Completed Pier, Now for the observatory

[mtodman (Matt)]

After many a hot & hard day's work, I have finally finished my backyard Pier & observing platform for my LX200 (see link)
http://www.astroromp.com/astronomy/permanent_pier.htm

I am currently using a Telegizmos 365 telescope cover to keep things dry & hopefully cool(ish) but my plan is to construct something more permanently to cover the pier / scope. I was thinking that a walk in box about 1 - 1.5M square that is tall enough to cover the scope would do the trick. I'd hinge the top 1 - 2 feet so that it could flip open.

I've been troweling the web for examples of a small obs / scope cover similar to this but haven't been able to find anything. Does anyone know of such a small obs being constructed elsewhere? Does anyone see any major issues with such an approach (ie, heat buildup, etc)?

Cheers,
Matt

[renormalised (Carl)]

In your position, I'd build a small shed/obs' that would cover the whole slab that you have there. That's the only way you'll get it to be a walk-in arrangement, that I can see. Other than that, you could build a clamshell hinged box big enough to cover the scope and leave a bit of room surrounding the scope. It'd have to be waterproof and able to withstand a storm and the occasional southerly buster. But then you'd have heat issues and that would entail installing extractor fans to keep everything cool.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

just a idea for your shed, have you looked into the garden sheads, you might be able to modify one for what you need. ive looked at them because they are a good price! you can get one for 500 - 1000 with all the bits you need.

[leon]

Top job indeed Matt, sounds just about the same as i did mine, even down to the aulminium plates, this should see out for many years to come.

Nice and solid.

Leon

[Big Dave (Dave)]

Nice Garden, Here in Melbourne mine has just frizzled away.
Looks like a great start.

I actually saw a good idea on the web a while ago, I will let you know if I can find the link but someone had converted a plastic water tank into an obs. The roof hinged of the back and a door was on the blind side. It also had some re-enforcing for the wind added internally. It had the obvious advantage of security - who would think a common backyard tank would contain something so expensive!

With water is getting expensive down here now, and in a year or so may be worth more than a LX series!

[leon]

Here in Melbourne mine has just frizzled away., yea mate mine to it is pretty sad.

Leon

[Insane Climber (Jason)]

Very nice job you've done there. I'm very jealous.

[leon]

Very nice job you've done there. I'm very jealous.

Don't be jealous Jason, mate be brave and build.

Leon

[mtodman (Matt)]

Thanks for the creative suggestions.
Unfortunately, due to spousal restrictions I am limited to a "small" obs (you wouldn't believe what I had to do just to get signoff for the pier & paved area). Assuming that I'll be restricted to an area of ~1M x 1.5M for the base of the structure, is anyone aware of a cooling / ventilation system that would work?
We're getting daily temps hitting 40 degrees c at the moment & I hate yo think what that would get to in a small obs without some form of cooling.
Is anyone aware of what a "safe" non operating temperature would be for a setup such as mine? I assume that too high a temp may damage the OTA / electronics.
Rgds
Matt

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

you would be very serprized by what Colour bond tin will do for cooling, recently Roger Groom (rogerg) posted a thread about this, and that the inside of his obs was 3 - 4 deg cooler than ambient. I think its something to do with Infrared cooling theres a whole science behind it. but keeping your obs all closed up has some advantage! plus you seal it off from the dust!