Post a pic of your Observatory!

[iceman]

Use this thread to post pics of your observatory!

[Moon]

Ok I'll go first. Completed last year with the help of my brother, it features a roll-over roof design to save garden space.

Unpainted/Roof Closed:
72492

Painted/Roof Open:
72491

James

[[1ponders]]

I'll update my link as needed ;)

Construction can be seen here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=30065)

[Quark]

Hi All,

I have posted a link to the photo albums section of my website where I have an album for images of my observatory plus albums for my peltier cooler and imaging setup.

http://trevsastronomy.webs.com/apps/photos/

Regards
Trevor

[bird]

Not so much an observatory as a shed + concrete slab + pier + wooden fence, but it does the job :-)

cheers, Bird

[TheDecepticon]

And we know what a great job it has done, too!!:eyepop:

[DavidU]

Damn right ! I second that......

[rogerg]

6x3 with 3x3 open half. Roll-off-roof.

http://www.rogergroom.com/items/ObservatoryImages_185

[pmrid]

TenChain Hill Obs. Started life as a paddock shelter for horses. 5 x 4 metres - 2 piers and scopes, wireless networked. Those trees are not as close as this perspective makes them appear.

Peter.

[sheeny]

Here's mine:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=70413

Feel free to use the "Show more from this thread..." button to see the others;).

Al.

[h0ughy]

all the photos are here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=70702)

[[1ponders]]

Very nice Dave. :D I thought i would never see this day. :cool:

[kinetic]

Mine is a bit of an obscure but cheap alternative to the
mainstream. It's made of polystyrene foam triangles and is
a geodesic hemisphere. Copied from a brilliant DIY step by step
guide written by the designer Joe Garlitz. There are dozens
of Joe's design around the world now and quite a few in Australia.

Mine started out originally with a skin of a hybrid type of
papier-mache (don't laugh) , which lasted about 6 years then
I re-skinned it with a concrete render. It sits on a 3 ft colourbond
wall and the scope is fully remote controlled.
It has also moved sideways a few metres so I could build a pool!
Made in 2000 and survived quite a few wild storms so far :)

A few construction details here if anyone is interested:
http://jfbo.webs.com/observatory.htm
http://jfbo.webs.com/domeconstructionpage4.htm


Steve

[astroron]

My 3mx3m roll of roof observatory plus 16" scope on one of the four concrete pads for use by visiting Astronomers:):stargaze:

[[1ponders]]

And what a lovely spot it is too Ron.

[jjjnettie]

Look, Ron has clear skies at his place!!

[DavidU]

Ron, what's that blue stuff in the upper part of the pic?

[astroron]

That is the normal scene at Cambroon:) the stuff that is pouring down from the sky at the moment :rain:is not the norm for Cambroon, but now and again the farmers need a top up of their dams:lol:

[leon]

Well here is mine, the whole thing rolls away. :lol:

Leon :thumbsup:

[astroron]

Great setup Leon,pretty cool:cool2::cool2:

[marc4darkskies]

Domes are pretty :D

Construction sequence at: http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/observatory

Cheers, Marcus

[allan gould]

A copy of Marcus', David's and JohnG's observatories.
First light - a storm/downpour in SE Qld.

[pmrid]

Hi Leon. I like the idea of the layer of tarp across the roof proper. Thermal insulation?
Peter

[okiscopey]

Rocky Peak Observatory: structure designed and built for me by Brett (Bert on IIS).

3.6m x 5m on 100mm concrete slab. Welded steel with Colorbond cladding. 'Bubble foil' insulation in roof only.

Steel piers. The big one (for Mewlon 250) is isolated from slab on concrete footing approximately 0.45m diameter x 1.8m deep.

Roof halves operated by inverted garage door closers. Works perfectly!

Plenty of painting and learning still to do inside.

[jjjnettie]

:lol: I never got to use it, but it was mine for a few years.
4.2mt in diameter. Originally built by Gordon Jones, then it was donated to the Sunshine Coast Astronomical Society (i think) then was used by Glenn Lang who in turn, passed it on to me.

