Observatory-I

Note on August 17, 2000 - A work desk has been installed on the North wall. The interior has been painted a flat blue close to the blue of the LX200 telescope. All the switches to help control roof movement have been installed - now to just find the time to debug the roof controller!

Note on March 20,2000 - The only work done since 2/7/2000 was the addition of the riser pier to bring the LX200 up to a comfortable height. This was made from a 12" SonoTube, rebar, 3/4" threaded rod and four 80 pound bags of concrete. The LX200 is now mounted on the riser. I can not detect any motion in the eyepiece when I jump up and down in the observatory. However, if I strike the riser, it will ring for about 15 seconds. I guess the best thing to do is not hit the riser! I have moved the roof controller out to the observatory and started debugging the program. I still have a little work to do on the program.

Note on February 7, 2000 - All outside work is now done, except for some trim. The inside is also almost finished. Power and inside lights are operational. I have temporarily set up my LX-200 on it's tripod to get a little use out of it. While working on the motorization of the roof, I stripped a gear out in one of the two DC gear head motors I am using. I made a replacement for this gear (and a spare also). I have finished programming a PIC16C74 that will run the motors for roof control. It will provide both a manual and computer (via RS-232) control over the roof. I still need to install limit switches, and a switch on one of the wheels to monitor roof movement. Due to snow, ice and cold weather, I have not been able to get out and do this!

The construction of a permanent observatory will be a life long dream come true! Having recently moved into a new house several miles out of the closest town, I have fairly dark skies. My viewing field will be limited by trees and houses to about 150° from North to South, and 45° from East to West.

The first step was the pier. On April 10, 1999, a total of 4,480 pounds of concrete was mixed and poured. Since then I have almost built the entire observatory. As of June 21, 1999, all that remains is vinyl siding, wiring the inside, motorizing the rolling roof and building the pier riser to accommodate the LX200. Plans and progress can be followed by clicking on the link to the left.

From all I have read, a roll off roof observatory is the best candidate. While not having that "real" observatory look of a dome, it has advantages of easier construction (a dome is not easily done from wood) - but more importantly, it tends to give better seeing compared to a dome. In a dome there is typically a open slot from horizon to zenith for the telescope to look through. Any heat generated within the dome is also going to be rising out of this slot, thereby degrading the viewing. By opening the entire structure with a roll off roof, rising hot air is not concentrated in one area, thereby improving seeing – compared to a dome.

I had previously selected a location in my backyard for the observatory, complete with 110 VAC and network wiring running underground to the location from my basement work area.

My long term goal is to automate the observatory to the point that it can be opened, operated, and closed from the comfort of my basement via the network link.

Construction has begun - please click on the links to the left to see the progress!

Picture 1 is looking North.
Picture 2 is looking East.
Picture 3 is looking South.
Picture 4 is looking West.

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