[ATM] Stone observatory folly

["Michael Burr" <mtburr@msn.com>]

Greetings:

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post re: a stone observatory foundation. I'm grateful for the many helpful and thoughtful posts.

As an update, I think a stone foundation will work. I am even toying with the idea of building a "tower" like structure, as much of stone as possible, to raise the observatory up off the ground and thus improve seeing as well as horizon. (Truth be told, I'm attracted to the idea of building a stone tower for its own sake, and making it an observatory sweetens the deal.) Here you will find a quickie web page devoted to this project: www.mtburr.com/observatory

However, after looking into the logistics and materials requirements for building a stone tower, I think I'll be scaling back those plans. It would take me at least several years to build the tower I have in mind, and I don't want to wait that long to get an observatory planted. I haven't decided how to proceed -- whether to scrap the tower idea altogether (i.e., it may be utter folly) or to build a temporary observatory right away and pursue a stone tower on a long-term plan. 

I'd welcome comments, especially from those with stone-masonry experience. The rocks around here are mostly granite, which complicates matters because it's much more difficult to break than sandstone or limestone. I probably have 300-400 rocks of the size that I can lift, and another 300-500 larger rocks and boulders available onsite. I can get other material locally but with more hassle and expense.

Anyway, thanks again, ...

Clear Skies,
MTB
www.mtburr.com/binoscopes
www.mtburr.com/observatory
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