Roof observatory

[cybereye]

Good morning everyone!!

A quick question - does anybody know of a successfully built attic observatory that doesn't have a concrete pier going through to the ground floor?

It's looking as this could be my only option for an observatory (in the garage/rumpus room roof) but I'm not sure a pier in the middle of the room is an attractive addition to the room!!

Any thoughts would be gratefully appreciated... :help:

Cheers,
Mario

[scagman]

Hi Mario.

Looks like attic built obs aren't that popular.

I can't give any advice due to experiance but I would think the heat from the roof and vibrations from people walking inside the house would be your main concerns. Rubber pads under the tridop legs may help reduce any unwanted vibes.

Regards

[astroron]

Hi Mario, there is the usual critical points such as vibration, heat currents off the Roof, unsightlyness, but to me they look real cool:cool2:
There is to me anyway no impediment to visual observing, anymore than being on the ground especially if looking toward the Zenith.
I have seen a few on roofs over the years, and one in particular in Perth WA, I asked the owner what he thought and he was very happy with it :D
Cheers :thumbsup:

[cybereye]

Thanks John and Ron for your thoughts.

Vibrations are an issue and that's why I'm trying to get as much information as I can. I'm sure if I had a pier the vibrations would be at a minimum, it's just working out how to do this neatly so that it's not an eye-sore in the rumpus room (old garage).

Thinking, thinking, thinking - it never stops! :question:

Cheers,
Mario

[rrenew]

Hi
Many years ago I built a rooftop deck over a small house in Glebe and used the brick chimney as a pier, with a 2" dia pipe mounting attached to the side of the chimney. It was good for visual observing, no vibrations noticed when people walked around the deck.
Good luck!

[ChrisM]

Mario,

Suggest that you have a read of this resource:

http://www.homedome.com/documents/athome.pdf

I last read it about 5 years ago whilst I was researching DIY observatories, and recall that they dealt with the sort of thing that you're contemplating.

Cheers,
Chris

[cybereye]

Thanks Chris and Rob.

All this information is coming in very handy!

Cheers,
Mario