My roll-off roof observatory setup

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akshay87kumar avatar

I’ve been into astrophotography since 2021, mostly working with portable setups under average skies and inconsistent weather. Like many hobbyists, my learning has been incremental. Some things worked, others didn’t - and my processing workflows are still evolving rather than “dialed in.”

Over time, the practical limits of portability and repeated setup effort pushed me toward building something more permanent. What eventually materialized is a small roll-off roof observatory, put together gradually over about six months, alongside regular work and with helpful inputs from others. There was no fixed master plan—most decisions evolved as real constraints, usage patterns, and lessons surfaced.

I’ve written a blog post that captures this journey: the transition from portable to permanent, how the layout and structure settled, and what only became clear after living with the setup. It’s experience-driven rather than a step-by-step design guide.

Link: Dr. Gopal Krishna Kunwar Observatory - Roll-off Observatory Setup

Location: Bhagalpur, Bihar (India)

📷 roll-off-roof-observatory-bhagalpur-astrophotography.jpgroll-off-roof-observatory-bhagalpur-astrophotography.jpg📷 PXL_20251230_071919062.RAW-01.COVER - Copy.jpgPXL_20251230_071919062.RAW-01.COVER - Copy.jpgThe site also includes my astrophotography images (including some remote observatory edits), additional photos of the setup, and a few other related blog posts for anyone who wants to explore further.

I’d genuinely welcome any kind of feedback—technical, practical, critical, or alternative approaches. Happy to discuss decisions, mistakes, or hear how others have handled similar transitions.

Clear Skies!
Akshay

Aleix Roig avatar

That’s a great observatory. I’m also the owner of a roll-off roof observatory that I have at home and that can be fully operated remotely. Since I started using it, the amount of data stored on my computer has increased enormously. Luckily, we now have several stormy weeks that I can use to carefully process the last months’ captures. I don’t know if this is your situation, but when you have an observatory with several setups (in my case, four), this can happen 🙂

Great to see your setups, and don’t stop posting.

Best wishes,

Aleix Roig

Well Written Respectful Engaging Supportive
Rainer Ehlert avatar

Congratulations for the new place.

If you think this will be the end of tinkering you are mistaken 🤣 now it really starts and every time you are there inside you will find ways to improve it… Ask me how I know it after 18 years sitting in a ROR Observatory 🥸

Remember my words in 12 months 🤣

Happy Astronomy-ing …

Engaging Supportive
Astro Jeep avatar

Having my own observatory is the eventual goal. You built a very nice one. Congratulations! I also like your website too.

Well Written Respectful Supportive
Tony Gondola avatar

That’s very nicely done and a dream of many of us. Good on ya….

David DeShan avatar

Great setup!

akshay87kumar avatar

Tony Gondola · Jan 10, 2026, 04:18 PM

That’s very nicely done and a dream of many of us. Good on ya….

Astro Jeep · Jan 10, 2026, 03:49 PM

Having my own observatory is the eventual goal. You built a very nice one. Congratulations! I also like your website too.

Aleix Roig · Jan 9, 2026, 07:43 PM

That’s a great observatory. I’m also the owner of a roll-off roof observatory that I have at home and that can be fully operated remotely. Since I started using it, the amount of data stored on my computer has increased enormously. Luckily, we now have several stormy weeks that I can use to carefully process the last months’ captures. I don’t know if this is your situation, but when you have an observatory with several setups (in my case, four), this can happen 🙂

Great to see your setups, and don’t stop posting.

Best wishes,

Aleix Roig

Rainer Ehlert · Jan 9, 2026, 08:20 PM

Congratulations for the new place.

If you think this will be the end of tinkering you are mistaken 🤣 now it really starts and every time you are there inside you will find ways to improve it… Ask me how I know it after 18 years sitting in a ROR Observatory 🥸

Remember my words in 12 months 🤣

Happy Astronomy-ing …

Thanks everyone for the wonderful words! I am indeed waiting for the foggy nights to go away in a week or so.