Gonna build my own observatory

Well my garden wouldnt be ideal as i can mainly only view NE-E-SE.

Any views N-NW-W-SW-S are blocked my my big old house and lots of light polution.

So it really would just be a place to store stuff and observe what i can already see but in a bit more comfort.

Good luck with it Paul, let us know how you get on.
I've had a dome for about 2 years now with no security issues, its great for keeping the wind off and for reducing exposure to the sky and keeping local lights (not many around thankfully) out of my eyes.

It's on my "to do" list. Might hold off til the summer. Research it in depth. Find the best shed for me (the one i have is ready for the scrap heap really).

No point doing it with sub standard materials.

One thing Paul is not to make it too small.
When you design it, do not think of your current scope.
Imagine that this observatory must be able to hold the scope and mount of your dreams!!
The dome I use here can hold a 16" LX200 on a paramount with plenty of space to walk abound it. It can house basically any SCT or refractor I might get in the future.
For the lunar eclipse last year, I had 8 other people in there and we were all able to move around and get a good view of the eclipse.

Remember once its built, you're stuck with it unless you want to be messing around with it for the rest of your life.

One thing Paul is not to make it too small.
When you design it, do not think of your current scope.
Imagine that this observatory must be able to hold the scope and mount of your dreams!!
...
Remember once its built, you're stuck with it unless you want to be messing around with it for the rest of your life.

Sound advice thee Dave! Couldn't agree more!

Yeah thats true. Even if i never buy another scope (kinda limited to scopes with the eye piece at the lower end) it needs to be big enough so that i can fill it with books and stuff.

LOL.

There's some nice garden sheds on many of the links relating to DIY Obs. I'd be going for one of those and having the roof adapted so that it slides on both sides downwards to the side. I like the look of the Yardmaster range. Not too pricey either.