Observatory 1.0

[stanlite (Grady)]

Hello all long time no see, with the ending of my uni career fast approaching it has come time for me to devotee those hours consumed in such tasks as studying to the pursuit of photons. As such it is with trepidation that i announce some exciting news.

I have been given tacit approval from the parental's for submissions of plans to place an observatory on there property in the Gold Coast hinterland. With an idea to start construction in late may or early June.

Given the nature of the site there will be some significant issues with this project and i submit my design to you good people for insights and hints by those that have undertaken this suffering .... err endeavor before.

The property is situated in a valley with flat land at a premium, more so due to the loverly tree scape this will force the construction of a 10 foot concrete pier to both raise the scope above such levels and to enable the placing of work space underneath.

Likewise space is at a premium with only 6-10 square feet available for construction. Given that i will mount a 8inch newt with guide scope needless to say it is going to be a tight fit.

The understory of the observatory will house a desk that wraps around the pier (although doesn't touch it) with storage and should leave enough room for myself and a chair to fit in comfortably. The scope shall be accessible via a ladder on the outside

The roof shall flip 180 degrees and be counter balanced by some weights making it easy to open. there simply isn't space for a slid off roof and the expense of a dome is beyond me at present.

Most of the materials will be second hand (left over colourbond from my dads shed construction.). The goal is to build this under $$1000 and have a watertight and storm proof imagine platform for my scope.

I have attached a simple design that hopefully explains better than i do lol.

So am i Crazy or inspired???

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Bit of both like the rest of us I'd say ... .

I can't see your design pic here at work ( blocked by the powerrs that be ) but I will comment further from home if I can make any suggestions.

Skyslab is 1.8 x 2.7 meters square which what I assume you mean by 6-10. 6 Square feet or 10 square feet would be impossible to manage.
At 1.8 x 2.7 Skyslab is usable although you have to duck around a bit depending on which scope is on and where it is pointing. But I stillhave a desk and a couple of laptops in there plus a rolling cabinet that doubles as EP storage and chair and which ever scope is not up over in one corner.
As I said, it's cosy but workable even on one level.

[stanlite (Grady)]

sorry yes i mean 6foot by 10 lol was a little out of it last night

max size is 2.4m by 2.4m just measured it out might get to 3X3m if i get the tractor out and do some remodeling

[Ajemsa (Andrew)]

I'm still finishing my observatory, but, I have a 10" newtonian which has a tube length of about 1.5m. My observatory is 3m x 3m and I find it very comfortable to move around without knocking things. I don't know how long your telescope is but I imagine you could get away with a smaller footprint than this. My doors open into the observatory as well so I needed to have a bit of room available just to get in.

[Joshua Bunn (Joshua)]

Your probably going to need some form of insulation under the colourbond to keep the inside (and all your equipment) from cooking on a hot day under the tin roof.

Also, having a roof that tips back as you have explained could be problematic. after a long dewy imaging or observing sesion, the inside of the roof will collect alot of dew. when you close the roof this is going to drip on your equipment unless you have other plans to prevent this. Are you sure there is no room for a sliding roof?

Josh

[stanlite (Grady)]

Ground breaking for the observatory took place today. I have decided upon a more traditional slid off roof design. I will be making it out of an old trailer top my father used for stage shows to be held outside (held the weight of three 100kg plus men and a lighting rack with spotlights so i think structurally it is sound) will install 4foot walls around the base and simply have the trailer roof roll off. The beauty of this design is the roof was designed to be a mobile sound and lighting desk (light on top mixing desk with attendants underneath) so it is already kitted out with electrical. the pier will be a piece of 300 by 300 by 6mm steel (think industrial framework) about 2.7m tall (will be cut to size with about 70-90cm to be buried in the concert base.

photos to follow tomorrow

[h0ughy (David)]

ah i read the last line - any pics

[allan gould]

Looks good Grady and wish you all success with your observatory. You should have a ball in it.

[stanlite (Grady)]

So work commenced on the eastern wall today managed to get a bit done before the rain set in due to the slope of the land (and hard clay substructure) the post at the end are about 30cm higher then the post closest. Also saved a little friendly helper in the form of a burrowing frog from a concert grave.

first pic is my father assisting with welding duties.