Grampian Stars 37.11 Sth. 142.36 Est.
	Grampian Stars Observatory

Roll off Roof Observatory

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STAGE (1) Southern Winter Solstice 21st June 2003, just nine hours and 33 minutes of daylight & I'm finally underway with construction. The permenant pier is an 8 foot x 8 inch h.d. galvanised steel pipe, painted with bitumum, burried in reinforced concrete to a depth of 4.5ft.

The base plate is 12 inch x 3/4 inch steel arc welded on top. A matching levelling plate held with 4 x 20mm stainless steel threaded rod is attached for micro accurate levelling, due to the flexture of the base plate when welding. I alligned true north/south by a wooden beam clamped to the west edge of the plate, extending 7feet north with a compass mounted on the end. the peir was alligned to allow for 10 degree east magnetic declination.

STAGE (2) I originally set out to build a 3mt. X 3mt. roll off roof observatory. However, once the foundations were laid out, and before digging holes, I became aware that a 3mt. East x West axis. and 3.2mt. North. x South.axis, with a slightly offset telescope peir to the North/East, is a better viewing configuration for my location. The Redwood 4'' x 4'' support piers are burried 700mm down with a concrete brick at the base to prevent further settling.

All wood used for the bearers is pressured hardwood. Extending the decking 200mm towards South resulted in removing a gate latching post. However better viewing access towards the North x North/East is now possible.The hardwood deck top is suspended to give a peir height of 1 mt. & fastened with galvanised deck nails. A jigsaw was used to trim around the peir leaving a clearance of 25mm and a coat of oil finishes this stage

STAGE (3) Early October rains interupted at every opportunity over 4 days at the framing stage. I used 2" x 4" treated pine for all frames and noggins held together with galvanised nails . The corners are solid 4" x 4" treated pine posts. They're held to the frames top and bottom for rigid strength with 3/8" x 6" bolts on both axis with galvanised nails securing the rest of the frame for vertical alignement. I wanted the roof to roll smoothly so I added the first of dual out-riggers for the roll off section before building the fold down wall sections.

The reasoning behind this was to ensure the final wall height exactly matches the top of the out-riggers without the need of shims. As I do not want a hot tin shed radiating heat and dripping condensation on equipment. I used over-lapping treated 4" x 1/2" pine siding to match the house with a foil backed moisture / insulation barrier underneath. Shown here before the fold down wall sections and roof details are completed.

STAGE (5) With the East wall down the wall height drops to 5' givng a clear view to the horizon. Ideal for drift alighning and great for sighting equinox risings of stars and planets. The full moon from a dark polution free location is especially stunning coming up over the horizon.

Finally construction comple! The base boards add stability to the odservatory by linking all the external footings together. An added advantage on those moon lit nights, or when the wind is blowing, the observatory walls can be put up giving a 7' height, preventing buffeting on the scope when imaging.

STAGE (5) The night sky views are fantastic with only a 4% backround glow affecting the site. Views are down to +15 deg. of the north horizon, +25 deg. of the west horizon and +15 deg. of the east horizon. The roof rolls south with the views available seasonally.

To view the many and varied amateur observatories cruise over to Bill Arnett's great site for further inspiration.

For ideas, suggestions, questions and discussion on personal observatories check out the Observatory forum.

Any comments or recommendations for this site please send me an e-mail

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