Octagonal Observatory

[m.tweedy]

Slowly getting there after original builder could not do the job to the required standard and new joiner cut down all of the warped and twisted uprights.

https://goo.gl/photos/PVWWztA8CTGjSeJN6

[m.tweedy]

I will put a full materials list and cost when finished if anyone wants it with the drawings.

[poogle]

Looks like a real quality build, well done!

How is the roof gonna open and what material will be the top layer of the roof?

/Patrik

[m.tweedy]

Octagonal dome 18mm Exterior ply covered with hot applied roofing felt

 

[hiroshiman]

Looks good

[Putaendo Patrick]

Very nice, I'm looking forward to seeing this finished!

Where did you get the design from? Were you influenced by the "Romsey Observatory" which was popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries?

[m.tweedy]

My wife said it had to look nice and wanted to be an Octagon.

it was based on the design of the Beverly hills Astronmoer

http://www.beverlyhillsastronomer.org/dome-1-north-dome/

but has been heavily modified

[m.tweedy]

bit more progress

now with 18mm exterior ply  (on its side showing all of the temporary bracing).

galvanized ring beam going on

first of the 16 bearings 

the side rollers assembled ready to attach.

the theory is they will roll along the edge of the galvanized beam to hold the roof in position.

THE BIG LIFT IS WEDNESDAY (weather dependent).

[m.tweedy]

My Joiner claims it is more like a tank turret than an observatory 

[m.tweedy]

The big lift happened today HOORAY

[Stu1976j]

Brilliant build you have there. looking really good

[Ouroboros]

Wonderful! It's looking good.  I admire those who can do DIY projects like this and would love to have the confidence to do it myself. 

[Physopto]

Just come across all the pics of the build. Looking good. Be great when eventually finished.

Derek

[m.tweedy]

A bit more progress and an alternative use for a clothes prop

Front lift off cover with radiator hangers. More work and a little rethink needed

Door now on

Little Narnia door that allows me to access the side of the shed

Roof due to be skinned in next 2 weeks

 

 

[timwetherell]

Looking good!

 

[m.tweedy]

Internal insulation on the walls done. The spare bits of ply are being trimmed to make the internal walls

Roof now skinned. It's rotates fine on the 16 bearings but the front hatch is heavy to lift off. A little 12v winch to help lower it springs to mind along with some gas struts to raise the top

 

 

[m.tweedy]

Finally finished and scope installed. 

[m.tweedy]

Full build documented here

 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN877XuXgI58dCcgUUm5skp-mcC8o7kH-vvzIE39hLPBlwrEjoZbb_xK1NracTKiw?key=UGdDTld0OGppTktzVlo1dW1wd1JReG9hRkZqek9n

[MarsG76]

Looks cool.... I also went for a nice small cosy kind of obsy... but instead of just the roof opening, I made the whole half of the hutt slide off to reveal the sky.

 

[Merlin66]

When I saw the title of this thread I immediately thought of the OctoDome I build back in the 80's.

Easy to build, flat panels, two-section wide slit; doors for low altitude objects and roll back top shutter for the rest....

Even added some windows! (Reject toughened, double glazed units for the high speed train project!)

Worked very very well for over ten years.

 

 

[pete_l]

5 hours ago, Merlin66 said:

When I saw the title of this thread I immediately thought of the OctoDome I build back in the 80's.

Yes. I like octagonal observatories. You get 20% more inside space for the same sized walls.

[m.tweedy]

On 10/09/2017 at 01:20, Merlin66 said:

When I saw the title of this thread I immediately thought of the OctoDome I build back in the 80's.

Easy to build, flat panels, two-section wide slit; doors for low altitude objects and roll back top shutter for the rest....

Even added some windows! (Reject toughened, double glazed units for the high speed train project!)

Worked very very well for over ten years.

 

 

Now thats a proper Observatory and scope

 

[Merlin66]

Michael, Thanks!!

I used the "Canopus 320" which I built in the late 70's for visual SN work. I checked hundreds of charts for Gregg Thompson and the "Supernova Search Charts"

I could get 15.5 mag limit from 15Km north of the city of Melbourne Australia.

Haaaa those were the days!!

 

[Ouroboros]

@m.tweedy.  Marvellous and well executed project!  I'm so often amazed at the DIY skills of many amateur astronomers. It must be above the average of the general population I would have thought.  I wonder why that is?   For some reason the confidence and ability to do something like this passed me by.

[m.tweedy]

6 hours ago, Ouroboros said:

@m.tweedy.  Marvellous and well executed project!  I'm so often amazed at the DIY skills of many amateur astronomers. It must be above the average of the general population I would have thought.  I wonder why that is?   For some reason the confidence and ability to do something like this passed me by.

Or in my case you employ a Carpenter as i have neither the skills or the physical ability (back bolted) since my operation.