Re: ATM Home observatory advice requested

["Bob May" <bobmay@nethere.com>]

As to rolloff roofs, the MacDonald Observatory at Stellafane is one of them
of the large size and there is a door in the roof that has to be open to let
the scope by the roof section.  That observatory isn't too far from where
you are if you are in NH. as it is just west of Springfield, Vt.
The type of housing that you decide upon will determine how exposed you are
to the elements there.  Personally, I'd prefer to make a more traditional
dome with a slit in it as that design protects you very well from the wind
and that will make the space a lot warmer than an open top building.
As to whether to make the scope area part of another building, remember that
vibrations are the bane of any telescope and having somebody walking about
on a flexible floor tends to make everything move a lot.
As to materials used for the pier, I'll note that concrete is quite dead
vibrationwise and is cheap to make up.  Wood is just too flexible unless it
is well braced or a huge piece.  A yard wide pier will go up to the floor of
the observatory and something smaller may be used from there.  That center
area is pretty much wasted anyway.
Bob May
http://nav.to/bobmay
bobmay@nethere.com
NEW! http://bobmay.astronomy.net