Before I start.
English is not my first language, so I'm sorry if there are misspellings or maybe the way I phrase things are not correct. I did my best.
Why an observatory?
When I started this hobby back in 2018, I bought a used C8 Edge HD on a CGEM2 mount. A very nice setup, but also heavy to move around, and I found that many nights, when there was only a small chance of a clear sky and only for a short period of time, my setup stayed inside where it did no good, simply because I didn’t want to put the effort into moving, aligning, de-climatize etc. just for a couple of hours of data.
Luckily my wife have always been very supportive no matter how crazy my ideas were. I went to her asking, what she thought about the idea of an observatory. I explained to her what my ideas were and why, and as always besides a few suggestions, she gave me green light to go ahead with my crazy plan.
Where should the observatory be build?
Two things I had to consider regarding the location. The horizon from the piers location and how it affected / blocked the view from the house. I set up my smaller setup different places and also tried to visualize the size of the building with some lumber I had laying around.
What kind of observatory?
I started looking into what my options were. Pros and cons in the different options. What was a nice to have and what was a need to have. Also there was some limitations regarding what the local council would permit.
Due to the limitation of the size I could get a permit for, my initial thought was a dome observatory, but I quickly realized, that this was not the option for me.
Firstly I would like something that would blend in a bit more, not only for the aesthetic of the look, but also I didn’t want to shout out, that this was an observatory, that might contain expensive equipment.
Secondly I wanted a warm room, where I could sit with my laptop, and enjoy a good cup of coffee or a good whisky once everything was up and running.
Thirdly I read several articles about this “chimney effect”. That it would take longer to de-climatize and all that warm air would end up in front of the scope escaping the dome. (There are also benefits with a dome solution, but for me they didn't count as much)
I decided for a roll of roof observatory with a single peer. A cold room of 3x3m (10x10ft) and a warm room of 1,5x3m (5x10ft)
I was limited to a total build of 10m2 (107ft2) according to local regulations, but took the chance and send in the drawings to the council. Luckily I got the permit with a dispensation for the 13,5m2 (145ft2).
So now the build.
Since the area was a bit low and I wanted a lawn in the area around the observatory, I got a bit of sand (60T in total) to raise the entire level.
I then measured out the location precisely and dug down 1,2 meter for the foundation.
The foundation got build, and I but in 50mm of polystyrene on all sides as well as isolating the cold rooms floor from the warm rooms. Also I put in a cable pipe going into the house for electricity and internet.
150mm polystyrene was laid down as insolation and to dampen any vibration when moving around. Also a cable trench was put in from the pier location to the wall facing the warm room. I didn’t know if I needed some more cables in the cold room, this is the reason why I didn’t have it come out directly in the warm room.
The floor got casted.
And the walls got erected. For the rails for the roof I found some heavy duty gate rails and some wheels for it, that could take 560kg per wheel (I put in 10 of those). We’ll get back to that later, why it needed to be such heavy duty.
I then casted some nice solid foundations for the pillars that should take the load of the roof.
A temporarily roof was made, so I could leave my tools out there, and also so there wouldn’t be any water damage to the construction.
Winter came, but the work continued...
I installed a skylight in the warm room, so I could see if the clouds rolled in. I can also see some stars from the warm room now, but if I really want to enjoy the night sky, I take my sleeping bag, and lay down in the cold room, waiting for my eyes to adjust.
The pier got installed. I but in a cable pipe from the bottom of the peer to the top, so I could pull the wires inside.
After 14 days the mount and scope got installed. Also equipment got organized in drawers.
A bit more roofing. This is only the first out of two layers. The top layer is much stronger, so it can withstand roots from grasses etc. Also the the rain gutter had to be a bit special, since there is a separation in the middle when the roof comes off.
Rubber floor, so when (not if) I drop something the chances of survival is a little bit better. Also It's nicer to walk on. (No shoes allowed in the observatory!)
And of cause the light can switch between red and white light.
Warm room are starting to come together.
Now the reason for the heavy duty rails for the roof.
For the wife to approve the project, it needed to blend in. It was a small price to pay and I quite liked this solution myself.
And a small upgrade, now that I don’t have to move the scope and mount anymore.
And almost done. There are a small things missing here and there, but I’m sure I’ll get those done shortly.
Anything I would have done differently?
two piers if I had the chance, but I’m limited in the size I can make the observatory.
I haven’t had any issues with it yet, but I have a feeling that since wood expands and contracts, it would have been beneficial to create a frame for the entire building in iron, so I don’t risk getting misalignments in the future.
The foundation for the peer is solid enough. It’s not going to move, but I would have liked to have more concrete in it, so it doesn’t obtain vibrations as easy. I haven’t had issues yet, but I am tiptoeing when imaging and moving around in the cold room. A rule of thumb is one 1m2 of concrete. I have maybe a bit more than half of that in.
What is the purpose with this post?
First of all I hope that if you are considering to build one yourself, but have questions, you can either see or ask how I did it. I have a lot more photos that shows each step, and are more than happy to answer any questions. I’m in no way a professional and can’t guarantee, that what I tell you is the best or even the right way to do it, but I have read a fair bit of articles about the subject, and are more than happy to share my experience with you. But preparation is half the job, so read as much as you can before starting a project like this.
Secondly and more important. If you are thinking about getting a home observatory yourself, I hope this will assist in kickstarting your project. My biggest regret is, that I didn’t start the project sooner. Even on cloudy days, I go to the observatory to test things out. If there is only a couple of hours of clear skies, the roof comes off. Everything about this hobby becomes so much easier and enjoyable when having an observatory.
Hope you enjoyed this post.
Clear skies everyone.
