Observatory with adjustable walls

[rogerg]

Hi all,

Has anyone constructed or seen an observatory, RoR style, with adjustable height walls? I have plans to build one but it'd be wise to confer with someone who already has, if such a thing has been done in the past.

Regards,
Roger.

[Somnium]

Hi Roger, my observatory has the roof partially rolling off, check the links in my signature for details. not sure if that is what you are after though

[rogerg]

Not really Somnium. RoR yes, but I'm talking about walls that can be lowered or raised as well as the roof rolling off.

Regards,
Roger.

[michaellxv]

I saw one online once that had fold down walls. It may have been one from this list (http://obs.nineplanets.org/obs/obslist.html) which I had forgotten I had.

Michael.

[rogerg]

Wow, that page has quite a list!

I remember a fold-down wall design too. Not exactly what I'm thinking of but good thought to find that one again.

Thanks

[Tinderboxsky]

The University of Tasmania built three such sheds at their Mount Pleasant site. Two have been made available to the Astronomical Society of Tasmania for use as their observing site.
I have found a photo of one of the sheds on their Facebook page. The left hand half of the roof rolls back on the exposed rails you can see in the photo. You can also see the wall panel that hinges down and rests in a horizontal position supported by a post that is just visible in the photo. An equivalent panel hinges down on the opposite wall.
Unfortunately there are some design faults. The most serious is that the sheds are too high, restricting the amount of visible sky. The solution is to raise the scope and floor in that half of the shed.
Let me know if you would like more info or more photos to show the detailed design solutions.

Steve

[rogerg]

Yes, interesting design, I can see some problems. Raising the floor/telescope height would reduce the problem of the horizons but then you introduce the problem that either the telescope must be parked before the roof closes, or you can't fit as large a telescope :) It's a catch 22. :(

[GrampianStars]

G'day Roger
Mine's been operational since 2001

[rogerg]

Thanks Robert. I think it's yours I must have seen a photo of in the past. I presume your walls need to be up for the roof to then roll along the top of those walls?

[GrampianStars]

G'day Roger
Yes the walls need to be up and latched http://www.utebits.com.au/WebRoot/ecshared01/Shops/utebits/4D5B/3F47/C872/873C/CFE6/C0A8/D241/D7A6/9481-L.jpg before rolling on flat steel plate
internal e/w size is 3 meters, n/s size is 3.5 meters
East North & West walls drop down to 1.5 meters, the fold down sections are 0.5 meters.
I have since this picture installed out-riggers on the walls so they only fold down 90 deg as they are quite heavy.