 21.4-6

Occasional haze from the wood fires in the surrounding houses but all in all a pretty amazing sky.

Adrian (Astro Buddy * Fellow NEVAS member) and I built a Roll off type model, converting 1/2 of my garage, which after pulling down some of the wood, I am surprised it was still standing. (would have also like to have known prior to walking on the roof).

The observational Area is about 3.3m wide and 2.8 long. View to the South is 32 Deg, West is 40ish Deg, East 30ishDeg and North will be about 27-30deg.

I have lots of photos and tried to make it as detailed as possible, as thats what I always looked for to get ideas. (they will not upload from work, so will add)

We routed two 6m (total) lengths of 90mm/90mm laminated pine for the rollers and it now slides very easily.

We will be putting two piers in so we can have our mounts side by side when we observe.

There is a time-lapse of the whole build here -> https://youtu.be/9turnTJU8iQ

Thanks for reading

[gavcol (G)]

G'day Grant

Well done, must be a great feeling to have your project on its way after so much waiting. Maybe this is what I need, just can't get the missus to agree in the idea.

Loved the time lapse video. Watch the whole thing.

Keep us all updated with photos from the inside and the fitting out.

Thanks for sharing

Gavin

[alistairsam]

well done G and A.
Major milestone. Love the timelapse.

Alistair

[RickS (Rick)]

Nice work, Grant! I feel tired just watching the time lapse

[gregbradley]

Great time lapse.

Greg.

[Mckechg (Grant)]

The working roof video

https://youtu.be/3rD9qxWD6jo

Needs to made a little smoother.

g./

[Mckechg (Grant)]

This weekend we managed to install the Solar panel and roughed in the power, a stud wall to separate the Ob from the garage.

I wish i had of bought the nail gun for phase 1.... All i am saying!

The flashing is now complete with a nice test with some tropical style rain after we installed the flashing, great news is the ob was dry as a (insert really dry thing here)

it will be a few weeks before I get up, however I have the winch and cable and pulleys ready to go for the first live run.

Progress is on track with a few suprises. Planning is the key.