Setting-Up a Home Observatory in Your Own Backyard
If you have recently contemplated the idea of a simple backyard observatory, but got discouraged when you couldn’t figure out how to make it work, this article is just for you.
You can wave goodbye to those days when you envied your best friends observatory and only wished you had yours. Keep reading as we discuss common problems to avoid on these projects and steps to follow for success, and just like Jonathan Fay, you can gaze at the starts from your own home.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
As with many other building projects, one has to put some factors into consideration before beginning a backyard observatory project. Here are some potential problems you should avoid before starting.
– Choosing the wrong location: it isn’t uncommon for an amateur astronomer to make mistakes when selecting the location for their first observatory. You can have one close to your house or at a distant location for a better sky. If you value convenience, build your observatory closer to home.
– Beware of local zoning regulations: there’s no point taking the time, energy and money to set up the perfect observatory just to have it knocked down by authorities or face fines for violations. Find out about restrictions of building such a structure in your area and get all required permissions ahead of time.
– The right materials: the use of brick and concrete blocks is trouble for your project. Even closeby parking lots and asphalt walkways are a problem. These materials soak heat during the day and disperse it as radiation at nighttime, making telescopic vision blurry. Stick to with wooden structures and grass surroundings.
– Inadequate budget: cost overrun is a common problem with home observatory projects that many people take for granted. It’s better to double your budget and have leftovers to deal with extra costs like electrical supplies, fencing, takes and more.
– Make room for future adjustments: your telescope of choice today might be a compact 8-inch beauty but who says you won’t have different tastes in three to five years? Build today with extra room for the future in case plans change. Besides, this is a good idea if you’re ever going to have visitors in your private observatory.
Steps To Build Your Home Observatory
After carefully considering the common mistakes above and figuring out how to avoid them, you are ready to begin on your structure.
Step 1- Construct Concrete Slab
Level the ground and lay concrete blocks. Lay 4×4 plywood pieces to create a single 6″ slab. Lay the floor with as a single piece with a pier mount hole right in the middle for mounting your telescope. If you haven’t decided which telescope to get, here are some pretty good suggestions
Step 2- Assemble Walls
Separately create the wall frames. Attach them to the floor of the pier with deck screws.
Step 3- Construct Rolling Rails And Track
Get 4×4 steel plates of 1/4″ and cut them to your preferred size for roll off supports. Chisel holes in the sides for bolts. Get garage door tracks and screw them to the support beams.
Step 4- Assemble Roof
Build gables and attach to the roll-off slider. Add angle braces for extra security (2×4). Attach your roof with screws. Only use screws with rubber wash stoppers to protect against the rains.
Step 5- The Door
Constructs the door with high-quality wood.
Step 6- Weather Proof
Attach wood panels to the front and back to weatherproof. Pain as desired.
Step 7- Electrical Work
Purchase a circuit breaker, wires and PVC conduit for your new observatory. Create different outlets and one for the pier. Your observatory is ready!
We hope you start on your dream project today and get that backyard observatory you have always dreamed about. Share this information with your astrologer friend and have him thank you later.