[Merlin66 (Ken)]

This is not an observatory, nor a Visual set-up. It’s designed for remote operation of your fixed, polar aligned, telescope/ camera/ spectroscope in a secure back yard.

I use a C11 with 200mm f4 telelens/ ATiK16 electronic finder, Specta-L200 spectroscope with a Lodestar guider and ATiK314L imaging camera. Mounted on a NEQ6pro driven by AstroPlanner/ CdC/ EQMod with AstroArtV5 for plate solving/ guiding and spectral imaging.

We’ve recently moved house and Plan A was to remove the East part of the roof (3m) of an existing well built wooden shed (6m x 3m) and have a ROR configuration…due to water tanks this proved a VERY expensive solution (>$3-4k)
Plan B was to try the same at the other end of the shed where access is easier…..unfortunately about the same cost!
OK, on to Plan C – buy a 3m x 2.5m tin shed place some foundations and make it a ROR. The only location was close to a high hedge in the East, and the West is blocked by the house. Estimated costs came in around $1500. Hmmmm
Looking for a cheaper alternative, I considered mounting everything on a pretty sturdy 2nd floor veranda. Plan D was to find a suitable – something like the Telegizmo cover. Although the price was around $300, I had an unhappy experience when the ol’ outside chair cover I had used previously blew off in a recent gale and I suffered water damage to the power transformers!
We’re now on Plan E.


Two sheets of 8’ x 4’ 6mm Marine ply, some lengths of 19 x 42mm framing ply, 4 aluminium (19mm i/d) hoops – 1200mm x 600mm and a 6’ x 8’ UV weatherproof tarp from Bunnings Total cost <$200……
The ply is cut to make a 4’ x 4’ “cube” – one side removable as an access door. The 4 hoops hinged near the mid centre of the walls to make a “convertible top” hood covered by the tarp material which retracts back to the south side and exposes the telescope.
The total mid height is 1800mm – enough to enclose the telescope etc.

This should give a weatherproof enclosure and allow quick access to the scope.
The material has just arrived….I’ll post some photos of the progress soon.