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If it is hot outside it will be hot inside (unless you air condition the observatory) the trick is not to let the observatory get hotter than outside and just insulating the internal walls will not be enough. My observatory is always 5-8C below the outside temperature from the methods I employ.
In a roll off roof observatory or the like, it will take very little time for the telescope to reach ambient temperature once the roof is rolled back. The idea of using shade cloth drop downs on the north, west (and probably east) works wonders - try it you will be amazed. A thought comes to mind that this could also be done over the roof with little cost and certainly more appealing than a tarp stretched over it. Also especially makes sense to roll the roof back just after sunset so by the time you are ready to observe you should have no issues whatsoever. I never have any issues with mine. A dome slit on the other hand acts like a chimney and takes a long time to release trapped heat (probably retains much heat regardless of what you do) and you will be observing through this, making it vital to look at every other possible means of cooling. Shrubs and gardens around the structure certainly help.
At Leyburn some of the caravans have "tropical roofs" a second skin (as noted in a prior post) that allows the air gap and again works wonders, but on a roll off roof adds lots of weight - try the dark green shade cloth, I will bet it does exactly the same.
PeterM.
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