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Backyard Observatories update from Diane

Started by Dob Frog , Mar 25 2025 04:04 PM

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24 replies to this topic

#1 Dob Frog

Ninjamphibian

topic starter

Posts: 9,953
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Loc: Ohio

Posted 25 March 2025 - 04:04 PM

Hello Cloudy Nighters, Diane here. I am writing to let all of you know and to make a public announcement to the astronomy community in regards to our company Backyard Observatories. Scott and I have been building roll-off roof observatories since 2003 and are so grateful to the people we have worked with and met along the way. We have been able to travel this wonderful country, seeing the sights and meeting amazing folks all along the way.

Scott suffered a stroke recently and while he is on the mend, we have had to come to the realization that for at least a time, we will not be able to do any observatory builds.

We are still offering all our mail order items, ie. building plans, motors, rollers, and piers. The mail order business will continue and prayerfully we can return to building observatories once again. We have gotten behind on e-mails and we are working diligently to get caught up and will be in touch. Please bear with us.

This has been an agonizing decision and I do apologize for the lack of response. Our world was turned upside-down and we are working to make it right again.

Clear skies,

Diane and Scott Horstman

Backyard Observatories

www.backyardobservatories.com

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#2 BKBrown

Fly Me to the Moon

Posts: 5,252
Joined: 22 Aug 2009
Loc: Under dark skies in central Virginia, USA

Posted 25 March 2025 - 04:35 PM

Keeping y'all in my prayers Diane...

Clear Skies,

Brian

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#3 Dob Frog

Ninjamphibian

topic starter

Posts: 9,953
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Loc: Ohio

Posted 25 March 2025 - 04:39 PM

Keeping y'all in my prayers Diane...

Clear Skies,

Brian

Thank you so much! We really appreciate the prayers.

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#4 roscoe

curmudgeon

Posts: 12,822
Joined: 04 Feb 2009
Loc: NW Mass, inches from VT

Posted 25 March 2025 - 05:13 PM

Ohmygosh!! Please tell Scott that I will keep him in my thoughts, and truly wish him a rapid and complete recovery!

I have never needed your services, I'm a carpenter, but have followed much of your work through the years. Building onsite observatories is a wonderful service to so many astronomers, I do hope you can both get back on the road soon!

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#5 Dob Frog

Ninjamphibian

topic starter

Posts: 9,953
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Loc: Ohio

Posted 25 March 2025 - 06:26 PM

Ohmygosh!! Please tell Scott that I will keep him in my thoughts, and truly wish him a rapid and complete recovery!

I have never needed your services, I'm a carpenter, but have followed much of your work through the years. Building onsite observatories is a wonderful service to so many astronomers, I do hope you can both get back on the road soon!

I will tell him. Thank you so much!

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#6 Stanty8

Sputnik

Posts: 29
Joined: 27 Jul 2022

Posted 25 March 2025 - 06:58 PM

Wishing Scott a speedy recovery!

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#7 Jeff Morgan

James Webb Space Telescope

Posts: 16,802
Joined: 28 Sep 2003
Loc: Prescott, AZ

Posted 25 March 2025 - 11:34 PM

Very sad news, I hope Scott makes a strong recovery.

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#8 The Planetman

Apollo

Posts: 1,101
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Loc: Western KY

Posted 26 March 2025 - 06:44 AM

Very sad news indeed. But we're glad to hear Scott is on the road to recovery.
You, Scott, and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

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#9 Dob Frog

Ninjamphibian

topic starter

Posts: 9,953
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Loc: Ohio

Posted 26 March 2025 - 09:42 AM

Thank you all so much! Your kind words, thoughts, and prayers mean so much to us.

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#10 Digital Don

Gemini

Posts: 3,252
Joined: 20 Jan 2004
Loc: Manteno, IL

Posted 26 March 2025 - 07:14 PM

Diane and Scott,

Both of you have changed the lives of so many people! I know all of us wish Scott the speediest of recoveries, and both of you the strength to get through this - and you will.

We will keep you in our prayers.

Don

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#11 CharLakeAstro

Mercury-Atlas

Posts: 2,841
Joined: 12 Jan 2015
Loc: 44.5N

Posted 26 March 2025 - 08:43 PM

Diane / Scott

Thanks for sharing this personal note with the community. We wish you strength during this time, and a recovery to full health for Scott. Prayers of support for both of you

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#12 jkhalaf

Lift Off

Posts: 14
Joined: 29 Oct 2012

Posted 26 March 2025 - 11:05 PM

Thanks for sharing that update, I was wondering if something had happened aftr I sent an email last month asking if Scott was available to build 2- 25'x35' observatories. I hope he has a smooth path to recovery and that he gets back to normalcy soon.

Joe

Hello Cloudy Nighters, Diane here. I am writing to let all of you know and to make a public announcement to the astronomy community in regards to our company Backyard Observatories. Scott and I have been building roll-off roof observatories since 2003 and are so grateful to the people we have worked with and met along the way. We have been able to travel this wonderful country, seeing the sights and meeting amazing folks all along the way.

