The Observatory is a slide-off roof type.
It measures 8 x 12. I combined
Skyshed
plans for a 8 x 8 and a 10 x 12 to get the 8 x 12 dimensions.
The only space available to build on in my yard turned
out to be the perfect location. I have excellent views of the
southern and eastern skies, and only partially blocked western
skies. The northwest quadrant is blocked to about 30 degrees
by the house roof. It is very convenient to the house - walk
out to the patio - take 3 steps into the observatory! The
rolled-off roof blocks a street lamp in front of the house as well!
The entire process, including removal of the flower garden and dirt, took approximately 2 months. |
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The Finished Product - or, rather, finished to the point that the
telescope can be mounted inside and work can commence on the
interior. |
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Probably the most difficult task of the entire project was leveling
this plant bed that was the "construction site". It involved
removing all the landscape brick and hauling off about 50 loads of
dirt by wheelbarrow. That task took a couple of weekends to
complete. However, the brick-laid path around the bed made an
excellent base to use as the foundation. |
01/01/2005 - 01/11/2005
Dirt removed - nothing left to do but remove a water faucet. |
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01/17/2005
Ready to pour the foundation of the pier and the pier itself.
The location of the pier is offset by 2 feet to the southern side of
the observatory. This allow a better view of the east as well
as more space for the PC, desk, etc. at the north end of the
building. |
01/21/2005
The pier has been poured and leveled. |
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01/22/2005
I ran cables though PVC underground from the pier to a corner in the
observatory where the PC would reside and the electricity would enter
the building. Cables included a serial cable for hooking a PC
to the telescope, USB for future plans (CCD, etc), electricity and
CAT5. |
01/22/2005
Another view of the cabling. |
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01/23/2005
The 4 x 4 posts are laid out on patio stones and the
cross-timbers are leveled. Next on the agenda is getting the
walls and other structures built so everything is ready to piece
together before the floor is actually laid. |
02/14/2005
Floor is screwed down. Ready for the rest of building to be
raised! |
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01/10/2005 - 02/20/2005
My garage was turned into a workshop for a couple of months to
build the walls, gables and roof supports. Pictured here are
the two end walls (the wall in the rear is standing on end). |
01/10/2005 - 02/20/2005
Pictured here is the front wall (upside down), the door and one
of the gables. |
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02/25/2005
Construction day - 3 walls up and 1 remaining! |
02/25/2005
All four walls are in place, as well as the roll-off posts for the
roof. |
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02/26/2005
The "hired help" installing the hinges and rollers on the roof
supports. |
02/26/2005
Front of the observatory with the roof installed and open before installing the
metal roof sections. |
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02/27/2005
"Yours truly" attaching the metal roof sections.
*** A word about using treated yellow pine for the roof "runners" -
DON'T! I had to replace them within 2 months with cedar
because they warp very badly when exposed to weather. *** |
03/07/2005
Front view of the observatory before being painted. |
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03/21/2005
Front view of the observatory after being painted. |