[Jen]

;) There is some nice looking observatories in here :thumbsup::thumbsup:
Yeah but im still in dream land for now :lol:

[MLyons]

I needed to setup my Meade 14"LX200R permanently as it was not getting used much because of the effort required to get the thing set up for an observing session and the danger of damaging the scope when carrying it around

I had very little space to work with and the missus insisted that it end up not looking like a tin hut or some outhouse.

I got one of those plastic sheds and replaced the roof with an aluminium roller-shutter door.


Waterproofing was done with adhesive PVC sheeting used on outdoor signboards.

It works like a bomb and is totally maintenance free as there's no timber to treat every year and no steel to rust.

[cristian abarca]

Here are a few pictures of my observatory. I just have to put a few finishing touches on it and it's done. I should have it finished tomorrow.

Cristian

[macsen2]

Under $5oo and works well...........What more do you want ? WHO SAID PLENTY ?.............Similar to stitch and glue method,fiberglass finish,suits my F5.3 mak-newt and 4" triplet..............waterproof ? FOREVER.................Stick it on the corner of your existing shed [experienced almost cyclonic conditions,not a drop inside] MDF base,3 layers of chop strand mat[cost of mat and resin $200,tube ring 30mm $100,,,,,mdf plus all other material $70.. 7 feet in diameter,but easy enough to make them any size,just a little bit of extra cost.........................Whats the other $130 for?......to fit it onto your existing shed............................... .......MAC

[GrampianStars]

Inside of My Roll of Roof Obs
Luckily survived the 05' 06' Bushfires Flames came within 10mt.
Gets some severe visual use all year round by locals and OS visitors to the Grampians region.

Should get the latest Atik 314 L+ Cam for some serious study on the quiet Dark :eyepop: nights

[TS225]

Hi All,
Recently completed installation of a 2.3m Sirius Home Dome in the back garden. The dome came with a pier, Takahashi EM200B mount and Takahashi TS225 plus a number of accessories. The installation took three weekends with the help of a builder with footing and floor. I will need to give the dome exterior a good clean as it is not as nice and bright as others in this thread.
I live in a rather windy town, Wellington NZ, and have a strap I run over the top as extra security in high winds. Is there any way of adding additional "hold downs' to this type of dome.
Cheers
John Field

[Barrykgerdes]

Here is my old observatory. It is now a storage shed with the dome removed. I built it in 2000 and removed the dome 2009 when I needed to down size. While it was up it housed 1st a LX200 10". Later a LX200GPS 12". It served the purpose admirably with a permantly aligned polar wedge.

Construction details http://barry.sarcasmogerdes.com/observatory/programs/Obsvatry.doc

[stevous67]

For those who have strict planning guidelines set by their wife, this is what can happen…



Regards,


Steve

[Jen]

:lol::lol: very nice Steve :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[leon]

Yep Steve, have to agree that is very impressive indeed.

Leon

[ballaratdragons]

I don't have this one any more (the weather finally killed it), but in its time it was the smallest known Roll-Off-Roof Observatory in the world.

It was 1200mm x 1200mm and 1200mm high.
It easily accommodated my EQ6 mount and ED80 :thumbsup:

A pic of the inside and here is a 'You Tube animation' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcQ-ma_WN6w) of my son Aaron opening it up when he was only 11 years old. :lol:

and here is the original thread about it: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=18115
inside: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29301

[stevous67]

Thanks Jen and Leon for the nice comments.

Cheers
Steve

[Jen]

:thumbsup: hey Steve has your wife had any input of the inside too ;) i would love to see some inside pics thanks :)

[Merlin66]

Based on a 8' x 6' Argos tin shed. Now three years old and relocated to Belgium. Does the job very well. Teamviewer remote control from the warm office.

[jenchris]

Slowly slowly - It's all useable and I'm up to 6 minutes without trails.
If only I could see a star for more than six minutes

[bloodhound31]

Now ASIGN Observatory II is complete, I suppose I can put a picture or few up.

[rogerg]

Beautiful, very well done.

It take it from the internal pics that it's two story? but it doesn't look that tall/big from the outside? Tardis?

