I was wondering how many people do infact have permanent observatories. I'm thinking of building a simple shed myself to save sometime carrying and setting up my equipment. It is such a hassle especially with heaps of cables and i do infact get abit lazy at times even though my commitment towards astrowork is 200%. And plenty of times after when you setup your equipment expecting a good night the clouds comes and ruin your night.. geeee's don't you hate that?
I have attached a pic what i have to setup every imaging session . Sitting on that blue plastic chair in the Melbourne cold isn't much fun either.
Well, I don't actually have to carry my gear very far. Just drive the car to the site, open the tailgate, take the dob base out & put the tube on. Then, if I decide to use the Magellan 1's, I assemble them, (if dark enough, will align etc) & after that, I grab my chair, thermos n bikkies & go for a chat n cuppa, while it all cools down. It's great to watch & kibbitz while the other guys take ages to set-up all their 'hitech' stuff. (J/K) L.
I'm in the process of building one right now. After completing my pier I build the walls to a 2.4 m sq by 2.1 metre high dwelling, and have just made the rotating base ring for the roof (which swivels well) and have started adding ribs to the roof. I hope to have it finished with about 2-3 days work. Then the next step is to motorise the dome's turning to synchronise with the scope!
I'll post some piccys once its done if folk are interested.
Best thing I ever did build my observatory....even though it's in the Brisbane suburbs it was well worth the time and efort I put into it....if I was only into visual observing then I wouldn't worry about it too much..I would just buy a big dob and put it on wheel's...but if I had to set up all my imaging equipment every time I wanted to use it then I'm afraid it would not get used very often.
As it is now I can be set up ready to go roll off the roof and start imaging within 2 minutes....and about the same time to shut it all down and close the roof.
I don't have an observatory but it would be nice. My scopes are stored in the sleepout next to the backdoor just a couple of metres from where I observe so it is not a drama to set up for a nights viewing.
Eric, is that my old 4.5" Dork Smith Newt you're using as a guidescope?
Yes, build the observatory! Your setup certainly looks like it needs a permanent home.
Cheers guys thanks for the reply. I guess imaging guys will need an observatory while observers don't really need one? Takes me a good hour or more just to setup the entire thing
Hey welcome back Steve. didn't know your back. hehe yeah that is your 4 inch newt. It was my guidescope until i got a 80mm replacement
wouldnt say that eric. observers need an observatory (hence the name) just as much as an imager! all the benefits are the same after all. unfortunately i dont have one so i am in the same position as you having to set up... but not 1 hours worth
in order
set up table for computer
extension cord from laundry to table
lappy bought out and set up
mount bought out
weights put on mount
telescope put on mount
ballance scope
set up 2 chairs( one at lappy and high chair at scope
bring out and eyepieces to be used and or plug in lpi
If I had that much stuff to set up I would hate setting it up and pulling it down each time and would probably observe a lot less. An observatory is necessary for you my friend
Also building one myself at the moment, mines a 5 meter diameter geodesic a 4V 130 triangles that make up a tesalating hexagon pentagon half sphere..coming along nicely, will post pics soon...
I have always been a 'DOME' person. Not only because, to me, they look like observatories, but also because of the severe winters we have here. The protection given by only allowing a slot to open is appealing.
BUT!!!
I was out doing a final measure on my set-up 2 days ago to find out the minimum size dome I will need to build. The Diameter of scope movement with my 12" on the EQ is 8'4". Then I hopped up on the ladder to measure the height I would need.
Whilst doing this height measurement I said to myself "Now, when I am observing with the EP about here . . . hey, I don't observe with this set-up!"
It was then that I realised that I don't need a Dome as I spend all my time sitting in my little cubby house controlling everything, which keeps me out of the weather anyway.
When I observe by eye I always use my Dob base! When the 12" is on the EQ it is for imaging.
I really have no need of a dome at all!!! As much as they look 'Observatoryish' I can happily do without.
So . . . the new decision is to make a comfortable room for the 'Mission Control' centre, and just a removable (or slide off) cover for the Mount & Scope.
All this is about to happen.
In my voting above I had to tick 'I don't have an observatory but planning to build one' only because with my current set-up I have to bring the scope inside. Mount, pooters, cables etc all stay outside. So I'm sort of half and half at the moment.
For me observing out in the open is no problem, setting up is not a problem, taking AVI's of planets is no problem but long exposures ARE a problem if the scopes not housed to protect it from wind etc.
Guess I don't know how lucky I am. Had my observatory for 33 years, and used it more this year than the last 10 years put together. After getting a new scope, imaging gear and comming across IIS, meeting some nice people, the enthusiasm has had a new spark.
Hi Eric, a perminent observatory is a must if you want to get out every clear night with minimum fuss and stress. To have it in your back yard is just another bonus. It all gets harder with setting up when you get seriously into say imaging.
Many times I've walked out to my observatory and setup, began imaging, walked inside the house to begin down loads, then discovered the guide star was total lost. Walk outside, not a star to be found... close the hatch, shut down, walk back inside the house and then walk outside again a little while later only to find the sky is full of stars.....
Do this with a whole swag of gear a few times and you'll be kicking the dog...
I built my observatory at the begining of the year ,its just a garden shed with a slide off roof and it works like a bought one.its just so easy to go out at night and have everything ready to go in five minutes.at the moment I do not have power to the shed,and the hardest part is rolling out the power lead.In fact the roof is slid back now ,and i will be viewing shortly.
L.
Takes me a good hour or more just to setup the entire thing 