English is not my first language, so I'm sorry if there are misspellings or maybe the way I phrase things are not correct. I did my best.
Why an observatory?
When I started this hobby back in 2018, I bought a used C8 Edge HD on a CGEM2 mount. A very nice setup, but also heavy to move around, and I found that many nights, when there was only a small chance of a clear sky and only for a short period of time, my setup stayed inside where it did no good, simply because I didn’t want to put the effort into moving, aligning, de-climatize etc. just for a couple of hours of data.
Luckily my wife have always been very supportive no matter how crazy my ideas were. I went to her asking, what she thought about the idea of an observatory. I explained to her what my ideas were and why, and as always besides a few suggestions, she gave me green light to go ahead with my crazy plan.
Where should the observatory be build?
Two things I had to consider regarding the location. The horizon from the piers location and how it affected / blocked the view from the house. I set up my smaller setup different places and also tried to visualize the size of the building with some lumber I had laying around.
What kind of observatory?
I started looking into what my options were. Pros and cons in the different options. What was a nice to have and what was a need to have. Also there was some limitations regarding what the local council would permit.
Due to the limitation of the size I could get a permit for, my initial thought was a dome observatory, but I quickly realized, that this was not the option for me.
Firstly I would like something that would blend in a bit more, not only for the aesthetic of the look, but also I didn’t want to shout out, that this was an observatory, that might contain expensive equipment.
Secondly I wanted a warm room, where I could sit with my laptop, and enjoy a good cup of coffee or a good whisky once everything was up and running.
Thirdly I read several articles about this “chimney effect”. That it would take longer to de-climatize and all that warm air would end up in front of the scope escaping the dome. (There are also benefits with a dome solution, but for me they didn't count as much)
I decided for a roll of roof observatory with a single peer. A cold room of 3x3m (10x10ft) and a warm room of 1,5x3m (5x10ft)
I was limited to a total build of 10m2 (107ft2) according to local regulations, but took the chance and send in the drawings to the council. Luckily I got the permit with a dispensation for the 13,5m2 (145ft2).
So now the build.
Since the area was a bit low and I wanted a lawn in the area around the observatory, I got a bit of sand (60T in total) to raise the entire level.
I then measured out the location precisely and dug down 1,2 meter for the foundation.
The foundation got build, and I but in 50mm of polystyrene on all sides as well as isolating the cold rooms floor from the warm rooms. Also I put in a cable pipe going into the house for electricity and internet.
150mm polystyrene was laid down as insolation and to dampen any vibration when moving around. Also a cable trench was put in from the pier location to the wall facing the warm room. I didn’t know if I needed some more cables in the cold room, this is the reason why I didn’t have it come out directly in the warm room.
The floor got casted.
And the walls got erected. For the rails for the roof I found some heavy duty gate rails and some wheels for it, that could take 560kg per wheel (I put in 10 of those). We’ll get back to that later, why it needed to be such heavy duty.
I then casted some nice solid foundations for the pillars that should take the load of the roof.
A temporarily roof was made, so I could leave my tools out there, and also so there wouldn’t be any water damage to the construction.
Winter came, but the work continued...
I installed a skylight in the warm room, so I could see if the clouds rolled in. I can also see some stars from the warm room now, but if I really want to enjoy the night sky, I take my sleeping bag, and lay down in the cold room, waiting for my eyes to adjust.
The pier got installed. I but in a cable pipe from the bottom of the peer to the top, so I could pull the wires inside.
After 14 days the mount and scope got installed. Also equipment got organized in drawers.
A bit more roofing. This is only the first out of two layers. The top layer is much stronger, so it can withstand roots from grasses etc. Also the the rain gutter had to be a bit special, since there is a separation in the middle when the roof comes off.
Rubber floor, so when (not if) I drop something the chances of survival is a little bit better. Also It's nicer to walk on. (No shoes allowed in the observatory!)
And of cause the light can switch between red and white light.
Warm room are starting to come together.
Now the reason for the heavy duty rails for the roof.
For the wife to approve the project, it needed to blend in. It was a small price to pay and I quite liked this solution myself.
And a small upgrade, now that I don’t have to move the scope and mount anymore.
And almost done. There are a small things missing here and there, but I’m sure I’ll get those done shortly.
Anything I would have done differently?
two piers if I had the chance, but I’m limited in the size I can make the observatory.
I haven’t had any issues with it yet, but I have a feeling that since wood expands and contracts, it would have been beneficial to create a frame for the entire building in iron, so I don’t risk getting misalignments in the future.
The foundation for the peer is solid enough. It’s not going to move, but I would have liked to have more concrete in it, so it doesn’t obtain vibrations as easy. I haven’t had issues yet, but I am tiptoeing when imaging and moving around in the cold room. A rule of thumb is one 1m2 of concrete. I have maybe a bit more than half of that in.
What is the purpose with this post?
First of all I hope that if you are considering to build one yourself, but have questions, you can either see or ask how I did it. I have a lot more photos that shows each step, and are more than happy to answer any questions. I’m in no way a professional and can’t guarantee, that what I tell you is the best or even the right way to do it, but I have read a fair bit of articles about the subject, and are more than happy to share my experience with you. But preparation is half the job, so read as much as you can before starting a project like this.
Secondly and more important. If you are thinking about getting a home observatory yourself, I hope this will assist in kickstarting your project. My biggest regret is, that I didn’t start the project sooner. Even on cloudy days, I go to the observatory to test things out. If there is only a couple of hours of clear skies, the roof comes off. Everything about this hobby becomes so much easier and enjoyable when having an observatory.
Hope you enjoyed this post.
Clear skies everyone.
