Rotating Roof Observatory

[Davei]

A few pics of my new Crossways Observatory with a rotating roof which might be of interest for those with limited space. It had a design objective for whole-sky access but with only a 7 x 7 ft footprint in the garden. The fibre glass roof is 2 inches thick with a foam core to give it rigidity and minimum weight. It rotates in an East-West direction with a south-facing flap that folds down. One advantage of the fibreglass roof is that it insulates the observatory form heat during our occasional summer days.

The roof rotates about 2 stainless steel bearings with phosphor bronze linings and has about 250 lbs of cast iron counter weights on each side. The roof and counterweights have a total mass of about 1/3 ton but being balanced it can easily be rotated on and off by hand.

The 6 inch square section steel pier is offset in the observatory to allow more room for viewing to the south and is bolted down to a fully isolated 20 x 20 x 30 inch dep concrete block with steel rods going down a futher 3 ft.

All control of the mount and cameras is via a laptop & EQMOD from the adjacent shed which serves as a 'warm room'. I'm using CdC, Nebulosity 2 and PHD which work well. I 'd like to thank Norman Walker for his help and detailed design.

dave

[yesyes]

This sounds interesting...

But where are the pics? ;-)

[Rusty Strings]

Indeedy, must have pics...

[Breakintheclouds]

Yes, I need to see this too - it might be very useful for my own plans!

[CGolder]

Great Idea, is this something you constructed yourself? or had made for you

[Euan]

What a great idea, really inventive

One major bonus I like is that water will just run right off it, there's nothing worse than a flat roof for leaks and collecting water

[Davei]

Euan, Yes the fibreglass roof has rain water gutters molded into it at the East & West ends.

dave

[Davei]

Re: construction. I had the roof and building made for me and I made the Pivot Arms which proved too complex for my shed manufacturer! I then assembled it with help from Norman Walker who did all the detailed Autocad design.

dave

[Digz]

Sounds really interesting, but like others I am keen to see the pics.

[lukebl]

Sounds really interesting, but like others I am keen to see the pics.

I think you'll find them here: http://stargazerslounge.com/diy-observatories/106749-rotating-roof-obsy-pics.html.

That's a really neat and inventive solution. Well done.

[Davei]

Digz, the pics were posted yesterday in a seperate thread once I'd figured out the attachement process!

[CGolder]

Ah, yes i saw those pics. very interesting design. I hope to start building my own obsy soon

[Digz]

Ah, sorry, my bad should have looked for that. Cheers