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  #1  
Old 24-03-2008, 10:53 PM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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Talking Let construction BEGIN! An observatory is born. - Getting there - 26-04-2010

After much dithering and drawing and research and belt tightening, an observatory is born. I'll update as things progress, here are the first two weeks activities with a before shot to start with.

A basic overview: A split level observatory (due to the slope of the block) 6x3 meters (If you haven't read/heard the story, the short version is my lovely partner said "Are you sure 3x3 metres is going to be big enough , so it's 6x3). Basically 2 Titan garden sheds joined back to back. The long dimensions run SE (lower end) to the NE. Positioned as close to the front boundary as councilly possible , which puts it at the highest point of a very sloping block. A good 150 metres to the creek at the bottom.

Rather than excavate great whopping cut and fills everything will be on stumps. The whole construction apart from the floor itself will be steel and villaboard/hardiflex. I believe in overkill. Plus if I ever need a doghouse I will be safe and comfortable in a cyclone. Plus stumps will get me higher off the ground.

I've included some of the plans I've been drawing so you can try to get an idea of how it will look when it's finished and how it will sit on the site. As mentioned before the first shot is a before shot taken a few weeks ago, then a shot from last Friday after finishing the profiles and then from yesterday after a few hours of pick, shovel and crowbar. There are 15 postholes all up plus a good bit of excavation. I feel fitter already.

Anyway, now that it is underway I'll post weekly updates hopefully (well at least fortnightly) as construction proceeds. I hope you get some ideas for your own observatory out of this adventure.
Attached Thumbnails
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Click for full-size image (03 Plan view 1 (Medium).jpg)
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Last edited by [1ponders]; 01-03-2010 at 04:21 PM.
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  #2  
Old 24-03-2008, 11:04 PM
Zuts
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Not only an observatory but dark skies to match

Hey, if ever you want to time share in Glebe .....

Congratulations on the new arrival.

Paul
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  #3  
Old 24-03-2008, 11:15 PM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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Thanks Paul, but no thanks. I lived in Toxteth Rd for about 18 months. That was enough light pollution for me.


Oh and yesssss, when it's not cloudy and full moon it is VERY dark

The view down the valley is the view to the South West.
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  #4  
Old 24-03-2008, 11:28 PM
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If only I had the room. Wish I had your dark sky as well, would save me alot of petrol the way my bloody car drinks it

Matt
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  #5  
Old 25-03-2008, 05:47 AM
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joshman (Josh)
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oooooooooohhh, very nice paul!!!! i sure hope you're having an old fashioned first light party
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  #6  
Old 25-03-2008, 05:57 AM
Alchemy (Clive)
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fantastic , once the observatory is up your time at the scope becomes more fun. no setting up or packing up, just nip out for a quick look... its all good.
love your location and its so GREEN (dried brown here); will watch your progress.

cheers clive.
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  #7  
Old 25-03-2008, 07:20 AM
Dennis
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Top stuff Paul - you'll be in heaven when it’s completed.

Cheers

Dennis
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  #8  
Old 25-03-2008, 07:26 AM
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iceman (Mike)
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I love and hate these DIY observatory construction threads..

I love looking at people's homegrown observatories but it makes me SOOO jealous and want one of my own!

Looks unreal Paul, can't wait to see the outputs once it's completed.
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  #9  
Old 25-03-2008, 07:57 AM
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sheeny (Al)
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Well... I'm envious!

Looks good Paul! Looking forward to see it progress!

Al.
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  #10  
Old 25-03-2008, 09:07 AM
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peter_4059 (Peter)
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Beautiful location too Paul. Looks like it is going to be a big project from the sketches.
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  #11  
Old 25-03-2008, 09:19 AM
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Lee
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Looks great! We are going to need a LOT of pics as you build.....
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  #12  
Old 25-03-2008, 09:32 AM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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it exciting that is for sure. I'll include sketches of how the roof will work etc as I move along.
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  #13  
Old 25-03-2008, 10:00 AM
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astroron (Ron)
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I will be sure to pop in and view the progress first hand as well give one if needed
Ron
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  #14  
Old 25-03-2008, 10:33 AM
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RB (Andrew)
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Awesome Paul, will be following this with great interest.
Can't wait to see the finished project.

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  #15  
Old 25-03-2008, 11:56 AM
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xstream (John)
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I still can't see my concrete slab in any of those photo's.

It looks like it's going to be a ripper Paul. Don't worry I'll still be there to check it out.
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  #16  
Old 25-03-2008, 01:21 PM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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I've run out of shovels John. Maybe you can find me one
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  #17  
Old 25-03-2008, 02:48 PM
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Terry B
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alchemy View Post
fantastic , once the observatory is up your time at the scope becomes more fun. no setting up or packing up, just nip out for a quick look... its all good.
love your location and its so GREEN (dried brown here); will watch your progress.

cheers clive.
Green is not necessarily good. Takes lots of rain to make a paddock that green. ?clear skies


Great start to the observatory.
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  #18  
Old 25-03-2008, 03:58 PM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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Clear skies, what are they?
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  #19  
Old 25-03-2008, 04:27 PM
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xstream (John)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by [1ponders] View Post
I've run out of shovels John. Maybe you can find me one
I'll send the son in law up, what do you want? Bobcat, D9, Grader, excavator, backhoe, you take your pick! Shovels are for wimps.
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  #20  
Old 25-03-2008, 06:19 PM
Alchemy (Clive)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry B View Post
Green is not necessarily good. Takes lots of rain to make a paddock that green. ?clear skies

oops id forgotten what rain was .

hope that observatory is weatherproof then.
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