My shiny new observatory

[Jarvo]

Hi Everyone. Been a while since I posted anything so its good to be back.

I've been building my own observatory over the last few months. I'd got to a point where I was getting more than exasperated lumping the telescope and all the kit in and out of the house and my interest had began to wain.

So I but the bullet, got agreement from the Senior Stakeholder (her price was a new hall, stairway and landing) and started on the design.

I had a few considerations that steered the design, namely:

Space, I only had a space approximately 8 feet by 6 feet;

No additional space so a full roll off design was out of the question therefore had to go with a sliding hatch;

Additional design work for the water proofing and run off;

Budget - no concrete floors or electricity but there will be scope to add a solar unit onto the Shed next door and install a DC convertor in a further phase of the project.

Pictures are a lot better that me waffling on so I'll let them images do the talking....

Humble beginnings

This is the area I needed to clear, loads of old garden rubbish, a water butt, I also needed to build a new fence and remove four big conifers to prepare the ground space...

Cleared area

Don't underestimate the effort needed to clear the area. I borrowed my Dads chainsaw to chop the conifers down. Decided to keep the stumps because:

1) Pain to remove;

2) Kinda like the look of them;

New fence complete

Courtesy of the local DIY store (Yes I have got the power)...

Next up was the relocation of the water butt - good opportunity to empty and clean it out - yuk!

Pier construction

Now the fun stuff can begin! My pier tube came courtesy of my next door neighbour who is adding an extension to his house, it's a simple length of piping left over from his plumbing.

So dug down a foot and a half square, placed the tube in the middle, added an old steel clothes pole (yes - budget remember!) and added a load of water and post crete. Result is very solid.

Mount 

This was of my own construction having trawled the internet for inspiration. Essentially two blocks of wood with bolts driven through. Its sufficient for my scope but if you have anything bigger you should probably get your local metal bod to machine something for you. I have since added a wider top piece.

The bolts were sunk into the cement whilst still wet (obviously!!) and left to go off.

Base Construction

No digging down deep here, everything's on solid clay so some sharp sand and heavy beams were used for the bottom base...

Cross beams pre varnished added on top of the beams for the base itself...

Base cut to shape and put in place. Varnished with Sadolin on both sides to protect from any damp.

Panel construction

Could now start work on the panels. Used Shiplap for a change having used Log lap on the shed I made last year. One of the panel varnished and ready below...

The largest panel was 8 feet long and too heavy and unmanoeverable  to move in one complete piece so I had to do the frame, add some of the shiplap pieces then finish the rest on site.

All coming together nicely...

Roof construction

This was a crucial phase of construction, extra care was taken to ensure run off areas and channelling was spot on for the rain...

I'll post more detailed pictures of the design if there is sufficient interest.

Runners

These consisted of 2 x 3 inch posts that had a channel made with a Router - hard work!. They were then varnished after having a couple of drain holes drilled into them..

Sliding Roof in place

This was the moment of truth. Essentially the roof is 12mm tongue and groove with a 2 x 2 inch frame covered with roofing felt. The runners are simple castors that fit in the channels. Major milestone when the castors fit the channels on the runners.

The completed design

It's a bit tricky to get a good angle as the garage is in the way but you get the idea...

The interior 

Just need to add a bit of lino - might splash out and get the black rubber button design stuff and paint it a nice dark blue. Need to paint the pier too.....

And thats pretty much it for now. Went out last night and it was fantastic. No bright street lights shining in my eyes, comfortable viewing angles, out of the wind and I actually found a number of DSOs I've struggled with finding previously. Managed to take in M57 in Lyra, M15  in Pegasus and M27 and it was absolutely joyous.

When the clouds rolled in I simply put my eyepieces away, replaced the dust covers, closed the hatch and locked up - 5 minutes !!!

Would definitely recommend this as a project - If I have one nugget of advice, design it to death before you lift a spade...

Sorry to go on too long. Hope you enjoyed the post.

Steve

[todd8137]

Get two or three coats of wood preserver on it seal that wood before winter ,nice shed

Pat

[Garethr]

Steve

Great build mate and looks really comfy.

There's something about walking into your own Obsy and turning on the power rolling back the roof and away you go.

And as you say clouds roll in..... 5 mins and your back indoors. I think I probably spend 70% more time now outside looking at the stars and imaging because of the Obsy

Enjoy mate

Gareth.

[laudropb]

Very nice report of an interesting project. Still trying to persuade she who must be obeyed to allow me this luxury. We are getting an extension to the house and I have had secret talks with the builder about laying some concrete for me.this will not be until next Spring so plenty of time to wrk my way into the good ladies God books. Here's hoping. Thanks for posting.

[algady]

Very nice indeed.

[Stu]

Lovely job, looks great

[davefrance]

Great job, well conceived.

[fondofchips]

Brilliant project, I would say in addition to quick setup, solid mount for the scope and shelter from the wind are an obsy's best features.

+1 for "design it to death before you lift a spade..."

You will still make some minor errors.

Clear Skies

Fondofchips.

[T-WING]

Fancy stuff! Well done

[laser_jock99]

Great build - thanks for posting.

[MarsG76]

Great work... I'm jealous...

[malc-c]

Nice build and good to see you have the essential mug for a warm cuppa tea

[malc-c]

Can I suggest that you get some angled trim and cover the corner eages as you've not overlapped them, and it will help prevent the ingress of the rain and snow

I overlapped my edges so could get away with a small section of moulding

[nytecam]

Very nice obsy. The best way to get more out of our hobby and should be a high priority if settled. Wouldn't survive without mine :-)

Nytecam

[Jarvo]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Malc - good call on the corners. Was going to have a go at the weekend so I was in everyone's favourite diy store but they wanted 24 quid for 4 strips of 1 x 1 and not one was straight. Its on the snagging list.

Latest fixes:

Interior painted midnight blue;

Pier spray painted glossy purple;

Interior latches for security and to stop the roof blowing off in high winds;

Bit of rhino lino down on the floor;

Nice bit of yacht varnish all over.

Been out at at least a day every week now since the build complete. The biggest irony was I couldn't see the eclipse from the observatory but you still have that base for all the kit.

Steve

[malc-c]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Malc - good call on the corners. Was going to have a go at the weekend so I was in everyone's favourite diy store but they wanted 24 quid for 4 strips of 1 x 1 and not one was straight. Its on the snagging list.

Steve

Yeah, not cheap.  It does seem to make you wonder when you can get 8 x 2400mm lengths of studwork for the same price as 4 lengths of small moulding as to why the moulding is so expensive.  Might be worth contacting a local builders merchants rather then DIY store ?