The end view of the CAD drawings. I left out some detail. I used a program called CadStd which does 2 dimensional drawings.
This is a side view
Top View. Kinda busy looking, but you should get the general idea.
This is the view to the NORTH of the observatory. The neighbors are pretty good about not having any really bright lights on at night. Notice the trees. Lots of them around.
View to the SOUTH. That is my house. As you can see in the background, it really doesn't block any of the sky, that isn't blocked by the trees. Most of my viewing will be to the south and up to the zenith.
This is to the WEST. And what do we have there, oh yes, more trees. As you can see, I live in a tree heavy neighborhood. I love trees, but they can be a hindrance.
This is where it all begins. The post holes. I used 10 inch sonotube, and dug down 32 inches minimum.
I dug these down 32" and placed 4" of drain rock into the bottom of all 6 holes. The posts were 10" round.
Here is the pier hole. It is about 32 inches square by 32 inches deep.
Posts laid out for the anchors. Posts poured. It took 3-4 80# bags of quick crete per post
Wheel barrel covering the pier hole. Wouldn't want the local deer to fall in as they pass through the yard.
Pier poured. I poured the bottom first, I raised the base to 16" above grade. After letting it sit for an hour as I set up the quick tube then I poured the main shaft of the pier.
Another shot of the pier pour. The main shaft is a 12" quick tube. I used 23 80# bags of quick crete. Nearly a ton of concrete.
Things go faster now that the concrete is poured. The main beams are in and the floor joists are coming together.
Another shot of the joists.
Main deck is on now, started framing the box girders for the raised floor in the telescope room.
Box girders completed, telescope room floor has been installed. The Telescope room floor is 2 feet above the main floor.
Another angle of the raised floor. Notice the openings on the end. I plan to use this space to store garden tools. (I put a box around the pier so the tools wouldn't be able to touch it.
Yet another angle of the floor. Notice the steel pier on top of the concrete pier. I want to be able to change from a wedge mount to a GEM mount in the future, and decided this was the easiest way.
One last angle of the floor.
The walls are finally getting framed. The warm room has 8 foot walls and the telescope room is 6 foot walls.
Another angle of the walls.
Siding starting to go on. I needed to Install the siding to stiffen up everything before I started fitting the doors.
A look at the interior window rough frame, so I can watch the telescope from the warm room.
Siding is on, I still need to trim the corners but now I can finish installing the doors.
Another shot of the siding. I used T1-11 to save money.
The roof rails are on, now for the track. Of course, it is raining again. :(
Another shot of the roof rails, the next day in more light and after the roll off frames are on.
Close up of the wheels on the angle iron track. Rolls smooth so far...
Another shot of the roll off roof frame in place. Next comes the trusses.
Built the trusses myself. Mounted and waiting for the roof panels.
Another angle of the Roof trusses.
Inside shot of the trusses.
Well, it now has a roof. It even opens...
Another angle of the open roof.
Tie Downs, one in each corner of the telescope room.
Light wiring is started. 4 circuits, 1 white light and 1 red light circuit for each room.
Ok, it is painted and secured. It is a reddish brown to match the house. And yes, the wife is happy.
Another end view. I still haven't made the doors for the storage area, but no rush. Now the finish up the inside.
I have the lattice on the bottom to hide the underneath and keep the big creatures out. Also finished the stairs and landing.
A shot of the pier through the opening for the window from the warm room to the telescope room.
A shot of the lighting. I have white lights for setup and any other times I need the bright lights, and red lights on dimmers for other times. The dimmers are a must, since even one 25 watt red light is very bright at night.
Here is a shot of the garage door opener I installed to open and close the roof. I installed it in the roof, as this was the simplist aproach.
Here is a shot of the connection to the observatory.
I threw up some corner shelves to put eyepeices and other items on.
Here is a shot of my telescope in storage between sessions. I keep this cover on it to keep the dust off. I do have to remove the camera, or the rafters hit it during opening and closing.
Here is a shot of my pier, I built it from 6 inch pipe and 1/2 inch plate. It is very solid.
This is the warm room. Shelves and cabinets for storage. Computer and laptop for those away nights.
Another shot of the warm room, showing the window into the telescope room, as well as part of the door into the telescoep room.
My Most Recent Images
NGC 1502
NGC 891
M - 34
assoc with Eagle Nebula
gamma Cas nebula