Scott suffered a stroke recently and while he is on the mend, we have had to come to the realization that for at least a time, we will not be able to do any observatory builds.

We are still offering all our mail order items, ie. building plans, motors, rollers, and piers. The mail order business will continue and prayerfully we can return to building observatories once again. We have gotten behind on e-mails and we are working diligently to get caught up and will be in touch. Please bear with us.

This has been an agonizing decision and I do apologize for the lack of response. Our world was turned upside-down and we are working to make it right again.

Clear skies,

Diane and Scott Horstman

Backyard Observatories

www.backyardobservatories.com

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#13 SeismicGeo

Lift Off

Posts: 1
Joined: 26 Mar 2013
Loc: Houston Texas

Posted 27 March 2025 - 08:39 AM

Sorry to hear that troubling news, but thanks for letting us know. Scott built my 12’x12’ roll off #208 on April 8, 2015 in less than 3 days. It was amazing watching him work. After 10 years it’s still operating flawlessly. I’m very fortunate that he was able to fit me in his schedule at that busy time.
Rob Torrey

Houston Texas

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#14 CarolG

Surveyor 1

Posts: 1,761
Joined: 16 Oct 2006
Loc: Montana

Posted 27 March 2025 - 10:15 AM

Diane, I am so sorry to hear about Scott. I know this must be a very difficult time for you both. I wish you both the best and hope Scott makes a full recovery.

Carol G

PS Here's a couple of photos taken during your time in Montana.

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#15 Dob Frog

Ninjamphibian

topic starter

Posts: 9,953
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Loc: Ohio

Posted 27 March 2025 - 05:57 PM

I cannot express enough how you've all touched me with your kind words (and Carol the pictures! My puppy!). I have to say that ever since we lost our long time friend/partner Don in 2019, I was so fortunate to be able to start traveling and working with Scott. Many times it was just the two of us, and I have to agree what an amazing builder Scott is! We have such fond memories of all the folks we've met along the way. We truly left builds having made new friends.

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#16 Special Ed

Hubble

Posts: 12,944
Joined: 18 May 2003
Loc: Greenbrier County, WV 38N, 80W

Posted 27 March 2025 - 06:27 PM

Very sorry to hear this news--stay strong. Wishing Scott a speedy recovery.

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#17 havasman

James Webb Space Telescope

Posts: 16,749
Joined: 04 Aug 2013
Loc: Dallas, Texas

Posted 27 March 2025 - 06:31 PM

Highest hopes for Scott having a full recovery, and soon! A friend of mine had a bad stroke (is there a good one?) and within 5 or 6 months had recovered significantly. Now, 4 or 5 years later, he bears no signs of that trauma and we all celebrate that good fortune when we get together. May Scott have the same successful recovery!

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#18 Victory Pete

Gemini

Posts: 3,024
Joined: 23 Aug 2022
Loc: Rhode Island

Posted 28 March 2025 - 06:31 AM

So sorry to hear this, I just got your 11' 6" x 11' 6" plans recently and will be building soon. I was hoping to meet you both at NEAF.

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#19 Kitfox

Gemini

Posts: 3,012
Joined: 25 May 2022
Loc: North Carolina, USA

Posted 28 March 2025 - 08:57 AM

Those of you who have met Diane, feel doubly sorry for Scott...he now has one of the toughest therapists there ever was! Scott will have tons of incentive to hit the road again soon, if for nothing else than to end the therapy!!!

Seriously, you guys have spread joy wherever you have visited, I think of you both every day You are welcome in my little corner of North Carolina anytime...but you have to stay in the farmhouse next visit!

BYO #434

Edited by Kitfox, 28 March 2025 - 08:59 AM.

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#20 Dob Frog

Ninjamphibian

topic starter

Posts: 9,953
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Loc: Ohio

Posted 28 March 2025 - 08:45 PM

Those of you who have met Diane, feel doubly sorry for Scott...he now has one of the toughest therapists there ever was! Scott will have tons of incentive to hit the road again soon, if for nothing else than to end the therapy!!!

Seriously, you guys have spread joy wherever you have visited, I think of you both every day You are welcome in my little corner of North Carolina anytime...but you have to stay in the farmhouse next visit!

BYO #434

You ain't wrong! Bless his heart.

It's a deal! Oh how I'd like to hang out in the pasture again giving snacks to all the horses, donkeys, and dogs. So peaceful. (And psst #343 )

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#21 Kitfox

Gemini

Posts: 3,012
Joined: 25 May 2022
Loc: North Carolina, USA

Posted 28 March 2025 - 08:59 PM

(And psst #343 )

Full-on hyperbolic dyslexia. And accompanying old-timers. Yes, I am diagnosed!

The boys and girls all still look up the road wistfully remembering the good old days, and wondering where the camper and its wonderful contents went…Kitfox Acres isn’t the same without you three!