[Astroman]

Brightsky Observatory III, almost complete, just waiting for the concrete now... (3 more sleeps...)

[Marke]

My little effort from last year . Running twelve months without the slightest
hickup , no spiders , moisture and very little dust I couldnt be happier :D

[bloodhound31]

Thank you sir! It's a little over 5 metres tall and 5 metres wide. That gives me enough room for a 2.4 ceiling downstairs with plenty of room for a solid observation deck above.

[Jen]

Wow mark and baz they look awsome well done :thumbsup: if I had that double storey one I would never leave it hahaha

[bloodhound31]

Thanks Jen! I do spend a lot of time in here. In fact I slept in here last night....

[Tiraki]

151995

151996

151997

151998

[Tiraki]

A few years back I built this observatory as cheap as. Based around 2.4 x 1.2 x 12mm ply. IOW it's an 8ft square. Didn't like roll-offs and couldn't afford a dome so I designed my own. A parting gable roof that rotates 360. Some drawbacks: I used polycarb roofing which is good for flexible overlapping (never leaks) but admits too much heat, and I should have made the roof structure out of sq. steel tube. Otherwise it works great. Only takes seconds to open and close.

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Keith that's a very clever design mate .

Brian.

[Hoges]

My 'chook shed' with the roll off roof. Been up for over 10 years now and surprisingly no problems. The pine fence palings are rubbish and warp terribly so there's a few gaps for the wind to get in. Rabbits have dug a little home underneath, there's been the odd rat and a couple of bats too so it sure aint vermin proof. I put some small alloy channel running the length of each side and each half of the roof sits on four plastic wheels with steel bearing inserts and it only requires a couple of fingers to open and close. Built on complete ignorance and very little carpentry skills but it works nicely for me. Pier is just four pine boards joined together, concreted in and filled with sand - pretty solid although there's some vibration if you kick it :D

[jenchris]

Kept mine simple
Standard shed with roll off roof.
Just had some trees around it thinned out.

[Scheimfluge]

Just completed 10'x10' a dream come true.

Geoff

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=177808&d=1424283569

[FlashDrive]

Looks real good Geoff .. very tidy ..:thumbsup:

Col....

[glend]

I finally got the door installed and can lock it up. Exterior is complete although I may add some solid side curtain boards at some point. The black plastic curtains have done a reasonable job so far but I'd like something a bit more professional looking. Working on the interior fitout now.

Build detailed here:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=1156583#post115658 3

[TraKtorman]

What now seems like long ago I did this.
Peter

[Joshua Bunn]

Neat bit of kit there Peter, What size OS scope? I assume its OS...

[TraKtorman]

Hi Josh, yes, it's an RC360. I got it about Aug 2011. Peter

[soundworthy]

Hi all,
So this is my diy backyard obsy.
It’s a standard type ROR with some nice features that fit nicely into the only space in our tine backyard.

[Somnium]

below is my observatory, it has a ROR and is operated remotely to take advantage of the dark (and apparently cloudy) skies

[Atmos]

From what I can tell your next project is some tree removal ;)

[Jen]

I'm soooo jealous ;) some of these observatories look amazing :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Somnium]

i know it looks bad but it is actually ok.the observatory was designed that the FOV would be unobstructed by trees, i.e. the roof and front mark the line of sight to the trees. i did however take down 2 trees in prep for the build but any more would be difficult as they are not on my property :sadeyes:. i still get most of the sky, it is the house that i need to demolish first :)

[Dealy]

I thought I'd better post a couple pics here as well as in the construction thread (here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=126198))

All ready and waiting for those elusive clear nights.

[salimant]

Looks good, does it get really warm inside in summer ?

[Dealy]

G'day Anthony,

No not really. The walls have sarking and are lined on the inside. The roof is insulated, so not much heat gets through there. There is ventilation from around the wheel/track area which also helps.

With the roof rolled back it cools down very quickly.

[Cosmic]

That's excellent Kev, your setup is something I aspire to.:thumbsup:

[croweater]

Shade for the pool area an added bonus:thumbsup: Very nice mate

[Dealy]

Thanks for the comments Daniel & Richard.

