Planning A ROR DIY Observatory

[pfitzgerald (Paul)]

Hi Folks

Yes it's time to start down the slippery slope of building a back yard observatory. I'm tired of losing viewing time to the constant setting up, aligning, packing up scenario.

As per the heading I've more-or-less committed myself to building, in stages, a ROR Observatory in my back yard. I already have a shed so the premise is that this structure will be a timber 'gazebo'.

I've got a copy of John Hick's 'Building A Roll-Off Roof Observatory' and have spent considerable time reading it and numerous threads on this and other forums. Tentatively at this stage it will be 3.66 m x 2.74 m (12' x 9') which is pretty much spot on for 10 m^2 and within council regulations. I plan on having a small isolated work room at one end. Our rectangular back yard runs roughly north-south, to within about 20o - I'll check this out tomorrow. It will have a timber floor on concrete pillars.

The first couple of questions I have for you all is to do with determining the wall height from the scope's parked position.

1. When the scope (as per my signature below) is parked in the home position its weights down scope up. If I were to designate that the scope's home position is with the scope and weights horizontal, would this place any undue stress on the mount if stored this way for long periods of time and affect its performance in the future?

2. Alternatively, is it possible to set the horizontal position as a go-to at the end of an observing run, close the roof and then return the scope to the 'home' position with weights down scope up. This procedure could then be reversed on setting up. If this is possible how would I program it into my Synscan?

To add to the information I've already given I've pretty much got clear skies from an altitude of 20o all around apart from a neighbours house to the west where the minimum altitude increase to just under 30o.

Stage 1 in construction would be laying out the plan on the ground and putting a pier in. For this I'm looking to put in a 1 m^3 concrete anchor with bolts for a steel pipe pier, either 8" or 10".

T.Y.A.I.A. for reading this post and for your thoughts and suggestions. It will be a slow process as it depends on the available funds. But once its up and running I'll include pictures etc of my progress.

Paul

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Good work Paul,

Building an observatory is the best thing I have done for observing. So much time wasted setting up when I could have been imaging etc..

I have my home position with the CW and scope at the horizontal position, I don't think there is too much to be worries about as long as all your bolt etc.. are secure, and the scope is well balanced.

I am not sure about the synscan, (someone else may be able to chime in) but I think there is a feature which enables you to custom 'park' your scope. I use EQMOD for controlling the scope from inside the Observatory, I can set a custom park position, so at the end of the run, I can simply park the scope in that position and close the roof.

Good luck with the construction. If your going to use a large steel pier, make sure the CW miss the top plate. My pier is only 150mm dia, 5mm wall thickness and 800mm long, dynabolted down. No hint of movement on it, I use a HEQ5Pro also with an 8" f/4 scope on it.

[pfitzgerald (Paul)]

Thanks for all that Andrew.

Paul

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

I have a small 8' x 6' Tin Shed Observatory - ROR and find the best parking position for me is weights down facing east. Allows the roof to be run off - no issues.
I also use EQMod most of the time - The latest Synscan also supports custom park position.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

I'm similar to Ken, 2.7 m X 1.8 m but due to some space\location restraints I have a swivelling roof. Pivots at one side towards one end. Not the most convenient but it allows about 700 of covered roof area over the desk with PC's etc when open. Temps are not too bad over here so it's not a major problem, ... mostly.
I've just got EQMOD going but haven't set any "Park' position yet. The LUNT is ok in the normal weights down, Sth facing position as long as I close the dew shield up.
When I load the big newt up soon I'l have to go East facing to clear the roof.
I may look at converting to RoRo eventually but I'll need a chainsaw to make some space.
You won't regret building an Ob, very true.