Don't worry Al, it will definitely be comfortable. With the newly lined 6x6 meter shed and the observatory lower section available, I plan to run a number of classes out here and not just in Astronomy. I looking at running native plant identification classes, basic bush regeneration, possibly some horticulture short course, sustainable small crop practices and maybe the odd astronomy and astrophotography course. So when I teach, comfort is definitely important.
John you wouldn't happen to have an electrician up your sleeve somewhere would you. The last damn electrician I hired blew the budget for me getting the power expanded in the shed.
Paul,
What a great site do ,you get any faint glows around the rims of the hill from towns that may be close to you. How are going to power the site for you scope Mains or solar
It is a great site Ian. There are a number of hills around; up to 15-20 deg to the NE to ESE, which is not an issue as it blocks the light from Nambour, Maroochydore and the rest of the coast and there is a hill to about 10 deg or so to the S that block most of the glow from BrisVegas. The only real glow is where the Southern and Eastern hills meet in a valley (where crux rises) and even then it's not objectionable. None of these hills are going to worry me excessively as I won't be imaging that low anyway. The only real problem one is the to the NE. It blocks a bit of sky but I can live with it
Ok so it hasn't been weekly updates, thanks to a few mechanical issues (starter motor, registration, rah rah rah ). but now I'm getting back up to speed. The posts and pier were concreted in today. . After a week of the concrete going off I'll top the posts to height, weld the post tops on and fix the bearers.
I know the pier looks massive, and it is, but the floor is the same height as the profiles so the pier will only stick out of the floor 900mm and then I'll place a more lightweight one ontop of it. Eventually (when a rich uncle dies) I'll be putting something more substantial than a G11 on it (Titan or Paramount spring to mind. ). Astroron has kindly give me a length of 200mm stainless steel pipe (that is used for pumping coal, so it is good and strong. I don't know the theory, ask him. ). This pipe will have a baseplate welded on to be bolted to the concrete pier, and filled with sand and then capped to fit the G11 mount. Well that's the plan anyway.
I dunno Phil. Wait til I get the Para on it and I'll let you know. I would have gone smaller if forma-tube came in smaller sizes or 200mm pvc that long was as cheap. Oh well if I ever sell this place the new owner will have a table leg for his work bench that he could hoist his holden onto.
Pity help the poor buggers in the future who try and get these piers out!
yeah I want to see that.
BTW I'm hoping that this setup will be modular enough so that if in the future we decide to move to "darker skies" that all I will have to do is unbolt a few sections and separate the two sheds, cut the posts and lift the whole lot up in two sections and onto a truck and then reinstall it at a new location.
Had a big week this week. Poured the pier and posts last Saturday, welded the tops on the posts and welded the bearers to the posts this Sunday. I finally feel like I'm making progress.
I'm not overly happy with the outcome of the pier. I was about 200mm short of concrete for the pier so I used a couple of bags of post mix to finish it off. Not very impressed with the quality of the mix. It shouldn't be a real issue as there is plenty of steel for me to get bolts inside of, but all the same it looks a bit shoddy and is a bit soft. I may even cut the top 200mm off, cap it and use the solid stuff underneath.
Anyone like a job cutting through a 350mm concrete pier with a Makita 91/4" saw with a cutoff disc
Anyhoo, here the shots from Sunday. (Don't mind the quality of the shots. While I might be able to take the odd image of the night sky, my terrestrial attempts often leave a great deal to be desired. )
![[1ponders]'s Avatar](../vbiis/customavatars/avatar45_9.gif){kind=avatar}
. So when I teach, comfort is definitely important.
). but now I'm getting back up to speed. The posts and pier were concreted in today. 
. After a week of the concrete going off I'll top the posts to height, weld the post tops on and fix the bearers. 
). Astroron has kindly give me a length of 200mm stainless steel pipe (that is used for pumping coal, so it is good and strong. I don't know the theory, ask him. 
). This pipe will have a baseplate welded on to be bolted to the concrete pier, and filled with sand and then capped to fit the G11 mount. Well that's the plan anyway.
I would have gone smaller if forma-tube came in smaller sizes or 200mm pvc that long was as cheap. Oh well if I ever sell this place the new owner will have a table leg for his work bench that he could hoist his holden onto. 