I don't roll the roof back for shelter on the deck. It probably wouldn't hurt but I don't like the idea of my scopes sitting in the sun.

Since taking the photos I've made up some shade cloth frames to fill in between the rails. Now the little lady can sip a cool drink on the deck without getting scorched.

[StephenRH]

Here are some photos of my observatory. The actual building is 7.2m long x 4.8m wide. The walls are 2.4m high to keep out the SW winds. But as you can see, part of the wall folds down on three sides – south, east and north – if I want to get closer to the horizon. Normally I have them up, and if any come down, it's usually the southern one so I can observe variables low in the south. The roof slides off to the west and that limits my westerly viewing. But that's OK as there is a mill and town to the west and the roof blocks out the slight glow. The roof slides off 2/3 of the way so that my chart room is always covered. as can be seen in the first photo.

The roof is very heavy but my builder said it needed to be to support the 4.8 m wide roof. I control it with two boat winches – one to slide it off and the other to slide it back.

The Observatory is about 80 metres up the hill from my house. It is great having it so handy, and the telescope is always set up ready to go. I have red lights on a rheostat in the chart room.

I have a decent electric fence around it now to keep the stock (cows and bulls) away.

It is idyllic up there under the stars, observing variables, listening to the radio and drinking coffee.

I will soon be putting my 28" f/3.3 SDM in there. It won't be long now.

[mynameiscd]

Hi all
This is my first post and I decided to share my work in progress observatory.
As im in the building game I get plenty of left over building products.
I used a 75mm foam core filled panel over steel stud frame.
I like the thermal properties and the light weight construction of the panel.
The roof slides apart so when its cold I can close up to just a small opening .
Ive rendered the walls to blend into the sandy scrub and my artist wife couldnt bare to look at a box so she got busy and decorated the outside. She keeps on trying to get to the walls inside as well.
The pier is a safety bollard with the bottom cut off set in concrete and core filled as well.
I still have a sand floor which can be a bit scary around astro gear but im doing the floor after I get the roof fully water tight.
We get driving rain here a alittle gets in.
Our closest neighbor is about 600 meters away and because of the dunes there is very little light pollution.
I'll keep udating as I go
Cheers
Andy

[bigjoe]

What great pieces of kit you have Peter!
Fits on the trailer and away you go.
bigjoe.

[bigjoe]

Looks great Aiden .I have to do something like this up at my 5 Acre property at Castelreagh soon.
bigjoe.

[jenchris]

Somewhat of a box but it is simple to use and quick to set up.

[Boozlefoot]

Hi Jennifer,
Just levelling my ob site and your clamshell looks great. Thinking myself of either geodisic dome, but yours looks pretty darn good. Any hints as to pitfalls when constructing, and any plans available? I'm going 3m dia and the ring will be sitting on a rock base. Cheers, Rod

[jenchris]

Hello.
My dome is made up using 2.4 x1.2 metre sheetsof 4mm marine ply. Simple reason to end up with a 1500 diameter dome.
If you go for a 3m dome. You're going to have to join the sheets longitudinally. Which is darn difficult when you want to put such a bend in. Unless you go for an apex oriented vertical segment design.
Mine was designed to be easily constructed by a wrinkly old chick on her own.
I made up the base rings with a rather inferior ply . I should have used 18mm good stuff.
And the flat roof section should also have been 18mm. False economy to go less.
The design was drafted by me in AutoCAD. Not hard to do but you need to be a little agile mentally unless you use it all the time.
I dont think a vertical segment system is a bad idea. I just felt it was more difficult to manoeuvre in construction.
If you look for Southern astronomical society magazine "Event Horizon"Jan edition on www.sas.org.au I did a blog and some pics. There's also some on the diy obsy forum on this site I think.
Cutting out the segments accurately is critical if you want it to conform to the plamned shape.

[jenchris]

On second thoughts, 3m diameter dome is pretty huge.
I wish you luck.
I can draft you the dome segment dimensions if you tell me what you want.
3m diameter is huge......
My 1500 design used 2 sheets of ply. Your 3m would be 8 sheets....

