Re: ATM Home observatory advice requested

[Gordon Tulloch <gtulloch@shaw.ca>]

John:

I had good success this summer building a 8x8 run off roof shed to house 
an 8" f10 and (later) a 16" f5 scope. I bought a prefab 
build-iot-yourself shed from the local Home Depot clone and simply cut 
the prefab trusses at the appropriate height, shortened them, added top 
and bottom plates, and added 600lb rated wheels running in steel garage 
door tracking. Works great and not too expensive, about $1500CDN total, 
plus three weeks work to put it together (mostly me, with my father 
helping with the things impossible with one guy).

This should work well with a 10x10 shed as well. Check out pictures of 
the construction at www.gordtulloch.com/html/building_the_rcao.html

Good luck!

Regards,
   Gord

John D. Gallagher wrote:

> Fellow ATM list members,
> I have been lucky enough to purchase some open acreage in a relative dark sky area, and hope to build a home observatory. I've browsed the Web, checked back issues of S&T, and been disappointed by  Moore's book on Small Astronomical Observatories. (The individual chapters were fine, the overall content outline failed to address many important considerations.) Mel Bartels asked for advice about a similar project a few years ago, but I've not heard his final solutions. Anyway, here goes:
> First question: Is it better to have a separate building or to make the observatory part of the living quarters or garage?
> I am leaning towards the garage, New Hampshire is snowy, I'll be higher up and get a better horizon without the house being as much in the way.
> Second: I don't want to have a dome as it is too conspicuous. I'd like advice as to whether a roll-off roof or door opening design is better. 
> Sixth: I hope for a 10 ft  by 10 ft opening although 8 by 8 may be more reasonable if I choose doors. Any opinions?