Cost of building an observatory

[Pomgonwalkabout (Dean)]

Hi group I am new here and honestly I do not even own a telescope.

A few years ago I visited the observatory in Gilgandra in NSW sadly I think it may be closed now? Anyway whilst there an idea began to form in my mind.

Wouldn't it be great to build a fully self contained observatory where Astronomers could stay for a holiday.

This was a pipe dream because I was living in the city at the time and didn't have the land. But now I do in a remote spot and a spare paddock to build one.

So wondering about the cost and what size telescope would be required.

Tell me if I am dreaming but do you think there would be much call for a self contained observatory complete with bedroom bathroom and kitchen for astronomers that would rent it out for a holiday?

Maybe even use it myself or allow others to remotely control the telescope too?

Anyway thanks for your input good or bad

Cheers

[leon]

Dean I'm sure that if you built it and rented it out on a reasonable cost you would have to beat them off with sticks, so to speak, what a great idea.

Leon

[el_draco (Rom)]

Well, I have invested more than I can imagine and I am just putting the observatory together now.

To make it really attractive, you need a big scope on great mount. I say a big RC or newt (abt $10 -$15K and up) on a PME II (abt $25k esp if you want to go remote) with a good camera and accessories (abt $5k and way up) would be a pretty good starting point.

I'm building a 4m roll-off atm and thats probably $5k+ when done.

Straw on the floor is enough for creature comforts if the scope meets the mark.

Anyhow... thats one ball park opinion..

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

I think it's a wonderful idea but....
I perceive many pitfalls along the way.
I'd list them, but I need to sleep tonight and it's nearly 5pm.

[Pomgonwalkabout (Dean)]

Thank you for the replies a bit of food for thought and more googling of some of the equipment suggested

[skysailor (Peter)]

Dare I say it... "Build it and they will come - and observe."
Good luck, great idea, could be costly but hey what the heck - give it a go and you may be pleasantly surprised.
cheers

[Mokusatsu (Australia)]

I don't own a place in the country, but I'very had a similar idea before. Some kind of astro (oops, autocorrect tried to finish that off as "astrology"!) retreat.

While if you want to attract tourists from all over and make the scope a major selling point a big setup would help, I suspect one could get started with something much cheaper and reinvest any profits from there.

i.e. a 12"+ goto dobsonian and a pair of big binoculars on a parallelogram mount would be a pretty reasonable setup (it''s what I have!) and you can build it up from there.

Iceinspace's classifieds provide a steady stream of interesting scopes to consider.

[g__day (Matthew)]

I would talk to Astroboy (Zane) as he ran Magellan for a long time. The farm accommodation was great - the ferrets had my kids enthralled under some kinda spell, a 24" SDM Obsession - several very decent scopes in two other observatories on the properties and a lot of gear to connect to them. Hobbyists and semi-professionals rented it over the years (I even wrote a review on it A tale of two Observatories - comparing Derby Falls and Magellan - a chalk vs cheese experience http://www.iceinspace.com.au/85-365-0-0-1-0.html ).

Ask someone who has already walked down this road and your way might get a lot easier!

[glend (Glen)]

There are many types of observatories, you will need to decide who your target customer base is going to be and that determines what they need or expect in a 'for hire' facility. Imagers are pretty picky when it comes to mounts, scopes and other equipment. Visual observers are easier to please so i suggest you start with them. Be aware there are free astro camps at places like Bretti, other for fee places like Wirruna, etc so find your niche. Good luck.