53 replies to this topic

[TSSClay]

I had to share this here in the Observatories forum.  The crew from Backyard Observatories is on day three of my observatory build in some very hot weather.  Great progress is being made and I couldn't be happier.  I have been taking pictures thinking to do an article for the local astronomy club newsletter.  Yesterday's progress looks like this:

 

 

I will post more pictures as the build progresses.

 

Best Regards

Clay Kessler

[jim kuhns]

Notice the back build, warm up room?  The picture gives a  illusion of the looks to be two buildings.

[TSSClay]

Jim,

 

The back building is a warm/control room but will also function as an equipment warehouse.  It will be nice to get most stuff in the same place.

 

Clay

[jim kuhns]

Generally do not need a warm up room here though this past winter was colder than
normal, and not here only but many parts of the eastern side of the U.S.
I am pretty sure that room will be used a lot starting as early as mid to late
September.

[mich_al]

So, 3 official observatories within a 1/4 mile radius ? Seems like something of a hotspot. Congratulations on the new building.

[Garyth64]

Lets have a star party out at Clays!

[petert913]

Backyard Observatories looks like a great company.  I wonder if there is such a service

here in the Pacific Northwest? 

[TSSClay]

Gary,

 

That is a great idea - come on out!

 

Peter, 

 

Scott and his crew go all over the US doing this.  I can attest to his high standard of workmanship.

 

Clay

[TSSClay]

I took a few pictures of the results of today's work.

 

Outside:

 

The building is taking shape.  I like the doors and windows provided.  The interior layout is very nice and will be great for imaging.

 

Clay

[TSSClay]

I also have a couple of inside shots.

 

 

This is the control room/warehouse area.  I expect I will wish I had a basement here or something but the space is very usable for my current needs.  I do tend to accumulate a fair number of project scopes.  I hope by organizing theme here IO will both finish the projects and use them more often.

 

The observatory interior:

 

 

I have had this pier out here for 15 years.  At this point I think I will need more height.  I am considering building a box structure of welded steel and place the pier on top of it using the same bolts to fasten it to the concrete pier base.

 

Clay

[TSSClay]

Day four,  almost finished.  Left to do is the siding (trim is in place), the roof drive and the interior window.  I expect some weatherstripping as well.  I tried to convince my wife that the vinyl siding was in OSB color - she didn't buy it.....

 

 

 

It looks like I can start moving in on the 4th!  WOOHOO!!!!

 

Clay

[Garyth64]

I like how the one roof overlaps the other.  Brilliant!

[dallen24]

They're similar to scissor trusses.  BTW, all RORs should be done with scissor trusses.  They give you more headroom and you can get away with shorter walls.  Shorter walls mean more horizon and better leverage in rolling off the roof.

Edited by dallen24, 03 July 2018 - 01:52 PM.

[torsinadoc]

I really like this design. Did you make that design or BYO?

[TSSClay]

When I was discussing the design with Scott he asked me to ignore the common sizes that I saw on his website and just describe what I want.  I have always wanted a design that had a 10 x 10 observatory where the roof rolled over above a control/warm room.  Several years ago when I had the concrete pad poured around the pier I went for 10 x 20 feet.  (the pier has been there for 15 years - almost to the day)  Scott told me he could build what I described.  True to his word - what he built matched the picture in my mind exactly.  I have wanted this for a while but didn't know how to build it.  Scott did.

 

I will post finished pictures this evening.

 

Clay

[TSSClay]

The construction portion of the job is finished.  I have a shiny new observatory to call my own.  I can't believe how hard the BYO Guys (and Gal!) worked in the mid 90's heat we have had.  I am extremely happy with the result.

 

As promised - Pictures:

 

Roof Open -

 

South Wall Folds! -

 

More.......

[TSSClay]

More Pictures:

 

Motor Drive -

 

 

Observatory floor -

 

 

Note the pier is too short for the building.  That pier has been in place for 15 years and has provided great service.  I will need to make a riser and raise the mount and scope so I can properly polar align among other things.  Tomorrow I will re-install the mount and measure how much height I will need.  Fortunately welding a riser will be pretty simple.

 

More pictures.....

[TSSClay]

Finally closed up.

 

Picture from the south -

 

 

And from the north -

 

 

I now have to wire the observatory for electrical and move stuff in.  I should finish just in time for the months of storms I was warned about.

 

Clay Kessler

[Mick G]

Clay,

All I can say is WOW.  I'm jealous.  When can i get a tour?

 

Mick

[TSSClay]

Mick,
Any time you can come by. Probably better to wait until I have it wired and set up.

Clay

[LoveChina61]

What will you install as the observatory’s main mount and scope? What camera (if any)?

An awesome observatory. Congratulations!


Mike

[SometimesKen]

Beautiful observatory, Scott certainly does nice work! Love the name too, but please, please keep the month of clouds in MI! 

Good Luck and I wish you many years of use! 

 

Beat regards,

Ken

[roscoe]

They're similar to scissor trusses.  BTW, all RORs should be done with scissor trusses.  They give you more headroom and you can get away with shorter walls.  Shorter walls mean more horizon and better leverage in rolling off the roof.

Yes, open roof rafters like BYO have built you are plenty strong enough for a small or midsize observatory, the end framing is totally sufficient to keep the roof from pancaking on a roof that short.  An easily installed upgrade, for slightly larger roofs, or ones with significant snow loads, is to add 'collar-ties' up close to the peak.  A collar tie half-way down a rafter is (if I remember right) 90% as strong as one at the base of the rafters...and offers significantly more headroom.

 

Overall, my sincere compliments to the BYO crew, they do a thouroughly professional job with their observatories,.....I've been a carpenter my whole life, I can spot right off the difference between good enough and good....those folks do DARN good work! They could put about half as much lumber in there, and the building would still stand up.....

[Garyth64]

Yes, open roof rafters like BYO have built you are plenty strong enough for a small or midsize observatory, the end framing is totally sufficient to keep the roof from pancaking on a roof that short.  An easily installed upgrade, for slightly larger roofs, or ones with significant snow loads, is to add 'collar-ties' up close to the peak.  A collar tie half-way down a rafter is (if I remember right) 90% as strong as one at the base of the rafters...and offers significantly more headroom.

 

Overall, my sincere compliments to the BYO crew, they do a thouroughly professional job with their observatories,.....I've been a carpenter my whole life, I can spot right off the difference between good enough and good....those folks do DARN good work! They could put about half as much lumber in there, and the building would still stand up.....

 

Ditto, and I agree.  It's attention to the little details that counts too

[TSSClay]

What will you install as the observatory’s main mount and scope? What camera (if any)?

An awesome observatory. Congratulations!


Mike

Mike,

I already have a Losmandy Titan that has been on the pier for almost a year.  Currently it carries an Explore Scientific 80mm ED triplet.  I am in the process of making an ES 127ED Franken-Scope and when finished that will reside on the titan along with an 8" R/C.  Cameras - several DSLR's including a 60Da, ASI1600MM-C and ASI294MC-Pro.

 

Clay