[jwoody]

Hello Jennifer
Your dome upgrade looks great, top job!
What solar panels do you have on there? Do they power fans for extraction? I am wanting to put a panel (or two) on my Obs for powering some fans for extraction. What arrangement do you have if you don't mind.
Thank you
Jeremy
(ps apparently I am 2km away from your location, if you stand on the roof of your obs and I stand on mine we could wave!)

[jenchris]

Hi Jezza.
The solar panel is 80 watts . Got it from Aldi last year. It serves multi purpose camping running the electric outboard on my canoe and the obsy where it just keeps the battery topped off.
I haven't thought about the introduction of fans, but it may be a good idea.
I normally park the dome so any breeze venturis the air from the shed. Relies on knowing the weather ahead of time!!!!!
Pop round and have a look.
If you're working, early evening before dark is fine

[Astrofriend]

Here is my under work observatory.

Located in northern Europe in Sweden. Latitude 60 degrees.

More photos here:
http://astrofriend.eu/astronomy/projects/project-observatory/project-observatory.html

Or here for discussing:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=160517

I'm eager now to start using it even if it's not finished yet.

/Lars

[diegocolonnello]

This is my Obsy!!!!

Nexdome 2.2 mtr..... i am so happy, it has a Bay on one side and protects a 10 inch f5 telescope on a NJP mount...... concrete pier isolated from the floor structure.....

217428

217429

217430

217431

:D

[Dave47tuc]

Hi all,
My sky shed Pod finished with my CPC 800 HD deluxe. :)

Waiting on a pier to go in next.

David :)

[ChrisV]

Love it. It's even got a shrubbery ...

[Imme]

Hi Guys....so here is a pic of the obsy.

Check out this link for a video of the roof opening and closing.....a work of beauty! (I can't take credit for it though) - https://youtu.be/IfTshNIecfI

In short -
- 9m x 6m shed
- Fully electric opening
- Concrete floor
- 6m x 3m insulated "control room"
- Located central Vic outside of light pollution 'dome' from Melb/Bendigo/other townships.
- Shortly I'll have the scope setup on a custom built pier

....looking forward to getting some images!

[FlashDrive]

How good is that .....:thumbsup:

[Imme]

I'm feeling pretty spoilt Col I must admit.....old Macedon Ranges Observatory site which I purchased late last year.
Has taken me 12 months but I've finally got around to getting this thing up and running. Also on site are 12 concrete (powered) observing sites.

One member on here mentioned the other day he didn't like it up here back when it was running as a public observatory....why you ask.....too hard to polar align because there were too many stars visible.

....it's a good issue to have!

[Jen]

:eyepop: oohhh nice Dave good to see your finally getting back into astronomy 😘😘 welcome back buddy ;):P

[Jen]

Oohhh nice Jon :thumbsup: nice size too 👍 Mines going to be 7m x5m :D

[Dave47tuc]

Some more photos of my observatory,

https://flickr.com/photos/160980344@N04/sets/72157667131714039

And some photos out of her !
https://flickr.com/photos/160980344@N04/sets/72157662502540617

Nothing like having an observatory :D

[Jen]

Hey Jon ;) I was just wondering what contraption did you use to open the electric roof?
Cheers jen

[Imme]

Hey Jen, sorry for the late reply, missed the post!
It is the simplest of simple set ups. The roof rolls on 2 x rails, it is pulled back and forth by a 0.5hp electric motor which runs a continuous loop of stainless steel cable.....motor turns CW and it pulls the roof open, motor turns CCW and it pulls it closed in the opposite direction (via a pully).
The end section of roof is counterweighted and pulls up in to place as the roof closes via a lever that is pushed by the rolling roof.

[Jen]

Thanks Jon
My observatory is finally just starting woohoo I can't wait 😜😜🤗🤗👽👽🔭🔭

[StarChildDazee]

Woo Hoo way to go:)

[Ukastronomer]

I wanted one I could move easily but did NOT look like it was anything to brake into from a distance

http://www.spacegazer.com/index.asp?pageid=97497



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