Planning My Observatory - Feedback Wanted!

Hi Michael - I think that's why Phil H designed his observatory as a roll-away shed - this gives him clear views for the big dob.

If you built a rool-away shed, you could do it so the base unit for the scope was just on the lawn to the west of the paving slabs and have the shed roll away to the East - up against the wall. Hey presto, no obstructions that you didn't already have.

I think the problem with having roll-off roofs and removable/movable walls is that you introduce more openings for the weather to get in.

I'm going to have a go at something like Phil's design - a roll-away affiar. I'm going to try and do it so I can roll the shed away pretty much in any direction. But a house-move could be on the horizon so I'm not committing just yet. Alternatively, I'll take Gary's web advice and get one of those Tak observatories and build it in La Palma.

Good luck with your choice!

Cheers

Dave McD

PS - isn't a Dob on a GEM just a Newtonian :

Dave,

Ideally I'd like to have a PC, table, chair etc in the observatory. This is one of the issues I have with a roll-away observatory. That and the lack of protection from a cold breeze. However, I'm not ruling out the idea either as it does have many benefits such as cost, footprint and clearance to the horizon.

In terms of the direction to which the roof rolls, I would ideally like it to roll off to the north. My concern is the effect of heat rising from the roof. Pushing off to the north should improve image quality.

This is one that has caught my eye:
www.alcyone.f2s.com/observatory/
It'd take a bit more work but would be a better solution than a simple roll-off roof. It'd mean that I would have to build it myself but at least I can customise it to suit my means.

Oh and yes, a newtonian! Too many ideas floating around in my head at the mo!

Alternatively, build the dob from a solid tube which can then be attached to a mount which connects to the centre of the tube.

...or build a big strong sturdy wooden box and mount the dob firmly on top. You could even fill the box with sand or other filler to make it rock solid.

Dave,

Only problem with that is that I *hope* to get a fairly big dob - one which just about doesn't need a ladder to reach the eyepiece. Mounting it on a box may not be practical. However, if the scope was smaller, it'd be a good idea alright. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Gary,
Thanks for link. Interesting read. BTW, if you were to do it all over again, is there anything you would do different (apart from getting the plans from skyshed.com)?

I'd be more prepared, skill-wise, for building something like it. This was my first real building project and I made some fundamental (and dumb) mistakes in my rush to get it built. Having said that, and ironing out the initial problems, it's still standing despite Winter storms, is still waterproof and still does what it's meant to.

I'd use tongue-in-groove planking instead of plywood decoratively faced (too much work) for the walls and at 6 ft x 8 ft, it's only big enough for an 8" scope. If you're thinking of getting a larger scope in the future, factor that into the overall size of your observatory.

Cheers,

Gary.

Gary,
I know very little about carpentry so it'd have to be fairly crude and simple if I'm to tackle it. I had previously though of TnG flooring alright for the walls but wasn't sure about the structural soundness of it in terms of leaks etc. However, after seeing this website: www.alcyone.f2s.com/observatory/ it seems to work ok. I just have to make sure I waterproof the outside of the structure. Good to hear you are happy with your observatory.
Thanks,

Hi Michael - I agonised over that too. I decided that the roll-away shed would have just a simple ledge to hold the laptop and I'd be warm and cosy in the study in the house

But then my main intent is imaging, not visual...

You could always turn the smaller shed into a warm room...

Cheers

Dave McD

Michael,

I have two RORO buildings. The bigger one is built of metal frame with sheeting. It has 2 inch polystyrene insulation to reduce heat.

The smaller RORO is made of a wooden frame and wood ply sheet with metal sheeting enclosure.
The insulation is the wooden interior.

In the big one , I have a mini (one person) wooden building inside the RORO.
Both these designs are simple, and were not based on any existing designs.

You are welcome to see them for your self

Eamonn A

Hi Eamonn,

Thanks for the offer. I'd certainly be very interested in seeing them alright and see what construction details you used. It would also be interesting to see how the temperatures of the two ROROs compare during a warm day and after the roof is rolled off.

Thanks,