Square rotating observatory design

[John K]

Hi guys,

Back in the late 80's or early 90's, I remember reading an article in Astronomy Now magazine about someone in the UK making a very simple rotating square observatory out of timber rotating on a simply steel rail track.

They apparently simply had a local steel/welding shop cut and weld sections to make a round rail and a round frame section for the base, they then added some caster wheels to the round frame part and then added simple added wooden frame and panels and presto they had a rotating observatory.

Whilst I know that everyone goes with a dome design for better wind protection, I would have through that a square design could provide a very low cost alternative and better wind protection then a roll off shed.

Interested in thoughts and if anyone has tried or seen this made by anyone.

John K.

[SteveInNZ]

John Drummond in Gisborne NZ has a square observatory.
Possum Obs

Steve.

[Wavytone]

How big is the scope ?

if you're going square I'd suggest a clamshell roof (two sections that drop back on either side) and forget about making it rotate.

Unless the scope is really huge or the building is huge there's no real reason to make it rotate IMHO.

[John K]

Originally Posted by Wavytone

How big is the scope ?

if you're going square I'd suggest a clamshell roof (two sections that drop back on either side) and forget about making it rotate.

Unless the scope is really huge or the building is huge there's no real reason to make it rotate IMHO.

It is well down the future, but 12" to 20" scope would be the range.

I am interested in an observatory with the benefits of a slit system going down to near horizon level but with the dome benefits of wind protection, but not necessarily at the cost of a dome. A square building out of wood would be quite easy to build.

I think many new professional observatories are being built as square or rectangular.

Steve - thanks for the link.

[el_draco (Rom)]

Buying a dome is really expensive but there are amateur versions that are relatively easy to build and hence lower cost. Big cost I have found was the dome rail, but I solved that today. I can get a 150mm universal "I" beam rolled into a 3m ring with a 2mm tolerance for about $600. My first "quote" was $2k with 30+ mm tolerance... pays to look around!

What goes on top is less of an issue. You can go geodesic or segmented which may be more complex than a box, but offer a lot more in terms of aesthetic appeal functionality and vibration dampening. Potentially, it also uses less material.

Rom

[AstralTraveller (David)]

At least lop off the corners and make it an octogong. Less wasted overhang and structurally better.