hi,
now that we've all seen how to build a proper observatory, here's how to build a half-a$@ one...
not pretty, not level, but so far seems to work and withstanding what i call "hurricane winds" (probably gale-force at the most but that region between Braidwood and Bungendore does get VERY windy -tok down a tree last year)
not completely finished yet, only put a first coat of resin on the dome
will need more.
Basically:
4 meters wide, octogonal structure
entire structure rotates on wheels sitting in a circular cement trench
dome and walls are canvass covered in resin (the stuff you use for fiberglass)
sliding roof door is sheet metal 93 cm wide running in a "track" of irrigation pipes screwd onto the sides of the wooden arches with a groove carved out on the inside surface with a small angle grinder and then widened with a drill bit...
all screws no nails (so I can take it down someday (though the surfaces/dome will be written off then)
not quite finished but i will start using it soon and keep finishing it up slowly (flooring etc ) later on I i know should have done that BEFORE but what the heck...)
it was a prototype i was itching to try.
Learned a lot of lessons along the way ( I mean A LOT) and will incorporate when i build another one.
The horrible green structure around it had to be erected to act as a wind breaker before i started on the surfaces. Works but will soon be replaced by a nice wooden fence ( i just got the materials from an old fence being torn down...). The current one basically just recycles lots of pieces of zincalum etc i had lying around the property.
thanks guys!
it a work in progress and not only do the clouds come in as soon as you're building something like this but the rain and gale force winds too....i had to stop construction mid way because of that and rain really damaged the arches...that was one lesson i learned , instead of recycling particle board, i should have used solid pine panels to create arches, oh well ...live and learn
Hello,
just thought i'd put an update.
The embarrassing green wind break around the observatory has been replaced with a 6 foot high wooden fence. Not completely finished as it needs proper anchoring posts but working ok for now.
The obs now houses my new G11, which I couldn't use this weekend because clouds rolled in....
couple of pics, one shows a bit of the work space inside and the other a vewed from outside the fence with the dome door slightly opened while i was setting up the G11. The white section at the bottom of the roll off roof door (just above the fence line, also drops down to allow shots closer to the horizon but usually will stay up for wind shielding purposes i expect.
The observatory has suffered some setback with Cockatoos deciding they really enjoyed pecking away at the top of the obs, creating massive holes which had to be fixed.
A final solution that appears to work to keep them away is a series of upside down nails on the ridges (as is done on statues) and a generous coat of Vaseline over the metal roll-off door and dome surface. The Latter is a trick passed onto me by a friend who works in warehouses where they store furniture. He said they use this trick on ceiling poles to prevent birds perching and doing their business, I had doubts but threw it in for good measure. Birds haven't been back (and there's hundreds around !)
It's been a great prototype, I've learned a lot and know of a few things I'd do differently the next time i build an observatory.
Thanks Houghy,
It's a bit more difficult than I had anticipated, due to a few factors (i AM learning heaps of leassons here)
I essentially have to lean on one of the support posts and push.
I think that the choice of wheels was my biggest downfall here, I wanted some nice big rubberized wheels but they were one short at the shop, and in my desperation to progress the work at the time I bought some smaller diameter, hard plastic wheels.
I just know this is impacting a bit.
The other factor which I'll remedy a bit at some point, is the track the wheels roll in is a cement track but because rain can drag dirt into the track this sometimes makes it a bit difficult for the wheels.
So it's a bit heavy but once i get it going it works ok. I keep wondering if I will someday rebuild the same way or try for just the roof to roll (which is better but trickier to do i reckon-with no engineering skills! :] )
Thanks Matt,
( I still haven't updated the website since I took a few shots of the eclipse in September!)
Yes, the obs was designed to be waterproof and it's proven pretty good in that respect. There's a bit of a drip in the "storage shelf" area but nothing that cant be fixed with (more) silicone (great invention that!).
Though it's tried and tested for being waterproof, I still don't take any chances and have my gear under two tarps (really) and a bed sheet (to reduce dust collection), the tarps prevent unforeseeable problems...like Cockatoos chewing the top...who'da thunk it!
:]
All seems to work ok now, it's nice to have a shelter from the winds and having the gear all set up.
Frank I know what you mean when you say it can be bit hard to move the structure, mine although not shaped like yours is a complete roll away building, and I too have to put the sholder to it an give it a good shove, but hey, it dose the job, here's mine, under construction.
nice one Leon,
I almost used that type of roll-off structure but the winds where I am are just too horrible, i needed the wind protection.
It's amazing how quickly all the individual bits and pieces add up to a whole lot of weight!
In a few years you'll be able to pick who's owns an observatory at star parties by the fact that they'll look like footy players in top shape !!! hahahahaah
frank
...
I had doubts but threw it in for good measure. Birds haven't been back (and there's hundreds around !)
